USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 5
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
Shipbuilding by James and Joseph Marvel. - "In 1841, James and Joseph Marvel built the ship 'Sophia,' the schooners 'Jane,' 'Eliza Tyson,' and the sloop 'Washington'."
Shipbuilding by Reuben Fish. - "In 1849, Mr. Fish continued the business, his partner having died the previous year." He built : 1. The ship "Emma C. Jones," a whaler, in 1849. 2. The ship "Thomas Nye," in 1851, a whaler, the first clipper ship built on the Acushnet. 3. The clipper ship, "Nautilus," built in 1852, a whal- er, built for Gideon Allen, commanded by Capt. Seabury. 4. The schooner "Simpson Hart," a clipper, built in 1852. 5. The ship "Rainbow," full clipper, a whaler, built in 1852. 6. The ship "Sea Gull," a whaler, built in 1853 for John R. Thornton, commanded by Capt. Nichols. 7. The ship "Othello," for T. & A. R. Nye, com- manded by Capt. Beckerman. 8. The "Sea Nymph," a merchantman for Edward Mott Robinson, commanded by Capt. Harding, of Holmes Hole. 9. The "Speedwell," a whaler, built for Stephen Gibbs and others, commanded by Capt. Gibbs. 10. The "John Milton," for Edward Mott Robinson, built in 1854, the largest ship ever built on the Acushnet up to that time, in the merchant service under com- mand of Capt. McCleave, of Nantucket. 11. The "Japan," a whaler, built in 1855, sold to William G. Blackler. 12. & 13. Two ships on the stocks, one for R. F. Gardner, of Nantucket, commanded by Capt. Starbuck and the other for I. Howland, Jr. & Co., of New Bedford, commanded by Capt. West.
The foregoing pages do not necessarily include all the ships built at the respective yards; they do, however, give a fair idea of the stir that prevailed throughout the prosperous period of that industry.
Reuben Fish. - "Reuben Fish, Esq., is one of the most active, persevering and intelligent business men in this section of the State. For many years past, he has employed a large number of mechanics, furnishing them work in times even when business was extremely dull and unprofitable, and has evinced at all times a disposition to recognize fully that the laborer is worthy of his hire.
Fort Phoenix - Eighty Years ago
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Old Academy Building - Original location
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Mr. Fish has contributed largely to the prosperity of Fairhaven Village, and we trust that his extensive shipbuilding business may be long continued. Some of the finest craft whose keels now vex the waters of the sea, have been launched from his shipyard."
"OBITUARY. Mr. Reuben Fish, formerly a well-known ship- builder, of Fairhaven, died in Mattapoisett yesterday (Sunday, March 28, 1875), The merchant and whaling vessels from his yard were some of the finest that ever sailed from this port."
An Adjunct. to Whaling. - Fairhaven had its windmills some of which had much to do with the implements of whaling. There was the grist mill owned by Nathaniel S. Spooner, which stood on the west side of North Main street not far above North street, that is, on the summit of Dolly Hill. It was destroyed by fire in April 1858. Near the corner of Main and Union streets stood another windmill in the early days before Union street was extended east of Main street.
Another type of windmill 'stood near and north of Fort Phoenix. It was owned and operated by Isaac N. Babbitt, Sr., a blacksmith by trade. This mill was one of the adjuncts of the whaling industry. With a favorable, brisk wind, around whirred the sails of the mill, thus generating power to turn within a large grindstone upon which the tools of the whale fishery were sharpened. This mill went out of commission more than three quarters of a century ago.
Wharfage Rates and the Marine Railway. - Wharfage rates in Fairhaven were low, at least within the range of all pocketbooks, some time ago. For example, an original bill before us states :- "WHARFAGE. Sloop Hero, To South Wharf, August 15, 1805, To seven days at .08, .56. To 203 days at .04, $8.12, Nov. 20, to June 1806.
In May 1849 Capt. West completed his marine railway in Fair- haven, and was in readiness to take up large or small vessels for re- pairs, at moderate charge.
The cost of hauling a vessel on the Marine Railway, 95 years ago, may be ascertained by the following :- "Tariff for 1851. 'Gran- ite' Wharf Marine Railway, Fairhaven, Mass. Vessels hauled up on the following terms, viz : - Single deck, less than 50 tons, $7.00; Single deck, more than 50 tons, and under 200, 121/2 cents per ton ; Double deck, more than 200 tons, 15 cents per ton ; Laying on, less than 100 tons, $2.00 per day; Laying on, more than 100 tons, 2 cents per ton. No charge for the day of hauling and launching,
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stormy days or Sundays. (Signed) James Tripp, 2d, Supt. May 24, 1851."
