USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 6
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At the Annual meeting of November, ISII, there is a lengthy report from a committee appointed to look into the matter of proper procedure towards the members that have failed in payment of their dues to the Society. We extract from it as follows: "The petitions from widows and orphans of deceased members which will doubtless be presented at the annual meeting soliciting relief from the. funds, bear an impressive testimony to
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
the correctness of these observations, and while we have the satisfaction of pouring in 'our oil and wine,' to their relief from the respectable amount to which the Funds have arrived by the exactitude of a vast portion of our members, it cannot but operate as a conclusive and irresistible reason that we should dismiss from our Records those Drones who tho' .they possess the means have not the heart to contribute even their pledged mite to the cause of Charity and beneficence."
".Your Committee forbear to personify in this report, those who have replied to the frequent requests of the proper officers for payment of assessments, in terms unbecoming the members of a charitable institution." They then proceed to recommend the expulsion of four- teen members. A letter was read, and ordered to be filed, from Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, respecting Scituate Light ; the annual dinner was ordered for the 13th inst at Concert Hall, and the record ends as follows: " The business of the annual Meeting closed with refreshments."
The 3d December. ISII, a committee reported favor- ably on Capt. Winslow Lewis's modes of lighting Boston and Cape Ann Lights, considering them " far superior to any we are acquainted with in any port of the United States." The Secretary was " directed to address a Letter to John Montgomery Esqr. as a Member of this Society and express the satisfaction the Boston Marine Society feel in his return to this town & to request to know from him whether he still con- siders himself a Member of this Society." It is a matter of doubt whether this vote is a bit of quiet irony. or real Hunkyism.
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
January 7th, 1812, "A Letter addressed to the Presi- dent, from a number of Clergymen of Boston and the neighborhood was read and the following Gentlemen appointed a Committee to confer with them on the subject." What the subject was does not appear at present, but at the succeeding meeting, March 3d, 1812, we learn the object was, "ameliorating the moral and religious condition of Seamen." Verbal reports were made-but are not recited-and it was voted "That the Members of the Boston Marine Society will cheerfully lend their aid in support of the benevolent designs of the Clergy in reforming the Seamen," etc., and a committee was appointed, "to co-operate with the Reverend Gentlemen of the Clergy, and to aid in procuring subscriptions to defray the expenses thereof."
The 7th April, 1812, is chiefly remarkable for the very emphatic definition there given of what is even now a debated question, viz : "That all vessels having Coasting Licences are and ought to be considered as Coasting Vessels, and all vessels that trade regularly between the Ports of the United States-and no others."
The 14th April saw a special meeting called to give special recommendation as to method and management of Scituate Light. Matters of relief, appointment, pro- motion and dismissal of pilots, with other Society mat- ters, unimportant now, continue till the Annual meeting, November 3d, 1812. On that occasion Wm. Smith resigned the office of Treasurer, and is was voted ". That he have the thanks of the Society for his faithful services while Treasurer, a period of seventeen years, in which time the funds of the Society have increased from $5,495 85c to $15,011 94c, making an increase of
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
$9,516 ogc, that is the amount of Stock Specie Value Janry 1795, amounted to $5,495 S5c, and on Nov. 3d, IS12, to $15,011 94c, as it now stands as per schedule & acct on file."
At this meeting it was found that a custom having prevailed for the late President to hold the chair throughout the meeting, when a new President had been elected, was "improper and withal incorrect," it was voted, "That as soon as the new President is elected he immediately take the chair and preside as such & commence the duties of his office &c." Voted, " That the Society have no Annual dinner this year in conse- quence of the distressed situation of Commerce and our beloved Country." .
"The business of the Annual Meeting closed by refreshments and Members all dispersed by ¿ past S P. M."
No business of special record marks the meetings of the Society from this date till Ist March, IS14, when a committee was appointed "to consider the expediency of having a Harbor Master for the Port of Boston and Charlestown, and if expedient to designate the duties to be performed and the compensation he shall receive therefor and report to be made at the next quarterly meeting."
