USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 9
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Respectfully &c &c.
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There is no signature to this, but Thomas B. Curtis was the then President.
At the Annual meeting. 7th November. 1837, at the Exchange Coffee House, the usual business and choice of officers was gone through with, and it was voted. " That a Committee of six Gentlemen be chosen to form regulate and manage the conserns of the Museum and Library, now forming for the Boston Marine Society. and that said Committee shall have full power to con- duct the same." and the Committee was chosen.
The funds and stock of the Society at this time were $27.403.33.
A special meeting of trustees was held on the 11th November, at which a statement was made by " R. C.
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Manners Esqr. his Britanick Majesties Vice Consul," relative to charge of pilotage at this port on British vessels to and from the Provinces. The Committee previously appointed made a full report on the subject, "and to diminish the vexation complained of," recom- mended that "regulations be made to exempt all vessels whose draft shall be less than seven feet," unless services of a pilot were rendered.
At a trustee meeting, 2d January, 1838, the subject matter of lights and light houses of the coast being brought forward, it was voted "That in the opinion of this Board the general character of the Lights on this Coast are good and that much credit is due the depart- ment under whose superintendance the Light houses are placed & for the good order the Light houses evince & the exertions used to maintain efficient light."
Voted, "That the Secretary be requested to write a letter to Stephen Pleasonton Esqr 5th Auditor & acting comm. of the revenue & to transmit to him a certified copy of this vote."
At the quarterly meeting, 6th February, 1838, a com- mittee of two was appointed to examine and report "as to the use & utility of the proposed Fog bell," and the same Committee was instructed to consider the "peti- tion of Mrs. Mellish respecting her Husbands invention, and that they report the result of their opinion on its merits, and if approved they forward a request to Congress in the name of the Society, in aid of her application."
At the next trustee meeting, 6th March, we learn this invention was for "plugging Ships Decks & Sides," and the report thereon was read and accepted. Thanks
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of the Society were voted Capt. R. B. Forbes for "a donation of $47 to the funds of the Society at the last Quarterly Meeting."
The report on the proposed fog-bell, or as we now call it, bell-buoy, is made at this meeting, and in the light of to-day appears odd enough. It seems to have been then claimed as the invention of a Mr. Morse. We extract :
"The Committee readily admitts the great advantage that would accrue to navigation, by embracing with the senses of seeing & feeling (by the lead & line) that of hearing, but they as readily perceive that unless the sound which shall aid the latter shall be permanent & of a distinct character that evils may arise by a reliance upon it.
"Bells, chimes, gongs or artillery appear to present the best expedients, all however requiring manual aid unless the mashineary of Mr. Morse can be applied to the Bell or Gong with permanency & continuous effect.
"The mashineary being to be operated upon by the rise & fall of the tide & the agitation of the waves acting on a moored float, presents to the minds of the Committee several obstacles to be overcome, such as the more or less commotion of waves, the quiescent state of the tides at the periods of high & low water & more especially the accumulation of ice on the chain which connects the mashineary with the float, if these obstacles can be surmounted & the mashineary can be constantly kept in good order, the plan of Mr. Morse may be rendered highly usefull to the purposes designed, relative to all which points the Committee cannot give a very decided opinion, as they have not access to the model
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which they understand is at Washington. They have however seen drawing & had explanations of the mashinary made by a person acquainted with the same.
"If upon the examination of the model by competent judges at Washington, it shall be deemed expedient for an appropriation to be made to try the experiment, the Committee would recommend that it be carried into effect, at the entrance of Boston harbour upon the light house Island, as it would be impossible without incur- ring vast expence to erect the machinery upon the Graves as has been recommended, and they are of opinion that one Bell will be sufficient to test the utility of the ingenious invention of Mr. Morse."
To the Hon. John Davis, Washington, and signed by the Committee ; and certainly no more cautious, non- committal document was ever recorded.
The same Committee report "on the benefits which have accrued to navigation from the invention of Capt. Mellis, of a plan now in general use of plugging ships decks & sides, both in the U. S. Navy & commercial marine ; express our unqualified opinion of its general merits in preventing ships from decay & adding to their beauty & usefullness.