The first vessel taken up by steam power on a marine railway in this vicinity was one of 225 tons. This was at New Bedford on Friday, December 1, 1865. The horse-power hauling usually con- sumed about three hours, whereas in this instance, by steam-power, the time was about 35 minutes. It was in July 1864, that Mr. Abm. H. Howland contemplated using steam power to haul up vessels at his Marine Railway at City Wharf, New Bedford.
Shipbuilding by Delano & Co. - "The first vessel built at the yard of Delano & Co., Fairhaven, was the schooner, 'Angenett,' 235 tons, for William Wilcox of New Bedford. She was launched in October, 1853, and is in the coasting business. The next was the ship 'Twilight,' 385 tons, for William Phillips. She was launched in June 1854, and commanded by Capt. Isaac Thompkins, of West- port. Then the bark 'Elizabeth Swift,' for Swift & Allen, and named for Mr. Swift's mother. She was launched in November 1854. The next was the schooner 'Cremona,' 176 tons, for J. A. Perry & Co., a coaster, and launched in May 1855. The next was the ship 'Secon- ett,' 400 tons, for Charles Almy. She was launched the last of July in the same year. The next was the ship 'Josephine,' 446 tons, for Swift & Perry, named for Mr. Perry's wife. She was launched about the 11th of April last. The ship now on the stocks at this yard is for Capt. William G. Blackler, 412 tons."
A fine new ship of 432 tons, named the Sullivan, was launched from the yard of Delano & Company of Fairhaven at nine a. m. on Monday, September 1, 1856.
Although shipbuilding was carried on in Fairhaven more than a century and a half ago, we find under the date of May 18, 1860 that there was considerable activity in that enterprise eighty-five years later, as well, as the following discloses. - "SHIPBUILDING IN FAIRHAVEN. The shipyard of Messrs Delano & Co., Fairhaven, presents a brisk and animated appearance, about fifty men being em- ployed there. They have two vessels upon the stocks, a schooner and a bark. The schooner is about 230 tons, and is finished, and will be launched the first of next week. Her dimensions are :- length, 104 feet, breadth of beam 28 feet, depth of hold 9 feet 4 in- ches. She is called the "Samoset" - has for a figurehead an In- dian chief, and on the stern is a representation of an Indian village, all carved in the highest style of art."
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Shipbuilding by William G. Blackler. - William G. Blackler commenced, on Monday morning, October 26, 1863, the building of a ship at the yard formerly owned by Delano & Company, the latter firm being dissolved in 1862.
A new vessel, built by Moses Delano, at the shipyard of Wil- liam G. Blackler, in Fairhaven, for Robert B. Forbes of Boston, was launched in February 1864. She was a hermaphrodite brig (a two- masted vessel, square-rigged forward and schooner-rigged aft), 116 feet in length, 27 feet beam, and 10 feet deep, and about 295 tons burthen.
In 1901 the Masonic Building was presented by Henry H. Rogers to the Freemasons, and the name of the Lodge was changed from "Concordia" to "GEORGE H. TABER." "Uncle" George served in another role. The new schooner "Glacier" was launched at Fairhaven on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 31, 1864, from Wil- liam G. Blackler's shipyard. "The "Glacier" was 250 tons bur- then ; built by Moses H. Delano for whale fishery, for S. Thomas & Co. of New Bedford, to be commanded by Capt. George H. Taber, late of bark "Antelope." The "Antelope" was 105 feet long, with width of 26 feet and 6 inches, and 10 feet depth of hold.
"The new schooner, 'Lottie Beard,' at Capt. W. G. Blackler's shipyard, Fairhaven, is to be launched at four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, September 20, 1866. The vessel was built under the superintendence of Moses H. Delano, an accomplished shipwright. The spars were made by Porterfield Hutchins." "LAUNCHING. The launching of Bark 'New Bedford' at Capt. Blackler's shipyard, this morning (Tuesday, August 4, 1868), was entirely successful. It was witnessed by 500 people or more."