On May 3d, IS14, the Committee reported it of the "first importance to the security and convenience of vessels arriving at these ports that such an officer should be appointed ;" they suggest the appointment should vest in the Governor and Council, and give a full summary of what they conceive should be his powers and duties. They give as furnished by the then Collector of this
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Port, the number of vessels arriving from foreign ports, with their tonnage as follows :
Year.
No. of Vessels.
Tons.
ISO4
S90
112,391
I SO5
920
122,231
I SO6
. IOS3
138,203
I SO7
985
134.836
I SOS
376
48, 187
I 809
524
67,095
1810
727
95,556
ISII
615
92,634
In eight years, - 6,120
SI1, 133
showing an average tonnage per vessel of 132} tons. They say "as the arduous duties of this office will require great energy in their execution a suitable com- pensation should be made to a man of adequate talents," and recommend petitions and suggestions to the General Congress, the Legislature, and Collector of the port.
July 5th, 1814, is the following record : "This meet- ing was called to consider and act upon the following communication from the Selectmen of Boston by their Committee Benj. Weld, Esqr."
JULY Ist, 1814.
To John Holland Esqr, President of the Boston Marine Society :
SIR :- The Board of Selectmen having consulted those Members of the Honorable Council composing the Military Committee under the direction of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and also the Commandant of the Navy department Commodore Bainbridge, and those Gentlemen having recommended among other defences of the Town of Boston, to prepare
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
a number of Hulks to sink in the Channel between Forts Warren & Independence, the Board appointed the undersigned a Committee to see their vote to that effect carried into execution. I have therefore to solicit thro you the aid and advice of the Trustees and such other members of the Boston Marine Society as they shall see fit to appoint, in carrying the order of the Board of Selectmen into effect, it is their wish to obtain a number of Hulks on Loan of those Gentlemen Ship owners who are patriotically inclined to aid in the defence of our Harbor, to receive compensation for such damage as the Vessels may sustain, and in case of total loss that the Vessels should be appraised, at the time they are loaned, in order that a fair price may be paid therefor, and which the subscriber in behalf of the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Boston will give his obligation. It is their request also that a Committee of your Society to ascertain the width and depth of the Channel where it would be necessary to sink the Hulks, and also to enquire for and obtain such Vessels as will answer for this purpose on the above conditions. It is likewise respectfully requested that the Gentlemen of the Marine Society would suggest the best means of raising the Vessels after they are sunk if necessity should require it, and appoint one or more persons to see them prepared and moored in their proper destination, and the necessary expenses attending this business will be defrayed by the Selectmen.
I am most respectfully your Obed. Servt (Signed) BENJN WELD.
one of the Selectmen of the Town of Boston, and a Committee appointed for this special purpose.
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
. A committee of seven, Capt. Holland, Tristram Barnard, Benjamin Rich, Winslow Lewis, Samuel Eames, Seth Webber, and Joseph West, was appointed, to report on this matter at the next quarterly meeting.
At the quarterly meeting, on the 2d August, 1814. the following report was made by this Committee :
BOSTON, 9th July, 1814. Benj. Weld Esqr :
SIR :- Having received a request from you that the Boston Marine Society should raise a Committee to aid, advise & assist you in getting and preparing Hulks &c. The Society met on Tuesday evening last and appointed a Committee of seven who have had two meetings and have considered the business generally. They find the Channell between Governors Island and the Upper middle ground to be about 720 feet wide and twenty four feet deep at low water. It will take four or five Hulks of 220 to 250 tons to block up the channel. The expense of preparing and fitting said Hulks, provided they are not sunk but returned to their owners again would exceed Twelve thousand dollars. If they are sunk it would be impossible to calculate the expense. The practicability of raising them is at least doubtful if they are to continue any considerable time sunk. The injury to the Channel and Town might be of great importance. The Committee therefore think the meas- ure inexpedient and hope some other means of defence will be adopted. Altho it does not immediately come under the instructions of the Committee to advise to other measures, yet as they are placed in responsible situations, they wish to suggest to you the great impor- tance .of Fortifying Noddles Island, a situation that
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Military men acknowledge may command our upper Harbor. Works might be constructed and cannon placed there at a small expense and a small detachment of the artillery do the duty. You would then have a rallying point and cover for a certain part of your Town militia which might in a very short time be put into Forts provided you have boats ready for that purpose. We would also suggest to you, the expediency of having temporary works made on the North Battery Wharf or any other wharf a Military Committee may think best. In case of general alarm there would undoubtedly be great confusion, the men who are to defend your town ought to have works to protect them.
