USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of shipbuilding on North river, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with genealogies of the shipbuilders, and accounts of the industries upon its tributaries, 1640 to 1872 > Part 10
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In 1796, Albert Smith built a brig for Nehemiah Somes, and in 1797 was built the ship " ROMULUS," 264 tons, of Boston ; owned by Albert Smith, Hanover ; Josiah Smith, builder. This was probably the same " Romulus " which was wrecked and con- demned at Honolulu, H. I., 1849, then fifty-two years old. The Sch. "RESOLUTION " was built by the Smiths about this time. Also, the "DILIGENCE" was probably built before 1799. Half her cost, as per bill, was £1406. Josiah built for Albert Smith, in 1799, the ship " AURORA," 244 tons. The ship-carpenters were : Tilden Crooker,* who, with his boys, worked on a sloop in the same yard in 1802; Elijah Randall, who lived near Randall's Swamp, in Hanover, and others. Two
* See Bridge Yards.
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THE SMITH SHIP YARD.
compasses for the " Aurora " cost £1 4s. The anchors cost, at Reuben Curtis' forge, £81. He also built another vessel the same year, 1799, the ship " CICERO," 227 tons. Elisha Cur- tis, who calked her, lived on the Recompense Tiffany place. Those who worked on her otherwise were : Belcher Clark, Wil- liam Copeland, Benj. Bass, Jr., Elijah Sylvester, Benj. Dwel- ley, Charles Sprague, who lived in the house now occupied by Thomas Hunt, So. Scituate, Isaac Perry, Michael Ford, Mi- chael Stetson, Elijah Randall, Reuben Curtis. Half the ship " Cicero" was sold for £1603 17s. 6d., to Capt. Thomas Smith. The third vessel they built this year, 1799, was the ship "BET- SEY." Elijah Randall and the other men worked on her. During the next year, 1800, they built two vessels, and started a third, a schooner. The first was the ship "DEDALUS." The ship-carpenters were : Benj. Bass, Jr., Elijah Sylvester, Benj. Dwelley, and Isaac Perry, who also made the rudder for £2 8s. Elijah Randall and Timothy Robbins, who also worked on a schooner and a gundalow in this yard the same year, and others. Also in 1800, the ship " NEPTUNE," of 280 tons, for New York parties ; Josiah Smith, builder. Michael Stetson did the joiner work, and also on a brig of 93 tons in 1801. The anchors came from Reuben Curtis' forge ; weighed 2706 pounds, and cost over £89. In 1824, the "Neptune " hailed from New London, and was in the South Seas, whaling; in 1850, in the Indian and Northern Pacific Oceans, and in 1857 was sold and broken up at the Sandwich Islands.
1801 was the " Red Letter" year for these yards. During this year, six vessels were launched from the two Smith yards, all of good size. Josiah Smith was the builder of four, and master carpenter of the other two. No other firm, and no yard on the river except the Wanton Yard, can show a record equal to this ; and to see the quiet spot, at the present writing, it is hard to realize that six large vessels were launched by one firm dur- ing one year, besides many others, all from the shores of Han- over, below the bridge, but such is the fact. The first vessel launched here this year, was built by Josiah Smith for his brother Albert. This was the ship "HANOVER," 281 tons. Ship-carpenters employed on this vessel were Charles Sprague, Michael Ford, Josiah Smith, Jr., Reuben Curtis, who also fur- nished anchors for the "Hanover" for £93 6s. Robert and Joseph Eells did the iron work for $973.26. In January, 1804, the ship "Hanover," then under Capt. Barney, was at Sumatra. Josiah Smith built, for his brother Albert of Hanover, and
91
WM. OR "BILL " CORLEW.