A year or two before this there took place the launchings of the "Andrew Jackson," in 1866 and "Andrew Hicks," in 1867. Then, we read :- "FOR SALE BY AUCTION. On Saturday, Aug- ust 27, at 2 o'clock, P. M. (1870), at the shipyard of William G. Blackler, Esq., Fairhaven, will be sold, in lots to suit purchasers, a lot of oak and pine timber, ship knees, oak and pine plank, old and new spikes, old iron, cordage, blocks, etc. Terms cash. (Signed) George H. Taber, Auctioneer."
"FOR SALE OR TO LET. The new dwelling house situated in Fairhaven, within five minutes walk of the depot. It is adapted exclusively, if required, for two tenements, and furnished with all the conveniences that can be required to make it a first class house.
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The location is exceptionable. It will be ready for occupancy the first of January. Apply to W. G. Blackler. December 12, 1870."
When Capt. Blackler's property on Fort street was sold, the large house was sold to Mr. Loomis for $1,325. Levin Morse bought the cottage at $500.
Moses H. Delano, the Master Shipwright. - The launching of a new schooner, built by Moses H. Delano, of this town, was described by the Standard as follows: "Launching of the William Phillips. Schooner William Phillips was successfully launched from the yard at Fish Island, this afternoon (Thursday, February 19, 1874). The last of her shores were knocked from under her as the clock was striking ten, letting her rest upon the launching ways, which had been well sandwiched with tallow and sperm oil. When the last shore had been taken out she began to move slowly, going towards the water but about six feet in the first fifteen minutes, when she took a sudden start and slid gracefully into the water with flying colors, amid the shouts of some fifteen hundred spectators that had congre- gated on the island, on the bridge and on the wharves in the vicinity. The two steam tugs, which were nearby, loaded with spectators, and locomotive W. D. Peck standing on the railroad track, added their whistles to the chorus. The vessel makes a fine appearance in the water, and when she comes out in full dress her beauty. will be un- excelled. The schooner lies at the wharf near where she was built."
The following, pertaining to ship building was printed in the Star in August 1890: - "Moses Delano is probably the oldest ship carpenter in Fairhaven, says the New Bedford Mercury, and dis- tinctly remembers hearing his father, Joshua Delano, telling about the vessels he built. The number of ships built by Joshua Delano was in the neighborhood of seventy-five. Joshua Delano learned his trade of Abner Pease, who carried on the ship building trade in Fairhaven. A ship yard was located on a little stream that makes into the mill pond from the river and a good sized wharf was located there. Reuben Fish was in company with Joshua Delano and had a shipyard on the north side of the Old South Wharf, where a good many vessels were built."
Yacht Built by Moses H. Delano. - Under the date of January 26, 1869, we read : - "In Fairhaven, Moses H. Delano is building a yacht about the size of the Custom House boat, for Capt. John A. Hawes, on the premises of the latter."
Since boyhood we have heard about the yacht owned by John A. Hawes, but could not get a vivid impression of its beauty. At last
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we have it fully described as set forth in the Standard under the date of June 12, 1869. Not only do we read of the yacht, but also learn of the individuals who were at that time called upon to assist in its construction. "A BEAUTIFUL YACHT. Capt. John A. Hawes, of Fairhaven, has his new yacht 'Whistler' about ready to launch. She is 35 feet long (over all), 32 feet keel, 13 feet beam, and about 17 tons, old measurement, or 10.35 tons new, and, in the opinion of our best mechanics, is a model for beauty and perfection of workmanship; built by the day, of the best materials, and copper fastened throughout. Our old sea captains pronounce her of sufficient strength to 'weather the Cape.' She has fine accommodations for a craft of her tonnage, having a conveniently arranged forecastle and galley combined, two state- rooms, each six feet long, and in her after cabin, which is eight feet long, are two berths, and is well provided with lockers. Her cabin is finished with ash, with black-walnut panel mouldings; ceiling painted white, with gilt panel mouldings. She has two water tanks holding thirty gallons each, and a large ice-chest under the cockpit floor. Designed for a family pleasure boat in her model and con- struction, comfort and safety have been considered more than speed although it is hoped she will sail equal with the average of her class.