With respect your Obedt Servnts.
Signed by all the Committee. Benj. Weld Esqr and all the Selectmen of the Town of Boston dc:
Time, which changes all things, however, soon changed the Society's opinion. On the 9th September. following, a special meeting was called at Concert Hall, at which forty-one members were present, and the President read the following :
" The undersigned appointed a Committee by the honorable the Council of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, to enquire of the Selectmen and of the Marine Society of the Town of Boston their opinion respecting the expediency and utility of sinking Hulks or other Obstructions in any part of Boston Harbor, for the purpose of impeding the approach of Enemys vessels of War to the Town ; of the facility when the danger has
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
ceased of removing such obstructions, and of the risque of injury which might arise therefrom to the navigation and Harbour of Boston, and also the most advantageous positions for their location should it be deemed safe and desirable to make them, Respectfully request the Presi- dent of the Boston Marine Society to favor them with the opinion above referred to in writing, as speedily as a due consideration of subjects so important will allow.
(Signed) B. PICKMAN JR. COUNCIL CHAMBER,
Thursday noon Septr 8th 1814.
John Holland Esqr President Boston Marine Society.
The subject being, in the words of the record, " freely discussed," a committee of seven was appointed to " draft an answer expressive of the opinion of the Society " and it here follows :
9th SEPTEMBER, 1814. To the Committee appointed by the Honble Council to confer with the Selectmen & Marine Society on the expediency of sinking Hulks in Boston Harbor :
GEN'N : - The Marine Society considering the alarm- ing situation of the Town of Boston deem it expedient that Hulks should be at this time provided, fitted and got to their situation ready for sinking which can be effected in a few hours after orders are given for that purpose. The situation best adapted for effectually blocking up the channel appears to be rising of the upper middle ground above Forts Independence & Warren, a situation where the forts can keep up a .
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
continual Fire on the Enemy, and it will be impossible to approach the Town or remove the Hulks, while we have possession of the Forts. The Channel in the situation pointed out, is about 720 feet wide and twenty four feet deep at low water, it will require five Hulks of 220 to 250 tons to block it up. Common Merchant Ships can have a passage over the edge of the middle ground. Altho some have doubted the practability of raising the Hulks, the general opinion is they can be raised, if proper vessels are procured and fitted in the best manner and we believe it can be done without any injury to the Channel or Harbour. The Society have appointed a Committee of six to aid and assist in procuring the Hulks and preparing the same who will confer with your Honble Committee on the subject. Signed by all the Committee.
Capts. John Holland, Benj. Rich, Tristram Barnard, Seth Webber, Thomas Clements, and Mr. Edward Cruft were made a committee for the conference.
At the Annual meeting, November Ist, IS14, the usual business was transacted, and it was voted to dispense with the annual dinner.
On the 16th January, 1815, a special meeting was held at Concert Hall, when a petition was presented, "from a number of members of the Society and others concerned in Navigation, requesting the Society to make an application to General Government of the U. States to have the Light House at the entrance of Boston Harbour lighted during the winter months, which being read it was Voted, That the President, Capts. Tristram Barnard. Benj. Rich, & Winslow Lewis be a Committee
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
to apply to the Collector of the Port, stating to him the opinion of the Society, the utility and advantage that would result to the Coasting and other Trade, if the prayer of the Petitioners, should be granted."
Whether we are to gather from this that the Lights had hitherto never been shown during the winter, or only discontinued during the war, each must judge for himself. The wording seems to favor the former supposition, though it certainly seems strange that a light, when most needed, should be withheld.