Thomas of Pembroke, and others, in 1801, the ship "GAR- LAND," 280 tons. Ship-carpenters employed on this vessel were Jabez Witherell, Benjamin Dwelley, Turner Stetson ( who also worked on a brig and ship previously on this yard, and was paid £3, 14s. for getting one of these vessels over the shoals), Nath. Stetson, father of Harrison Stetson, who now lives on Spring street, in Hanover ; Isaac Bowen Barker, a Pembroke Quaker, who did planking on a brig and ship pre- viously ; Isaac Cox, Pembroke ; Enos Palmer, of Church Hill ; Reuben Curtis, Elijah Sylvester, who worked planking on many of the vessels, and helped to get them down river ; Job Hall, Abner Magoun ; also Wm. Corlew, or Bill Corlew, as he was familiarly known, who was a descendant of Edward, who came from the north of England prior to 1730, and was wrecked on the beach near the mouth of North River. Many were lost, but Edward was among the saved. William was a good-hearted fellow, but finally succumbed from too much indulgence in the "ardent," a result too common even at this day. Ephraim Stet- son kept a grog-shop, where the drug-store now is, at the Four Corners. That corner was called, by the temperance people, " Stetson's Shoals." The following letter, on the death of Bill Corlew, written by Squire Wood to an old ship-builder, ex- plains itself :
" TUESDAY MORNING, Nine O'clock.
Dear Sir :- I hasten to inform you of the melancholy tidings just received, of the loss of the 'Bill Corlew,' an old and success- ful steamer of 250-horse power. The 'Bill Corlew' has had her hull frequently strained and damaged, while beating in the fog off and on 'Stetson's Rocks,' and though she has long successfully navigated herself, yet repeated disasters had so enfeebled her that her boiler failed about eight o'clock this morning, and she immediately sank, beyond soundings, of course, a total loss. The Distilleries of New England, by whom the 'Bill Corlew' was wholly owned, will shortly have a meeting to settle her concerns, and probably pur- chase or charter one or more steamers to supply her place. It is not expected that it will be so difficult as it has been to supply steamers on this dangerous navigation, as it is reported that the 'Massachu- setts Charitable Society ' intend furnishing several safety barges to ply off ' Stetson's Rocks,' to relieve those who may be wrecked thereon, and save them from the bottomless gulf that beats upon this dangerous place. And it is further currently reported that some humane members of the 'Hanover Temperance Society,' residing on the borders of said Rocks, are now daily acquainting themselves with this navigation, not to supply the place of the 'Bill Corlew,' but with the laudable design, no doubt, of administering relief to
92
BENJ. BASS, SHIPBUILDER.
those unfortunate souls who are here obliged to sacrifice their com- forts and their lives. Any further information shall be promptly communicated.
Yours, &c., SPY.
P. S .- The ' Bill Corlew' was launched in Scituate about the year 1770 ; originally built on the low-pressure principle, but altered to that of the high-pressure about twenty-five years since, since which, by the daring inclination of her commander, she has always borne the highest steam. It is not known whether any passengers were on board at the time her boiler failed ; if so, they must have made a hasty, though reluctant retreat. All property on board was inevita- bly lost, and not a wreck is left behind."
He left no descendants. The next vessels built and launched in 1801 were the ship " FAME " and the brig " FAME." These two vessels were on the stocks at the same time. Among the ship-carpenters employed were Benj. Dwelley, uncle to Capt. Nathan Dwelley, and great-uncle to Robert E. Dwelley, of Hanover ; Nathaniel Stetson, Enos Palmer, Job Hall, Elisha Curtis, Jr., and Jabez Witherell. Josiah and Albert Smith built these vessels together. The same year they launched the Brig't'n "CAMILLA," 108 tons, for Stephen Gorham, Boston. The ship-carpenters were Benj Bass, Enos Palmer, and others. Josiah Smith, Jr., builder. The sixth and last vessel launched in 1801 was the ship " MARY," 211 tons, of Boston. Built for William H. Borman, Josiah Smith, Jr., builder. Benj. Bass and the carpenters who were employed upon the other vessels, worked on, or furnished material for, the " Mary."
