USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
May 3d, 1803, Capt. Matthew C. Groves makes a communication " relative to a discovery which he thinks he has made to ascertain Longitude." Read and referred to a committee.
On the 7th June. they report " That as the Truth of the Principle adopted by Capt. Groves depends upon Optical Instruments that cannot be procured in this Country the absolute result cannot now be ascertained, but your Committee think the Idea Ingenious & deserving Encour- agement." A committee was appointed to look into the By-Laws and see if they required amendment.
September 6th. 1803. a Committee appointed to look into an "application of the Widow Doane" for relief, "did not think her an object suitable for the Charity of this Society." " Voted Unanimously to represent to Genl Lincoln. Collector of this Port. the immediate necessity of preserving that ancient Land Mark called Nick's Mate in this Harbour and request his recommendation to the Department of State that a Wall be built around said Nick's Mate to preserve it from total destruction by the violence of storms the approaching Season," and a Committee was " appointed to Communicate " the above to Genl Lincoln and confer with him thereon."
65
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
October 4th, 1803, the Committee on the By-Laws report in favor of a petition to the Legislature "to alter so much of the Charter as may be necessary " etc., The report, after debate, was " ordered to be printed " and " the Subject again taken up the first Tuesday in Decr next." "The admission fees were raised to twenty dollars, and the monthly assessments to twenty five cents for each member." "The Committee chosen last Sep- tember to consider the state of nicks Mate made Report, which was referred to the Committee on the Bye Laws, and they are requested to draw up and submit to the Society for consideration a suitable representation to Congress on the Subject."
The annual November report states the increase of the Society's funds during the year to be $645.41.
The 6th December, 1803, the Nix's Mate Committee " beg leave to report the following."
To the Honorable Congress of the United States :
The Boston Marine Society taking a lively interest in all that Concerns the Commercial prosperity of the United States, and feeling it a Duty incumbent on them to point out improvements or advantages which may immediately affect the Commercial interests of this Metropolis beg leave to represent to the Honorable Congress of the United States, the necessity of preserv- ing an ancient Landmark of the greatest importance to the navigation of the Port of Boston, submitting with respectful deference to the National Legislature the following statement.
An Island called Nicks Mate situated about three miles within the Light House, and directly on one side
66
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
of the two principal Channels, was formerly an Island of more than 3 miles circumference, but from its exposed situation to the Sea, this Island is now reduced to a small heap of sand with a few Rods of the original surface continually decreasing & undermined by the Sea and surrounded by a body of Rocks which originally the foundation & now extending on all sides more than half a mile into the Channels, this Island serves as a land mark to all Vessels coming in through Broad Sound & ships passing through the main channel must necessarily go very near it. To preserve the remnant of this Island from total destruction is the object of this representation. The proprietor Mr. Thomas Knox is willing to cede said Island to the United States for the purpose if Congress in its Wisdom shall think fit to appropriate a sum of money adequate for the building a sufficiently strong Stone Wall round the remains of said Island & for placing thereon a Beacon. It is the opinion of this Society that a great saving to the revenue of the United States would eventually be the consequence of such precaution by preventing many of those accidents to which vessels are ever exposed in dangerous narrow Channels. It is to be feared that before another year the remainder of this Island will be washed away by the force of the Sea in Storms and that the Land will be driven into the main Channel & form some dangerous shoal and the tide then flowing over the foundation .which will be covered at half tides, the danger must increase and accidents become more frequent to Ships entering the Port. From the extent of the above mentioned Rocks and the situation of the neighboring Islands no Buoys or Beacons can hereafter be placed on
67
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
them effectually to answer the purpose when the Island is destroyed.
In behalf the Boston Marine Society dated at Boston 6th Decr 1803.
(Signed) NATHL GOODWIN, Master.
A previously appointed Committee to examine and report upon the method of a Mr. Croswell, to find "the true time" and "the true distance," recommend the same, and " that Mr. Croswells Calculations are Correct Concise and useful."
It was voted, "inexpedient to adopt " the proposed new By-Laws; the Committee was discharged, and " the expenses attending printing &c" ordered to be paid.