The Ist March, 1815, has reference to a petition, various opinions, and a voluminous letter to the Gov- ernor and Council, on rates and matters of pilotage for the Port of Boston, of little or no present interest, except the following extract from the latter. "The Boston Marine Society beg leave respectfully to repre- sent, that the termination of the late disastrous War, having enabled the Merchants and Ship Owners to resume their peaceful pursuits, & many vessels being about to depart from our port, the pilotage for the Harbour of Boston has become an object of considerable importance, to which the Society would respectfully solicit the attention of the Executive," and the main value of this is in its reference to the termination of the war.
The usual routine business of the Society is recorded from quarter to quarter, officers chosen, relief granted to petitioners for it, discussions of pilotage and pilots. of not interest sufficient to repeat. On the 2d January, 1816, it was voted, " that a Committee be appointed to reply to the Letter of Capt. Winslow Lewis, and to ascertain whether it will be better for the Navigation
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
coming into this Bay, to have the Light house now at Scituate removed to Race point, and if so to form a pettition to Congress on the Subject, and to forward the same as soon as may be found convenient.
Committee, Capts. BENJAMIN RICH, WILLIAM STURGES, GEORGE C. LEE."
February 6th. IS16, it was voted, "that a Petition be prepared by the Committee on Maritime improvements this evening, read and accepted, be signed by them and to be offered to the Collector of Customs of the port of Boston and Charlestown for his approbation and to pro- cure as many Signatures from the Navy officers of the U. States as may be practible,-and to forward the same to Congress as soon as possible, praying that the Light house on Situate be extinguished and to transfer the same to Race point."
" Voted, That a Committee be appointed to take into consideration the letter of Mr. P. H. Brosier, which the president has read and submitted to the Society, respecting the altitudes, and which subject is submitted to the following committee accordingly.
Capts. GEO. C. LEE. BENJA. RICH, WILLIAM STURGES."
February 27th, IS16, a Special Meeting was called to act on a petition of several members of the Society praying that the Society "draft a memorial to Congress', asking a survey of the Coast "from the east end of Long Island to the North eastern extremity of the province of Maine," and " more particularly the Shoal or Shoals of Georges and Nantucket."
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
March 5th, 1816, voted, "that the Secretary be instructed to cause to be published in the Columbian Centinel & Independent Chronicle the following adver- tisement :"
" Whereas information having been given to the Boston Marine Society, that certain persons has been taking Ballast from Nixes Mate, contrary to Law,
Notice is hereby given, that any person or persons that may be found takeing Ballast or Stones from said place, will be prosecuted as the Law directs."
On May 7th, 1816, the President was "requested to wait on the Governor and Council to request that a suitable person be appointed to take care of and pay attention to Nickses mate and to prevent depredations being committed thereon, as far as possible."
At a special meeting, 21st May, "The President having received a letter from Genl H. Dearborn Collec- tor of the Port of Boston and Charlestown respecting a Scite, and to have surveyed Land on which to erect a Light house on Race point, &c., &c.," a committee of Capts. Barnard, Hopkins, Cruft, and Sturgis were appointed for the purpose.
At the same meeting, a committee was appointed to confer with the Collector, and ascertain if he could " defer the building of the Light House in the Vineyard Sound untill it can be ascertained at what place it may be most beneficial to the Vessels passing &c."
October Ist, 1816. The President was " requested to address a letter to his Excellency the Governor and their honors the Council, stating the Situation of a Ballast Lighter now laying sunk in the Channel between Governors Island and Castle Island, and requesting
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
them to consider and make such order respecting the same, as they may judge proper."
At the Annual meeting, 5th November, 1816, among the officers chosen were Capts. Holland, Barnard, and Sturgis, " a Committee to attend to the Regulation of Pilots."
The President was " requested to make a representa- tion to the Govenor and Council praying that they may take into consideration the depredations committed on Governors Island by carrying off the Ballast and doing other injurries to the great damage of Navigation."
January 7th, IS17, " Voted the Trustees do institute a fine of fifty cents to be paid by any and every member of this Body who shall be absent from the monthly meetings one quarter of an hour after the time specified in their notification,"-" the fines to be collected by the Sectry and to be appropriated by vote of the majority of members present."