'The Whistler' was modeled by John W. Howland of New Bedford. Mr. Moses H. Delano, of Fairhaven, was assisted by Mr. George Eldred. The joiner work was done by Mr. Arnold G. Tripp, of the firm of Tripp & Bourne, assisted by Mr. William Rob- ertson, of New Bedford; the smith work by Mr. E. G. Paull (con- nected with the American Tack Co.) ; her sails by the Messrs. Hitch; spars by Mr. Hutchinson; rigging by Messrs. Butman & Hoeg; and her painting by James Merrihew. For a figurehead she has a 'whistler' duck, which, with the scrollwork on the stern, was carved by Mr. Henry J. Purrington of Mattapoisett. She is steered by a wheel, with quadrant steering apparatus of a novel design which was cast and geared at the Fairhaven Machine Shop.
Mr. Moses H. Delano died in October, 1905, in his 86th year.
Boat Building. - There were the boat-building shops of Wil- liam H. Hursell and James M. Allen, Jr., in our day, besides boat building on a smaller scale by others. The Allen boatshop existed throughout four generations. Eleazer Allen came to Oxford in Rev- olutionary times and commenced boat building, continued by his son, Bartlett, then by his grandson, James M., and then by his great- grandson, James M., Jr., the latter living at 5 Lafayette street, re- tiring in 1915.
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William H. Hursell, also of Lafayette street, built boats for more than half a century. At one time he conducted the boat build- ing business on Privilege street, selling in October, 1877, to John Bailey, father of the late Emily Bliss, widow of Alexander Bliss. Mr. Bailey, in July, 1887, sold to Frank C. Smith of New Bedford, who married Susan E. Libby, in August, 1886. Mr. Hursell died ·in January, 1910, aged 75. Mr. Smith died in March, 1920.
"BOAT BUILDING. The subscriber takes this method to in- form the public that he has built a shop in Fairhaven, a few rods to the north of Rodman's wharf, for the purpose of carrying on the BOAT BUILDING BUSINESS. Boats of all description built after the Newport style at short notice. Long boats, Yawl boats, Moses boats, Whale boats, and in fact boats of all descriptions from the dory up to a thousand tons. (Signed) Robert B. Caswell, for- merly of Newport. Fairhaven, January 11, 1848."
Nearly three quarters of a century ago, William T. Swift was carrying on the boatbuilding business on Higgins wharf.
CHAPTER IV
Shipwrecks
Wreck of the "Libertina." - In the article by Captain Jabez Delano, under the caption "Fairhaven of the Past" written about seventy-five years ago, we find much praise for Roland Gibbs and Capt. Job Stevens. He continues by saying : "The last ship that Capt. Stevens commanded in the India trade was the Leonidas of Fairhaven. Some thirty years preceding this event there was build- ing, in our village, a ship, for parties residing in New York, called the Libertina. She was launched late in the fall and was hastily got ready to be delivered in New York. Job Stevens was selected as her commander. The ship lay in the stream waiting a favorable wind to sail; the lateness of the season and the anxiety to get the ship to her destined port may have induced them to take some risk that under less pressing circumstances would not have been en- tertained. At length a morning came, and with it a northeast breeze. The anchors were lifted and the canvas wings, in cloudy grandeur, swelled with the fascinating yet treacherous breeze, which was in- clined to rise with the sun and thicken as it rose. The ship held on her course westward with increasing velocity and corresponding anxiety. Soon after noon it commenced snowing, and the wind in- creasing as the day drew towards its close, it became apparent that it was too hazardous to attempt to run the Sound, and it was decided to reef down and haul the ship on a wind to the south and thus ob- tain an offing. The progress of getting in sail and reefing, owing to the snow and wind, was slow, and the ship had made more west- ern than the reckoning gave. The snow was blinding thick. They were by computation near midway between Block Island on the east and Montauk Point on the west to pass through which was the sal- vation point at issue. The ship-channel breadth is ten miles, and the extreme shore line twelve. To attain this end the ship was haul- ed on a wind to the south. At this stage so dense was the snow that nothing could be seen a ship's length ahead. The mate of the ship, whose name was Braley, it was said, swung the ship off from the course given, when Capt. Stevens was below examining the chart. Braley was afraid of Block Island, while Capt. Stevens deemed the point of danger to be Long Island. In the midst of this conflict of opinion the ship struck with a deadening crash. Capt. Stevens was heard to express himself thus : 'I wish my head was under her keel.'