At a special meeting, 11th January, 1804, "Capt. N. Goodwin communicated two letters which he had received from Doctr Eustis our Representative in Con- gress requesting of this Society, an Estimate of the probable Expense which would attend the securing the remains of the Island called nicks mate," and a Com- mittee was accordingly appointed to make the estimate, and forward Dr. Eustis, " as soon as possible."
February 7th, 1804, voted "the expenses of the Committee for visiting Nicks Mate be paid from the funds of the Society, amtg $11.00."
Apparently Congress would not make the appropria- tion asked for. On the 16th June, 1804, the Society, through a Committee, memorialized the Governor of the State, Caleb Strong, on the subject. This memorial is virtually a repetition of the one sent to Congress, ending as follows : "The Boston Marine Society
68
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
composed of men who have experienced all the dangers of Navigation, and many of them still in actual service, presume your Excellency will duly appreciate the motives which have actuated their conduct and favorably receive this address which is respectfully submitted." Signed, Ozias Goodwin, Jno. F. Williams, Jas. Prince, Jno. Chapman & Benj. Homans. The Senate, on June 22d. after a preamble. " Resolved that there be allowed & paid out of the Treasury of this Commonwealth, a sum not exceeding Three thousand dollars, to the Treasurer of the Marine Society in Boston, he to be accountable for the same, to be appropriated under the direction of such superintendent as His Excellency the Governor with the advice of Council may appoint," .. for the building a sufficient and permanent Stone Wall on said Island called Nicks Mate," etc., and resolving that " the accounts of the Cost" be laid before Congress for "allowance and payment," the same was "sent down for Concurrence" and " Read & Concurred," by the House, ". H. G. Otis, Speaker."
The next day, 23d June, the Governor and Council appointed Ozias Goodwin "to superintend the building a Stone Wall to secure the Island called Nicks Mate." On August 7th, a committee was appointed to confer with Dr. Eustis upon the same subject. A Committee previously appointed to inquire into the merits of a "Treatise on ' Navigation." by Mr. Osgood Carleton, report favorably, and recommend the "work to the Society & to the public, as a performance which if accurately executed will have a tendency to increase the safety of Navigation, by aiding Navigators in conducting their Vessels from port to port." The Society appears
69
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
now, and for a long time, to have held its meetings at Vila's, No. 17 Court Street, the Concert Hall of their day and ours.
At the Annual Meeting, 6th November, 1804, it was . "Voted in consideration of Capt. N. B. Lyde's being left out as Surveyor-That he be assisted with Forty dollars more in addition to the former grant, to be paid him one half at a time, at the discretion of the Master." The usual " public dinner " was also voted.
The 5th February, 1805, " Voted that Mr. Dearborns information respecting an instrument which he had projected for propelling a vessel forward during a Calm, be committed to the following Committee," Capts. Clement, Barnard, and Homans, and they are to report thereon.
March 5th, 1805, a Committee of Barnard, Chapman, and Dennie, was appointed "to go to the Island of Nicks Mate - so called - view its situation, and report to the Society at their next meeting what can practically be done to secure that valuable land mark," etc. April 2d, the thanks of the Society were voted Wm. Smith, Esq., their "Treasurer for his faithful services in that office for Ten Years past," that his accounts are " per- fectly satisfactory to this Society and further that he be requested to continue in the said office of Treasurer."
At the Quarterly Meeting, 7th May, "The Committee appointed to examine a machine invented by Mr. Dear- born for the purpose of propelling a vessel through the water in a Calm, beg leave to report, they duly waited on that Gentleman and have carefully examined the said Machine, the principles of which were fully and clearly explained to them by the Inventor, and your Committee
70
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
although desirous of rendering justice to Mr. Dearborn for the ingenuity of his invention, are compelled to state, that they are of opinion that the inconvenience attending the bulk and weight of said machine, if so constructed, as to give it the immense force and strength required, would counterbalance any advantages that may reasonably be expected in the course of com- mercial voyages ; they therefore with due respect sub- mit this their report to the further consideration of the Society." Signed, Thomas Clement, jr., Chairman of Committee.