. "The Committee fully concur in the opinion expressed in the recommendation to Congress to which this is attached, and would respectfully request that an appro- priation be made for the benefit of the Widdow & Children of the inventor, which we think would be usefully applied as an encouragement of our Naval architecture, to which this invention has so materially contributed."
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The latter sentence is somewhat straggling and inco- herent, but its meaning can be got at.
At the trustee meeting, 3d April, thanks were voted . S. Pleasanton Esqr 5th Auditor and acting Commis- sioner of the Revenue," for two pamphlets, respecting the light-houses on the coast of the United States.
At the quarterly meeting, Ist May, 1838, held at the Exchange Coffee House, the following preamble and resolutions were presented by Capt. William Austin.
" The Society since the last meeting having been deprived by death of one of its most eminent and illus- trious Members, the sentiments of veneration felt for his character demands the expression of it, on the records of this Society, Therefore Resolved
" That in the lamented decease of the late Honble Nathaniel Bowditch L. L. D., an honorary member of this Society, we find the most ample cause for deep regret & extensive sympathy. We sympathize with the friends of astronomical and mathematical research, with the votaries of commerce & navigation, and most deeply do we condole with his relatives & immediate friends. He hath wrought a good work & rests from his labours.
" An astronomer, a mathematician & navigator him- self, a friend & benefactor has he been to the navigator and Seaman, and few can so justly appreciate the excel- lence & utility of his labours, as the Members of this Society. We have found in them an unerring guide & a familiar introductor to the knowledge of the heavenly bodies, and the use of every instrument and calculation subservient to the purposes of their profession as navigators.
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" His intuitive mind sought & amassed knowledge, to impart it to the world in more easy forms. His life & examples in all their phases, present more to admire & approve than we may hope to see imitated & achieved by another individual.
" The Society will cherish his virtues and hold his character & memory in sacred Veneration, and accord- ingly resolved, That the preseding resolve be entered on the records and that the Secretary cause a copy of the same to be transmitted to the family of the late Nathl Bowditch L. L. D. and likewise published in the papers of this City."
Other vote and resolution in connection with Dr. Bowditch's death, follow, in both of which the L. L. D. is pre-eminently conspicuous, and seems to have been a consolation.
At the quarterly meeting in August, 1838, a committee of three was chosen, "to make a survey of the Minots Ledges, and their opinion of the practicability and expediency of building a light on one of the said Ledges." The Committee were Winslow Lewis, Caleb Curtis, and Henry Oxnard.
At the Annual meeting, in November, the Committee report in favor of the project. They say, " the practi- cability of building a light house, on it that will with- stand the force of the Sea does not admit of a doubt. The importance of having a light house on a rock so dangerous to the navigation of Boston, on which so many valuable lives & so much property has been lost is too well known to need comment." And they ask for a committee to petition Congress for an appropriation and survey; one was accordingly appointed for that
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purpose, consisting of Daniel C. Bacon, William Austin. and Winslow Lewis.
It was voted, that the Committee on the Museum be requested to report their doings at the next quarterly meeting. Funds and property of the Society at this date, $28, 103.33.
The trustee meeting of January, 1839, gives us the petition to Congress, for the survey and appropriation of and for the Minot's Ledge light-house, with a letter from Daniel C. Bacon, then President of the Society, to Hon. Richard Fletcher, at Washington, which last is too well and tersely expressed to be omitted.
BOSTON, Jany 19th, 1839. Hon. Richard Fletcher, Washington :
SIR : At the last annual meeting of the Boston Marine Society, Capts. Winslow Lewis, William Austin, & myself, were chosen a Committee to petition Congress to authorize an appropriation for a survey of Cohasset Rocks in Boston Bay, and that a competent Engineer may be appointed by Government for that purpose, and I now by direction of said Committee enclose to you said petition, and request you will have it presented and will endeavor to have the object of the petition carried into effect.
The rocks referred to are situated nine miles S. E. from the entrance of Boston harbor. Half a mile outside these lies a sunken rock called Minot's Ledge, dry at low water and ten feet upon it at high tide. This last mentioned rock lies in the track of all vessels bound in or out of Boston harbor, has always been a dread to Mariners, and the loss of property upon it the last
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twenty years has been immense, with many valuable lives. The object of the Marine Society in having this survey made, is to ascertain the practicability of building a light-house or beacon on Minot's ledge, of which said Society have no doubt.