The next year, the Smiths built three vessels : The sloop " HECTOR," 61 tons, built in 1802 by Josiah and Albert Smith ; and the same year, 1802, the sloop "BETSEY," 65 tons, built by Josiah Smith, and sold to Plymouth ; afterward owned by Samuel and Abel Lunt, of Newburyport. This was probably the same " Betsey" which is recorded at the Boston Custom House as having been "taken by the French, papers detained, and vessel destroyed." The ship " PEARL " was built in 1802, by Josiah Smith, Jr., and Benjamin Bass, Jr., for Capt. Albert Smith.
Benjamin Bass, who built here, in company with Josiah Smith, was the son of the Rev. Benjamin Bass, first pastor of the First Church in Hanover. He lived on Broadway, near the corner of Spring street, in the house later occupied by his son Elisha, and where Charles Dyer now resides. Benj. Bass has descendants living in Rockland.
93
WM. DELANO AT SMITHI'S YARD.
In 1803 was built the ship " AMERICA," 280 tons, of Balti- more, by Josiah Smith, master carpenter ; Miller Smith, master ; Albert and Miller Smith, owners; and, in 1804, the ship " MERCHANT," 263 tons, of Boston ; Josiah Smith, master carpenter. In 1804-5, Milliar Smith built a ship for Capt. Albert Smith. There was also built here in 1805, the ship " INTREPID," 282 tons, of Plymouth ; Josiah Smith, master carpenter ; owned by Thomas Smith, Pembroke, and Albert Smith, Hanover. They built two vessels in 1806: The ship "LYDIA," 280 tons, of New Bedford, Josiah Smith, master carpenter ; and their second, ship " NEPTUNE," 278 tons, of Boston ; owners, Thomas Smith and others ; Josiah Smith, mas- ter carpenter. This " Neptune " was lost at sea in 1807. In 1807, Thomas Smith built, in Hanover, the ship " UNION," 231 tons. Owners, Albert Smith, Hanover ; Thomas Smith, Pembroke ; Milliar Smith, Scituate, and others. The same year, Josiah built the Sch. "PILGRIM," 62 tons, which he sold, in 1809, to Albert Smith and Edward Eells. After the "Pil- grim," the Smiths did not build any vessels alone, but were interested, especially Josiah, in the vessels built by the Eells for several years ; and in 1810, Josiah Smith and Edward Eells built a schooner in company.
In 1811, William Delano* built a large ship in Hanover, and probably at this yard, viz. : ship " LADY GALLATIN," 358 tons, of Hanover, William Delano, master carpenter ; Miller Smith, master. It took a great deal of liquor, in those days, to build a vessel, which was charged to the vessels as was the material used in building them. This was done on all the yards. The following are copies of two charges from an old account book : "To 78 gallons West India Rum, drunk in the summer of 1811, while at work on vessel * , $104." In 1813, " To 80 gallons Gin and Rum, from March 22nd to August 25th, at 9s., $120." Later, the use of liquors was dis- continued in the yards.
In 1789, the Sch " REVENUE," 27 tons, was built in Han- over, and owned by Robert and Barzilla Eales, Hanover; An- thony Waterman, Sr. and Jr., Scituate. It was afterward sold to Beverly. This was probably built by "Bezal " Eells, as they used to call him, who was a shipwright, f but at what yard he
* See Wanton Yard Chapter, Scituate.
t See Barstow Yard Chapter, for account of the Eellses.
94
EDWARD AND SAMUEL EELLS.
built is not known. Edward and Samuel Eells succeeded to the Smith Yard about 1809-10. (Samuel Eells was Adjutant of the First Brigade, Fifth Division, Second Regiment, Scituate Militia, 1813.) They built the Sch. "MERT," 131 tons, at Hanover ; owners, Albert and Milliar Smith and Edward Eells ; and the ship "SAMUEL," 310 tons ; owners, Josiah Smith, Edward and Samuel Eells, after whom it was probably named. In 1811, they commenced building a very large vessel, which, owing no doubt to results of the destructive Embargo Aet, was not finished until 1815, when it was sold to Mr. Marey. This was the ship " EDWARD," built in 1815, 346 tons, two decks and three masts, length, 102 feet, breadth, 27 feet, depth, 18 feet ; owners, Miller Smith, who was captain of her; Edward Eells, the master carpenter, and Samuel Eells, Hanover. In 1816, they built a brig, which was their last, excepting the ship spoken of in the beginning of this chapter. The Eells were, in 1817, succeeded by the Barstows, as stated elsewhere.