February 4th, 1817, a committee was appointed " to take into consideration, whether it be or be not expe- dient to Erect a Light house at the East end of Long Island, and to correspond with such other Society. as are or may be appointed to discuss that subject ;" and at the Annual meeting in November following it is recorded, that, " in consequence of the Recommenda- tion of the Committee,"-" this Society do unanimously approve of the same, and request the President Capt. B. Rich to communicate this vote if required."
At a trustee meeting, Tuesday, 7th April, ISIS, "A letter having been received from Mr. Thurston of the Boston moral Society for the Instruction of the Poor, it was moved and Seconded that a Committee be appointed
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
to consider and report on the said Letter at the next quarterly meeting," and at the next quarterly meeting, the 5th May, it was " unanimously Voted, that the report of the Committee on the Subject of the Commu- nication received from Mr. Thurston be accepted." Unfortunately that report is unrecorded.
At the Annual meeting, on 3d November, ISIS, at the Exchange Coffee House, the choice of officers, auditing of accounts, etc., was gone through with, three members were expelled for non-payment of dues, three dismissed at their own requests; other delinquents permitted to remain on the books till the next Annual meeting, "for determination." Relief was voted sundry applicants, and then we find the following entry : " The House being on fire & no expectation of extinguishing it, the meeting is adjourned to Tuesday next at Concert Hall at 6 Oclock."
At the adjourned meeting, on the 10th November, the business of the annual meeting was finished. New books of the By-Laws were ordered. The Committee appointed, reported in favor of a light-house at Long Island, and a copy of their report was ordered to be sent to " Johnathan Mason Esq. our Representative in Congress," and his influence in support of the measure was solicited.
At a trustee meeting, 5th January, 1819, it was " Voted, That the Vote of the Trustees, . at this meeting Tuesday 7th Janry 1817 relating to fines of absent members at the trustee meetings be and now is revived, and that all or any members absent fifteen minutes after the time Specified in the notification, be fined fifty cents each, unless a sufficient excuse be given
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
by such member or members, and that the fines now due or that hereafter may become due, be collected by the Secretary, and the amount expended at the monthly meeting in October for Refreshments, the true time to be ascertained by the watch of the President or Chair- man." Thomas English, Secretary.
February 2d, IS19, " Voted, That the President be requested to write an answer to Solomon Nye and others of Provincetown, relative to the appointing a Pilot, and referring them to the General Court."
The President and Capt. John Holland were made "a Committee to write to the Members in Congress from this District and to Capt. Tristm Barnard on the Subject of Georges Island requesting the aid of Congress for the protection of the said Island." From what it was to be protected is not apparent, but probably from inroads of the sea, or of ballast men.
A special meeting " was held at Barnums Hotel Old Province House," 24th March, IS19, and bears this record : " In Consequence of a Letter received from H. A. S. Dearborn Esqr collector of the Port of Boston & Superintendant of Light Houses in the State of Massa- chusetts, requesting a Committee to be appointed to designate a Site on which to erect a Light house on Long Island in Boston Bay, it is proposed and Seconded that such Committee be appointed to consist of five persons, When the following Gentlemen were nomi- nated Winslow Lewis, Benj. Rich, Wm. Sturgis, Benj. Smith and Nehemiah Parsons."
At a trustee meeting, 6th April, 1819, a communi- cation was received, relating to pilots and pilotage of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Shoals, and a
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Committee of three appointed to look into the mat- ters referred to.
At the quarterly meeting, 3d August, " The Commit- tee on Vineyard Pilots beg leave to report progress, but on account of the sickness of one of the Committee, beg leave to make further report at a future meeting."
At a Trustee Meeting at Forster's Coffee House, Court street, January 4th, IS20, it was voted, "That all the fines heretofore incurred by the Trustees for non attend- ance at the Monthly Meetings, be & are hereby remitted, and the monies collected by the Secretary to be returned, and paid at this meeting."
At a special meeting of the Society held at Forster's Coffee House, Court street, 16th August 1820, "A Quorum of the Society being present, it was moved and Seconded that a Committee of one be chosen, to collect sort and Count the Votes for a Treasurer, to be chosen in the room of Andrew Sigourney Esqr Deceased-when Capt. David Higgins was unanimously elected."
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