There is no spot on the coast of the United States of America, where a light-house may be the means of preserving more lives and property than on this rock, and every person acquainted with its situation cannot but be convinced of the immense importance it would be to the mercantile interests of the Country, to have a light-house erected on Minot's ledge.
I am Sir Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant, DANIEL C. BACON.
Errors of orthography in the foregoing letter have been corrected, as from the the writer's knowledge of Capt. Bacon's epistolary compositions, they are the errors of the recorder rather than the author.
At the quarterly meeting, 5th February, 1839, "A letter from Hon. J. Davis now at Washington to the President respecting apprentices to be taken by the owners of Ships according to Tonnage of Burthen. being read & considered," the same was referred to a "Select Committee of six members."
It was "Moved by the Secretary & seconded by several Gentlemen That a Vote of thanks be given to Caleb Curtis, Thomas S. Dimmock and Francis Dew- son esquires for their friendly aid to the Secretary in collecting the arrearages due to the Society, for their interest and influence in introducing several respectable new members, and for their general good feeling &
.
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support of the Interests & well doeing of this institution. Voted unanimously accordingly."
" The Committee on the museum not having made their report of their doeings this quarter Voted That Capt. Frans Dewson be added to that Committee, & are requested to make a full report at the next quarterly meeting."
It was moved "by Capt. Joseph W. Lewis that an office be provided for the Boston Marine Society and wherein the Books & papers relateing to the Society may be kept and refered to when occasion may require & where the members may call for payment of arrearages or making reports, and seconded by several members, it was proposed to refer the same to a Committee."
At the trustee meeting in April, at the Neptune Insurance Office, letters were read from Hon. Richard Fletcher and Hon. John Davis, the former in answer to Capt. Bacon's letter regarding the proposed light-house on Minot's, and the latter with reference to an appren- tice law. Mr. Fletcher says " the letter was received so late in the session that there is little probability" an appropriation would be made, but adds "I have con- versed with the Chairman of the Committee. & have his opinion that the Committee shall give to the subject their constant attention."-" I will do all in my power to effect the object."
We give Mr. Davis' letter, as appears by the context, to the President of the Society.
WASHINGTON, 23d Jany, 1839.
DEAR SIR: - We have been frequently & urgently requested to make provision by law, requiring all vessels
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clearing for foreign ports, to take out apprentice boys, more or less, according to the Tonnage of the Craft. I am desirous of availing myself of the opinion of the Society over which you preside on this matter, as I have been some fearfull it would impose an additional burden on navigation, which would increase the neces- sity of the competition with foreign Freighters. - ?- The enquiry naturally enough suggests to evince why are not boys now employed if it be for the interests of navigation so to do. May I hope for an early answer? I am &c."
The foregoing letter, in the record, comes after the answer of the Society, extracts from which follow.
" The Committee having consulted with many of our principal ship owners on the matter, found them almost universally opposed to having any law compelling them to take one or more apprentices to ships engaged in foreign trade, and it is the opinion of said Committee should a law be passed requiring any vessel engaged . in foreign Commerce to take apprentices, it would be disapproved by the principal part of the Commercial Community and cause much trouble & inconvenience to all ship owners."
" This Committee are aware that a large portion of the Seamen navigating our ships at this time, are foreigners ; but as long as a sufficient number of Ameri- can Seamen can be obtained to clear our Ships according to law, no ship owner would willingly consent to be burthened with apprentice Boys to his ship."
"Boys from 13 to 16 years of age, when they first commence going to sea are of very little service and cannot do sufficient labor to pay for their board."
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" We are sensible of the importance of having our ships navigated by American seamen, but do not pretend to decide upon the most eligible method of accomplish- ing this object. We would however suggest that a law might be passed requiring all merchants sending ships on foreign voyages. to take one or more boys from 13 to 16 years of age in each vessel for the voyage &c., &c. * * * It is the opinion of the Com- mittee that many of our merchants would not approve this plan, but it would be much less objectionable than the apprentice system & be the means of increasing American seaman full as fast." Signed. Daniel C. Bacon, Richard Soule, Samuel Quincy, Caleb Curtis. Israel Whitney, Winslow Lewis.