" Poets" were not uncommon among the ship-builders on North River, and the Smith Yard had one who put in rhyme many of the occurrences of his time. A party of prominent ship-builders, and men interested in shipping, went to Scituate Harbor, on horseback, intending to go lobstering, an exenrsion frequently taken in those days. So eventful was their journey that the following description of it was written, which many of the older people "know by heart" :
Come now, my friends, and pray attend, While I to you relate What I've been told. I'll now unfold Of * and his mate.
It happened so, not long ago, There sailed a Yankee fleet ; While on their route, not passage out, They met with a defeat.
From Corners Four, their course they bore, With a light and pleasant gale ; Their course they shaped for Scituate, While under easy sail.
While on this tour, six knots an hour They made by calculation, 1
For 'twas but five when they arrived At their point of destination.
Saml Pela
95
LOBSTER EXCURSION TO SCITUATE IIARBOR.
T'hey moored their ship, and lowered their peak, And hoisted out their barge ; And then did they, without delay, Their cargo soon discharge.
This being done, they then begun To be a little merrie ; And round did pass the social glass. While all hands sung out " Steady."
Then quickly they got under way, And gave the sailing cheer ; The wind was light, and just at night They all for home did steer.
But soon came on a direful storm, Which shattered much their fleet ; And e're next day were cast away, And foundered in the street.
The Frigate was driven on The little smelt brook shoal ; And then she bilged, and quickly filled, And lost was every soul.
The ship astern could now discern Their sad and doleful fate ; And then to save did dangers brave, But, ah ! it was too late.
The head ship wore, and down she bore, Under a press of sail, To give relief ; but with much grief She saw her efforts fail.
Then, with great speed, she did proceed To examine all around ; And of her crew, she found but two Lie prostrate on the ground.
One of them fast, with a lobster gaft Directly through his leg : So bruised was he, no doubt could be,- They took him up for dead.
The other one had now begun To call for some relief ; For, searching round, they quickly found He'd loosened all his teeth.
96
LOBSTER EXCURSION TO SCITUATE HARBOR.
Nor was that all, for in his fall, In trying to get by. On that stone bed he hit his head, Which gave him one black eye.
No time to waste, but in great haste The doctor they did call ; He examined well their wounds, to tell If he could cure them all.
" Be not afraid," to them he said, " Your wounds I soon shall cure ; Now go to bed, and grease your head,- From harm you are secure."
And now 'tis passed, and they at last Are likely to recover ; The doctor says, in thirty days They both may take another.
CHAPTER VII.
BARSTOW'S "TWO OAKS," AND LOWER YARDS. 1760-1846.
THOMAS BARSTOW, CAPT. ROBERT LENTIIAL EELLS, NATHANIEL BARSTOW, THOMAS BARSTOW, JR., COL. JOHN B. BARSTOW, DEA. ELIJAH BARSTOW, ABNER STETSON, MICHAEL FORD, JR., ISRAEL H. SHERMAN, COL. JOIIN BAILEY, CAPT. ELIJAH BAR- STOW. JR., BARKER TURNER, JOSEPH S. BATES.