June 4th, ISO5, more report in relation to that " ancient landmark Nicks Mate." "'A strong stone wall must be built round the remains of the same, sixty feet by thirty, not less than fifteen feet high, and to average six feet thick." "The former Committee are requested to continue their services." and " in every way to give their assistance, consistent with the rules and regulations of this Society."
August 6th, ISO5, a letter was read from Capt. John Harvey, "giving an account of his Remarks on the Bahama Banks & Channel :" thanks were voted him and the matter referred to the " Committee on Observations."
November 5th, at the Annual Meeting, further reports were made as to what had been done, and what remained to be done at and about Nix's Mate, its wall, column. etc., and a statement that they had "applied to the Legislature of this State for Four thousand dollars additional sum to compleat the work, which sum was granted."
March 4th, 18o6, a "Committee appointed to draft a Certificate to be used by the Surveyors of the Port of
71
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Boston," make their report and submit a form of certifi- cate. The "Council of this Commonwealth" having asked the "opinion of the Marine Society," with reference to a petition of Boston Pilots for an increase of rates of pilotage, a committee was appointed to " confer with them for that purpose."
Constantly recurring resolutions, reports, and confer- ences as to beacons, buoys, stone columns, wooden tow- ers, etc .. in and about the harbor of Boston, continue. showing conclusively the usefulness of the Society and the high value it held in Federal and State estimation.
August 6th, 1806, in answer to a letter from the School Committee of Lynn, respecting " the Education of the children of deceased Seamen and wishing the aid of the Society in perfecting a plan for that purpose," voted, "that the Master be requested to answer the same & inform ye Gentn, that the Funds of this Society will not imbrace that object."
November 4th, 1806, the Committee chosen to audit the accounts find, " the total amt of Stock is Thirteen thousand one hundred & fifty-five dollars -8%, exclusive of Two hundred forty Eight dollars 62 cents Cash which remains in the Treasurers hands."
After the usual business was gone through, and resolu- tions passed to make Honorary members pay up their arrears, it was voted, " That the Boston Marine Society feel themselves under obligations to Wm. Smith Esqr for the faithful services as Treasurer during the space of Twelve years, and as a token of our grateful respect and regard, the Society request and hereby authorize the Master and Depy Master, to present him in behalf of the Society in such way as they may think most proper.
72
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
with a purse containing Twenty Eagles to be taken from the Funds, and as a remuneration to him for his Expences & services rendered to this institution."
At this meeting, seven members were voted out of the Society, they ". not having complied with the Constitu- tion and Bye Laws thereof."
The year 1So7 seems to have been an uneventful one. The Society met, voted sundry reliefs, admitted sundry members, notified the delinquent ones, took action on the pilots and pilot laws, leaving nothing on record worthy of reproduction.
The 5th April. ISOS, voted " To relieve Mrs. Lyde on her application when her late Husband Nathl B. Lyde lies dead in the house, and the Family in circum- stances of great distress, so as to require immediate assistance - with the Sum of Fifty dollars."
At this meeting. a committee appointed the October previous, report in favor "of amending & inlarging their Charter." They advise no assessments of Honor- ary members " but what they may subscribe or give to the Funds at the time of their admission." Recommend the annual election of a Board of Trustees, "to whose care shall be committed all the prudentials of the Society." and that " they shall take Bonds of the Treasurer at their discretion," and otherwise prescribe their duties.
August 2d, ISOS, a committee was appointed " to confer with General Lincoln respecting the Marine Hospital, and to request his opinion on the expediency of admitting disabled and distressed Seamen into the Hospital, and to take such other measures on the subject as may be necessary to effect the purpose."
73
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Tuesday evening, September 6th, 18OS, bears this record : "Present Capts John Bait, Benj. Homans. Hard Rain with Thunder & Lightning prevented the attendance of members." " Pd Vila for Room $2.00. for Notifications, $2.00."
At the Annual Meeting, Ist November, it was voted, " That the Committee appointed to petition the Legisla- ture for an addition to the Original Charter be authorized to add a clause respecting the Port Wardens, namely that this Society have power to appoint Port Wardens and Surveyors of Ships and Goods on freight when damaged on the Voyage, from among the Members of ye Society and have power to regulate the Fees of Survey accordingly:"
Voted, " To dispense having an Annual Dinner in consequence of the embarrassed State of Commerce &c."