Looking from the standpoint of to-day, it seems a pity the apprentice system or the plan suggested had not been fully carried out.
At the quarterly meeting, August, IS39, further preamble and resolutions were passed. having refer- ence to "a large museum of natural & artificial curi- osities," about to be established by some gentlemen, who, it appears, had proposed. under certain condi- tions, to take the Society's collection, and it was asked, "If the Society see fit to accede to the propo- sition alluded to," and to "give up the Cabinet into the hands of the proprietors of the museum, with the further understanding that the various articles are to be considered the property of the Boston Marine Society,", etc. ?
At the trustee meeting, Ist October, 1839, the death of Thomas English, Esq., late Secretary, was announced, and Robert B. Edes chosen Secretary, pro tem.
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It was voted, that " Danl C. Bacon be a Committee to make enquiry concerning the curiosities in the posses- sion of the Boston Marine Society, and of the transfer- ring them to the proprietors of the new Museum now building in this City and report at the next meeting of the trustees."
At a special meeting of trustees, Ist November, 1839, the Committee on the Museum reported, "that in consequence of the derangement in the concerns of the Persons who proposed taking the curiosities &c belonging to the Society, found it not practicable to make any disposition of them at present."
At the Annual meeting, 5th November, at the Exchange Coffee House, seventy-three members were present, fifty-five at supper.
On motion of Thomas Lamb, Esq., Treasurer of the Society, it was voted, " as a token of respect for the memory of their late Secretary the Society grant the sum of One Hundred dollars in addition to the salary due to him at his decease, and that the Trustees allow the same" in settlement with the administrator of the deceased.
A communication was received from Mr. B. F. Greenough, respecting his newly-invented chemical oil," and a committee was appointed to attend an "exhibition of the same." Another committee was appointed to " draft a petition and obtain signatures for a Light house on Minots Ledge." Funds of the Society at this date, $28,803.33.
At the trustee meeting, 7th January, 1840, the Com- mittee previously appointed reported favorably of Mr. Greenough's new chemical oil for light-houses. Copy
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of a very lengthy and well-worded petition, is likewise given, for the light-house on Minot's Ledge; with an equally long and well-worded letter to Hon. Abbot Lawrence, then Member of Congress at Washington, on the same subject.
At a special trustee meeting. Sth May, IS40, voted. "That Thos Lamb Esqr the treasurer of this Corporation. be authorized to receive in behalf of this Corporation, from the Executor of the will of Capt. Thos S. Winslow, late of said Boston deceased. the amount of the legacy given in said will to this corporation. (by the name of the Boston Marine Society) or such sums as the said Executor may now or hereafter pay on account thereof. & on such payment or payments to execute & deliver in behalf of said Corporation a Receipt therefor & an obli- gation to refund in case of need according to the form proposed by said Executor."
At the Annual meeting, 3d November. 1840, "on motion of Mr. Geo. Hallet, it was voted that the Committee that was appointed at the annual meeting IS39 to petition Congress for an appropriation to build a Light House on Minots Ledge. be requested to use their best endeavors to obtain it at the next Congress." The Committee consisted of Daniel C. Bacon. Israel Whit- ney, Winslow Lewis, and Thomas B. Curtis.
The "Inventory of Property belonging" to the Society at this date, shows an amount of $30,003.33.
Various matters. in connection with pilotage and pilots of the port, appear from time to time, with the usual routine business of the Society.
" At a Trustee Meeting held at the Neptune Ins. Office 2d March 1841. A communication from Edward
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Blake Esqr administrator of the Estate of Capt. Dixey Wildes deceased, being read," it was " Voted Unani- mously that in view of the circumstances as stated in this communication, the Trustees of the Boston Marine Society ought not to receive and do hereby decline receiving, the legacy left to the Society by the will of their late highly respected member Capt. Dixey Wildes, Also Voted that the letter of Mr. Blake Administrator be placed on file, and that the Secretary communicate to him the doings of the Trustees in regard to it."