THOMAS BARSTOW and Capt. Robert Lenthal Eells built at the yard marked, until within comparatively a few years, by two gigantic white oaks, at least three centuries old. The yard was located between Isaac Perry's and Paige's yards. It was occupied by Messrs. Barstow & Eells for about thirty years, when they were succeeded by Mr. Barstow's sons. Thomas Barstow was son of Benjamin and grandson of William. (See Bridge Yard. ) He was born Feb. 27, 1732, and died in 1797. He lived in Norwell, near Palmer's Bridge, by the Third Her- ring Brook, where now resides his grandson, Capt. Elijah Bar- stow. During the Revolution he built several small privateers, some of which were for Mr. Derby, of Salem. It was his brother James who built at the old yard by the Bridge. His brother Gideon, also his nephews, Gideon, Wilson, Benjamin, Elias, and his grand-nephews, James, Calvin, Wilson, and Na- than H., were ship-builders in Mattapoisett, where many of their descendants now live. He was great-grandfather of Benja- min B. and Herbert Torrey, of Hanover.
In 1792, Joshua Barstow, proprietor of Barstow's Forge (see Chapter I.), had a vessel built by his cousins, and named it after his Forge. 1792. Slp., afterward Sch., " NEW FORGE."
98
BARSTOW & EELLS.
37 tons, of Hingham ; owners, Geo. Turner, Nathl. Cushing, Thos. Hubbard, Joshua Barstow, and others. She was built in Hanover. The second member of the firm, Capt. Robert Len- thal Eells, was a direct descendant of John, through Samuel, and Nathaniel and Samuel. John was among the early settlers of Dorchester. His son Samuel commanded a garrison at Dart- mouth, Mass., in King Philip's War, 1676, and married Anna, daughter of the Rev. Robert Lenthal, for whom Capt. Robert was named. Nathaniel, son of Samuel, a graduate of Harvard, 1699, was a minister over the Second Church in Scituate, and married Hannah North, of Hingham, aunt of Frederick, Lord North (afterward Prime Minister of George III.). Samuel, son of Nathaniel, was also a minister, and married Hannah, great-granddaughter of Rev. William Witherell, of Scituate .* Capt. Robert Lenthal Eells lived on the site now occupied by the residence of his great-grandson, Robert E. Dwelley, at Han- over Four Corners. During his partnership with Thomas Bar- stow, he superintended the iron work of the vessels, and Mr. Barstow the wood work. Capt. Eells' blacksmith shop stood on one of Hanover's Four Corners, near his residence, and op- posite the hotel property. The black earth in the field now marks the spot. Capt. Eells also did the iron work of vessels built at many of the other yards. His sons Robert and Joseph succeeded him in the iron or blacksmith trade. His sons Ed- ward and Samuel were shipwrights, and built at North River (see Smith Yards) ; also his nephew, Bezal, who died in Maine. Capt. Robert Lenthal Eells was one of the wealthiest citizens of his day. Barry says, " He was an extensive landholder, a man whose chief greatness consisted in the greatness of his soul ; of unbounded hospitality, charitable, patriotic ; an able officer in the war of the Revolution, who opened his doors cheerfully to all who were engaged in that struggle, and whose daughters evinced their zeal for liberty in ministering to the wants of the soldiers, and in manufacturing cartridges for the use of the companies enrolled in the town." His daughter Bet- sey married Col. John B. Barstow, and his daughter Lucy mar- ried Dea. Elijah Barstow, who, with his brother, Col. John, succeeded to the business at this yard. In other words, two sisters married two brothers, so their descendants are doubly related to this firm. The late John P. Eells, whose widow now
* For a complete account of the genealogy of the Eells family, see Barry's His- tory of Hanover.
John 13 Barton
99
BARSTOW AND EELLS GENEALOGY.
resides at Hanover Four Corners, with her daughter Harriet L., was a grandson of Capt. Robert and son of Samuel, who built on the Smith Yard. John Pierce Eells was born Aug. 12, 1822 ; married Anna Mitchell, Jan. 5, 1848. She was born Oct. 10, 1823. Their children were: 1. Annie Elizabeth, born Nov. 3, 1849 ; married Fred. Stetson, April 3, 1872, and have children : Ethel Pierce, born April 26, 1876 ; Una Wil- liams, born Jan. 3, 1878 ; Helen Wood, born Sept. 6, 1879. 2. Martha Fobes, born Nov. 10, 1854; died June 6, 1856. 3. Harriet Louise, born July 5, 1859. John Pierce Eells died Nov. 25, 1883.