February 7th, 1809, it was voted, "That Mr. John Wilson be recommended to the Governor & Council as a capable Person to be appointed a Branch Pilot," and a . Committee was appointed " to enquire into the State of the Pilotage of the Harbour of Boston."
On the 7th March, 1809, " The Committee appointed 5th April 1808 to apply to the General Court of the Commonwealth for an additional Act to enlarge the powers of our Incorporation, Report that they have attended to that business & now lay before the Society an attested Copy of a Law which passed the Legislature at their late Session for the above purpose," and there is recorded the Act of 1809, now printed in the pamphlet of By-Laws. At this meeting a committee of three was appointed " to enquire into the expediency of removing the Society to meet in some other place, and to enquire
74
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
where a convenient and suitable Room may be found for the Society to meet in future."
May 2d. the Committee reported, that "they had found a convenient Room and other accommodations at the Exchange Coffee House in Congress Street," and the Society " Voted Unanimously that the meetings of the Boston Marine Society shall in future be held at the Exchange Coffee House and that the same Committee be authorized to enter into an agreement for a Room by the year or otherwise," and the meeting was adjourned. to meet next at the hotel above named. a house that most of us remember, and some of us have lived in temporarily. It is noticeable at many of the meetings, that in balloting for new members, rejection is not unusual.
October 3d, ISog, a committee of three was chosen, "to confer with Genl Dearborn the Collector of the Port on the expediency of Building a Stone Column on the Spit of Sand at the Narrows, and to consult on the best mode of carrying such a plan into execution."
Thanks were likewise voted " Wm Tudor Esqr Secretary of the Commonwealth for his attention and services in getting the Additional Act to the Charter passed during the late Session of the Legislature, and that his Account of sums due be ballanced in full up to November 1809." and with the end of this meeting, end the Records of Book A.
In Book B. we first find a copy of the Charter, and the then recently amended By-Laws, followed by signa- tures of many members of the Society.
The first meeting recorded is that of November 7th. ISog. held at the Exchange Coffee House. By the
75
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Treasurer's accounts, it appears the Society had on that date a net sum of credits, amounting to $12,945.94. The usual reliefs were voted, and the ordinary business of the Society gone through with, and it was voted, " That the Society celebrate their Anniversary, and have a Dinner at the Exchange Coffee House the 16th current."
At the meeting of 6th February, ISIo, various resolu- tions were adopted, putting the screws on delinquent members, of whom there seemed more than a fair percentage, and it was submitted by the Committee appointed to report thereon, that the Society should " regulate the manner of making demands of the Execu- tors or Administrators of deceased members within the period prescribed by Law for the settlement of Estates," in order to collect the amounts due. The members of that day, while allowing liberality as well as mercy, to season justice, were evidently indisposed to favor those who had dodged their liabilities.
A Committee was "appointed, to call on Joseph Callender, Executor to the Will of Capt. William Brown deceased Member, and in the name of the Society to ask Mr. Callender what legacy Capt. Brown had left to the Boston Marine Society and to receive the same and give a discharge therefor."
At the next meeting, on March 6th, ISIO, we learn that "according to the Will Mr. Callender paid one hundred Dollars, for which the President gave receipt in full."
At the meetings of May Ist and June 6th, reports and resolutions as to proceedings against delinquent members were in order, with full reports as to experiments of
76
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
new arrangements for reflectors, and other improve- ments of lights for light-houses. carefully watched from well-defined positions in the harbor and bay, occupy several pages, and a communication from Capt. Samuel Hill, as to some "Rocks discovered by him in the South Atlantic Ocean on board the ship 'Otter' of this Port," was also read and referred to the Committee on Observation.
The IIth July meeting, a letter " from General H. Dearborn Collector of the Port" was read. requesting "advice of this Society respecting the most suitable spot whereon to erect a Beacon or Stone Column at the entrance of the Harbor of Boston."
From the record of 4th September. ISIo, we learn that each branch pilot was compelled by law "to keep one good decked Boat of not less than twelve Tons burthen."