An adjourned meeting of the Trustees was held next day, to nominate " a Commissioner of Pilots and Pilot- age," and Capt. Caleb Curtis was " recommended to the Governor and Council" for that office.
"A Communication from Hon. R. C. Winthrop respecting Minots Ledge was read," and placed on file.
Under date of 14th April, 1841, appears the following letter :
To the President of the Boston Marine Society:
SIR : We request you to call a Special meeting of the Boston Marine Society for the purpose of making arrangements for the coming Funeral Ceremonial for the Death of the late President of the United States Wm Hy Harrison.
Respectfully Your Obt Servts
CALEB CURTIS, WM ROLLINS, PHILO. S. SHELTON, B. T. REED, T. C. SMITH.
The special meeting was called on the 16th, and the following resolutions were offered by John S. Sleeper, and unanimously accepted :
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". Whereas the death of William Henry Harrison the President of the United States, the Hero the Patriot and the Christian, the friend of his Country and the friend of mankind, is justly regarded as an afflicting dispensa- tion of Providence, indeed as a National calamity, which has spread sorrow through the land and clad our Citizens in the habiliments of mourning.
" Therefore Resolved, that the members of the Boston Marine Society fully participate in the general grief for the death of this distinguished man who held the highest Office in the gift of a free People, and who by his last letter addressed to the Collector of Customs in New York proved himself to be the Sailors Friend.
" Resolved, that the Members of this Society fully approve of the course adopted by the City authorities in making arrangements to celebrate the Funeral Obsequies of William Henry Harrison by a public procession and an eulogy ; and will use all their exertions as individuals and as members of the Society, to carry out the wishes, in this respect of the City Authorities.
" And Furthermore Resolved, that a Committee of seven be appointed by the President to retire and report at this meeting any arrangements which it may be considered expedient to adopt for this purpose."
The Committee was appointed, "retired and subse- quently reported, that it be recommended to the Mem- bers in a body to join the Funeral procession on Tuesday next. That the Members appear in a dark costume appropriate to the occasion wearing crape on the left arm. and also wearing a certain badge, which will be prepared for the Members exclusively, that a suitable banner and a flag be borne by members of the Society,
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and the whole to be under direction of the Marshall Capt. James W. Sever."
These resolutions were ordered to be printed in the city papers, and "a printed notice sent to every mem- ber now at home," and it was voted, "that in case Capt. Seaver could not attend to the duties assigned him, then the Committee be authorized to appoint another."
At the quarterly meeting, 4th May, 1841, it was moved by John S. Sleeper, " that a Committee of three be raised to select a convenient and proper room for the keeping of sundry articles (curiosities) being the prop- erty of the Society and report their doings at the next annual meeting." Daniel C. Bacon, Thomas C. Smith, and John L. Dimmock, were appointed.
At the quarterly meeting, 3d August, IS41, held at the Exchange Coffee House, thirty-three members were present, thirty-one at supper. " A communication hav- ing been read from Walter Channing, George Blagdon, Ezra S. Gannett and C. F. Adams, a Committee appointed by the Citizens of Boston at a meeting on the 5th May last, to take into consideration the practica- bility of the plan proposed by Mr. M. Vattemare." it was " Voted, that the communication be placed on file, & that the President reply to it stating, that as this Society was instituted solely for Charitable purposes, they can do nothing in their corporate capacity, towards promoting the objects as set forth in that communication, at the same time assuring the Committee of the approval of their plan, by every individual present at the meeting."
We have no record of the purport or purpose of Mr. Vattemare's plan, but no doubt the decision accorded
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
with the objects of the Society, though neither in action or intent, has it ever been " solely charitable."
It was ". Voted that a Committee of Four be chosen to visit Minots Ledge and ascertain the diameter and the situation of the surface of the Ledge at low water spring tides and report at the next Annual Meeting." The Committee was chosen, the President subsequently added, and it was voted, " That the Committee apply to the Collector in the name of the Society, requesting that the Revenue Cutter be ordered to take the Committee to Minots Ledge at such times as they may deem proper to make examination as to its extent."
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