No very large vessels were built by this firm. The merchants used smaller vessels in their trade, large numbers of such craft being employed in the early part of the eighteenth century, in commerce with the West Indies, taking out beef, pork, fish, and oil, and bringing back rice, pitch, spices, and logwood, rum and sugar. Later, when the whaling business increased, there was a demand for larger vessels, and their successors built next to the largest vessels built in Hanover. Messrs. Barstow and Eells were both born in February, 1732. They were cousins, and always companions in life. Mr. Eells died in 1800. Thomas Barstow married Sarah Studley, and had children : Sarah, born Nov. 27, 1754 ; Thomas, born Dec. 20, 1756; Rebecca, born March 8, 1759; Nath., born Oct. 10, 1761 ; John Burden, born Jan. 15, 1764, who died Aug. 6, 1854, aged ninety years ; Molly, born Aug. 1, 1768 ; Elijah, born Feb. 13, 1771.
John B. Barstow was Lieutenant Colonel, Second Regiment, 1815. The Parade Grounds were located on the Indian Fields, in Pembroke, east side of the ponds. John Burdin Barstow, third son of Thomas Barstow and Sarah Studley, born Jan. 15. 1764 ; married Betsey Eells, second daughter of Robert Len- thal Eells and Ruth Copeland. Children : 1. Sarah, born May 21, 1788 ; married Joseph S. Bates. 2. Betsey Eells, born Sept. 22, 1789. 3. John, born Feb. 17, 1791. 4. Jane, born July 24, 1792 ; married David Hersey. 5. Hannah, born Jan. 27, 1794. 6. Edward, born Ang. 27, 1795. 7. Robert, mariner, born Feb. 1, 1797 ; died in England, Oct. 13, 1818. 8. Benjamin, shipmaster, born Dec. 15, 1799. 9. Salome, born July 24, 1801 ; married Haviland Torrey, son of Wm.
100
BARSTOW'S SHIP YARD AT THE "TWO OAKS."
Torrey, of Plymouth. * Dea. Elijah married Lucy Eells, sis- ter of Col. John B. Barstow's wife, and died in 1842. They had children : Nathaniel, born Aug. 1, 1799; Lucy, born Dec. 22, 1801 ; Elijah, born Oct. 2, 1805, now living ; ; Edwin, born July 30, 1811; Abby, born Dec. 6, 1812; Andrew, born Dec. 30, 1813. Andrew left Caldera, So. America, Oct. 2, 1856, master of the Salem ship "Lantao," and was never heard from after.
Thomas Barstow's four sons succeeded him in the business. Later, Nathaniel withdrew, and went to Camden, Me., where he died. Thomas, Jr., John B., and Elijah then built until 1818, when Thomas retired, and Col. John B. and Dea. Elijah continued in business until 1832, when Elijah, Jr., son of Dea. Elijah, bought out his uncle, and went in business with his father, where he continued until 1841. The Barstows built one whaler, for Nantucket, that was fifty-eight years old at last accounts. The first vessel I have any account of, built by the successors to the old firm, was in 1799, ship " RODOLPH FREDERICK," 271 tons, of Boston, built in Hanover, by John B. and Elijah Barstow. Thomas, John B., and Elijah Barstow, in company, built, in 1800-1, a ship, name unknown ; also, in 1800, Sch. "LUCRETIA," 114 tons, of Boston ; John B. Bar- stow, master carpenter. 1801. Sch. "FREDERIC," 107 tons, of Boston, for Nathl. Goddard ; John B. Barstow, master car- penter. 1802. A schooner, name unknown.# 1803. Ship " POCAHONTAS," 279 tons, of Boston, for Capt. John Hol-
* For genealogy of the Barstow family, see Barry's History of Hanover.