At the December meeting, ISIo. is found this record, which must have been an innovation then, and has never been followed, earnestly, as a precedent, since, viz : " Capt. William Machett declined serving as a Port Warden, and he being excused, Capt. Michael Hopkins was unanimously chosen in his stead." When this meeting adjourned, it was "to meet next month at Concert Hall."
February 5th, ISII, a " Petition to the Legislature on the subject of Port Wardens" was read and accepted. What the purport of it, does not appear, but one can scarcely help thinking, it may have been begotten of Capt. Machett's resignation.
A " petition of a Number of Persons on Cape Cod to the Congress of the United States, praying that a Light
77
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
House may be erected on Race Point, with a letter on the subject signed by Wm Gallager a Branch Pilot at Provincetown" was read, "and a Committee was appointed to confer with Genl Dearborn, Collector," and after such conference, " proceed as they shall judge best."
The meeting of April 2d, 1811, is remarkable for this fact, that upon the ballot being cast for the admission of the Hon. Samuel Dana, as member, the result showed "eight black, and two white balls, and he was not admitted a member." The black balls appear in late years to have fallen into disuse.
It seems that some question had arisen as to the meaning of the word "Children," entitled by laws of the Society to relief, and at this meeting, the following " opinion of Judge Parker " was given, as explanatory thereof :-
" The word Children in the 14th Section, technically in legal instruments means all the issue of a man of whatever age, and sometimes means even Grandchil- dren. But in such an Association as that of the Marine Society, it may according to the original meaning of the framers, be restricted to minor Children only, and if such has been the usage in construing the term, I have no doubt such would now be the legal construction.
(Signed) J. PARKER."
The 6th August, ISII, the Committee previously appointed, reported in favor of a light-house and light at Race Point, and a new committee was appointed to " draft a petition to Congress" asking for the same.
78
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
When drafted, "the Seal of the Society be affixed thereto," and " the President be requested to hand the same to the Hon. Josiah Quincy to be by him presented to the Congress of the United States."
Various complaints. recommendations, and commit- tees, are heard and instructed. as to the conduct of the pilot service of Boston. On Ist October, ISII, a "Committee was appointed to confer with Genl Dear- born Collector of the Port respecting the new Light House erected at the entrance of Scituate Harbor " etc. A special meeting was held on the 9th October, when the Committee recommended the Society should " send a request to the Secty of the Treasury to have the lighting of the House suspended until March next to give sufficient time for the Ships now out to return, and to give public notice as early as possible of the time it is to be lighted," and that "if some method could be taken to make the Light different from others in Boston Bay, it would add to the Safety of the Navigator." Other resolutions were passed, and a letter written to the Hon. Albert Gallatin, Secretary of State, on the subject, from which is extracted the following :-
"In this instance Sir it may not be irrelevant to state to you the situation in which this Society is and has been placed for many years to demonstrate more clearly their motives on this occasion. The Boston Marine Society is an Association of old and respectable Ship Masters formed the year 1742, with a view to promote the general interests of navigation and to assist the unfortunate Members and their families, since which period this Society has increased in members and respec- tability, with an accumulation of considerable funds, and
79
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
is now composed of upwards of One hundred former Ship Masters who have retired from Sea with adequate fortunes, many of whom are largely interested in the insurance Offices and as Underwriters, and about fifty of the most respectable merchants & Ship Owners and Gentlemen of the highest Stations in the Common- wealth, the rest of the Society is composed of the more active and younger Mariners who still follow the Seas as a professional business. The importance of this Society connected with the knowledge & experience of its Members, has been recognized by the Legislature of this State in various instances, and their immediate agency and recommendation are necessary to the ยท appointment of Pilots and many other officers connected with the general affairs of Commerce."
This furnishes a very fair summary of the Society, its usefulness and purposes at that dav. The rest of the letter, which is quite voluminous, recites the lights and dangers of the Bay, and pleads for Scituate Light being so distinguished it can be mistaken for no other. This is followed by a petition to Congress, on the same subject, equally liberal in its description of the Bay and the Society ; both signed by Jonathan Chapman, President, and Benjamin Homans, Secretary.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.