t See Briggs' shipyard and genealogy
# Articles of an agreement made and concluded on by and between Thomas Barstow and Elijah Barstow, of Scituate, and John B. Barstow, of Hanover, all in the County of Plymouth, shipwrights, of the one part, and Jonathan Philips and Mathew Allen, both of Harwich, in the County of Barnstable, mariners, as the other part, witnesseth that the said Thomas, John, and Elijah, doth agree to build a schooner of the following dimentions, viz. : forty-five feet keel, sixteen feet eight inches beam, and five feet eight inches in the hold, Federal measurement. The said Thomas, John, and Elijah further agree to build said schooner of good warrantable timber and plank, and to iron her well in every part, and to finish the hull complete, including spars, joiners' work, painting the outside, glazing the cabin windows, and to build the chimney, grave her bottom, pay her waste and decks, and find one pump, and to launch said schooner by the 7th day of April next, in consideration of which the said Jonathan and Mathew do aggree to pay twenty-six dollars per ton, in manner following, viz .: Six hundred and fifty dollars when the schooner is launched, and the remainder by the last day of November follow- ing, and to give good security and interest from the day said vessel is launched. In wit- ness whereof we have hereto set our hands and seals this 22d day of November, 1802.
JONATHAN PHILIPS, MATHEW ALLEN.
Witness :- JOSEPH EELLS, EDMUND SYLVESTER.
.
SHIP'S BUILT BY THOS., JOHN B., AND ELIJAHI BARSTOW. 101
land, Jr., and Nathl. Goddard, John B. Barstow, master car- penter ; and, in 1803, the Sch. "ADAMS," 77 tons, for Dux- bury parties. The brig " CENT " was built by the Barstows in early times ; also the ship " HENNITTA," for Nathl. Goddard. In 1804 they built a ship for Isaac Shearmon. In 1805, they built three ships ; first, ship " PROTECTION," 270 tons, of New Bedford.
The second was the ship " FRANCIS," a whaler, of 291 tons. This vessel was taken by Sir George Cockburn during the War of 1812, but was subsequently released. Sir George Cockburn was detailed by the British Government for cruising on the American coast, and assigned the " Albion," an eighty-four gun ship. He took the " Francis," off Montauk, south of Massachu- setts. Later, he was at the burning of Washington, D. C. After he returned to England, he was ordered to the war ship " Northumberland," to take Napoleon to St. Helena. A young man named Ratcliff was with Sir George during all of the above time, and in 1820 was cast away on Nantucket, where he after- ward lived and died. He was very fond of telling how Napo- leon used to pinch his ears, and talk to him. The "Francis " was whaling in the Pacitic, under Capt. Barzillai Coffin, of Nan- tucket, in 1816. She was sold in 1825, and foundered at sea in 1826. The third vessel built in 1805 was the ship "HEN- RIETTA," 279 tons, of Boston, John B. Barstow, master car- penter. In 1806, they built the ship " HENERY," owned at one time in New Bedford ; in 1807, a ship, sold to Capt. Bar- nea, Nantucket ; in 1808, a ship, sold to Capt. Elijah Nicker- son ; in 1809, ship " GOVERNOR GORE," 302 tons, of Bos- ton, for Thomas Hazard. In 1810, a ship, sold to Capt. Gibbs ; and, in 1810, a ship, sold to Ebenezer Nickerson. In 1811, the ship "ELIZA ANN," 312 tons, of Boston. This vessel was cast away on Sumatra, Aug. 19, 1819, and was a total loss. The ship " ANN " was launched April, 1815, after laying on the stocks during the War of 1812. She was of 340 tons, built for Capt. Hiller, New York. In 1816, they built a ship, probably the " FRANCIS," for a Mr. Marcy ; and the same year, 1816, the " HYCSO," 290 tons, for Zenas Coffin, of Nantucket. She was lost on Huakeine, Society Islands, 1826. In 1817, they built the Sch. " MARINER," for Capt. Smith, of Nantucket. This vessel lasted many years, and was finally sold. Also, in 1817, a schooner, for Mr. Eldridge, of the Cape. They launched two vessels in one month in 1817 : Sch. "LEADER," April,
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