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But Capt. Stevens was a young man at this time, and many years of conflict and life struggle was in the yet undeveloped future alloted to him, and he was the man to meet them as a man. The precise point of this disaster I could never learn. It was, however, very near the extreme point of Long Island, and a little north of the light- house. The ship struck very near the shore, and here is the only spot where the water is bold, close to the cliffs there being 31/2 fathoms, within a fourth of a mile of the beach. It so happened that there was a house near where the ship struck, and the inmates had discovered the situation, and were soon at the beach. By their advice and aid, the men were hauled on shore, one at a time, each one being seized by two men and carried to the house and placed in charge of the women, the men returning to the wreck for an- other man. So intensely cold was the weather that each seaman as he was rescued from the surf was so palsied by the frost that they could not travel and had to be carried as above stated. On reach- ng the house the women who knew exactly what to do and possessed nerve to do it, had tubs of cold water in readiness. Every seaman's lothing was a sheet of ice, which the women cut from them with shears; then placed their frost-bitten limbs in the tubs of water, until the frost was out ; they were then wrapped in heated blankets and rugs. In this way the entire sixteen were treated and restored without the loss or permanent injuring of a limb. (Signed) D."
Wreck of the "Thetis," 1809. - We find in the Standard, under the date of 1856. "A SAD MARINE DISASTER. The appalling shipwrecks and marine disasters of the past winter (1855- 1856) have brought to our mind the recollection of the sad loss of a Fairhaven vessel nearly a half century ago, by which a large num- ber of persons belonging in this vicinity, were swallowed up in one common grave.
It appears that the sloop Thetis, of Fairhaven, Captain John Taber, master, sailed from the Union wharf, in that town, for Savannah, Georgia, in the early part of November 1809, with 34 persons on board. On the 23d of that month she was upset in a gale of wind off Cape Hatteras, and only five persons were saved. After remaining upon the wreck for seventeen days, enduring hard- ships of the most painful character, they were discovered and taken off by the ship William Henry of Newport, R. I. From the ac- counts that we have directly from one of the survivors, we are led to believe that the sufferings of those five persons upon the wreck during those long, dark days were seldom or never equalled, either
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upon the sea or the land. When rescued, they were just alive and remained in a weak and feeble condition for some time afterwards, though all finally recovered.
The passengers were persons belonging in Fairhaven and vicinity, and were bound to Savannah to engage in business pursuits during the winter. A large proportion of them were mechanics of the different trades. There were nineteen wives made widows by this disaster, between Fairhaven and Oxford Village, and a large number of families were left in a destitute and unprotected situation, the husband and the father being so suddenly removed.
The names of those who were saved were Captain John Taber, Asa French Taber, Amos Kelley, Braddock Gifford and a Mr. Snow. Of these Captain Taber and Mr. Kelley are deceased; the remainder are still living. By this unhappy catastrophe, twenty- nine men, in the vigor and prime of life, were stricken down. It is seldom even in the frequency of the terrible marine disasters at the present time, we are called upon to record one more painful and sad than that of the Thetis.
Of those who were lost, three were sons of Dea. Sherman of Rochester, while all were connected with well-known families in this vicinity. We do not, however, deem it advisable to publish the list of names, as it might recall unpleasant memories in many minds. Tuesday, May 6, 1856." This article was republished in January, 1869. Then Mr. Gifford was the only one living, having taken up his residence in Falmouth.
Nathaniel Proctor and Samuel Proctor, the first in his 26th year, and the second in his 23d year, sons of Samuel and Abigail Proctor, were lost at sea in the sloop Thetis, November 23, 1809.
Wreck of the "Cadmus," 1842. - Let us relate the experience of the crew of the CADMUS, of Fairhaven, quoted from the Mer- cury of Monday, February 13, 1843.
"LOSS OF THE SHIP 'CADMUS,' OF FAIRHAVEN, on a lagoon island in the Pacific Ocean; By J. W. Norton, 1st Officer of said ship. On the night of the 3d of August 1842, as we were steering east with a fine breeze from S. S. W., at 11 P. M., I left the deck in charge of the 2d mate, directing him to have a good look-out kept ahead, which he did. In about half an hour he came down and told the captain there was land in sight, off the lee bow. The captain, myself and the 3rd mate went on deck as quickly as possible, and to our great surprise, found that we were not more
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than 20 rods from the breakers. The wheel was put down instant- ly ; but in luffing we discovered breakers off our weather bow also, so that we were completely hemmed in by them. We then put the wheel up, but before the ship could pay off, she struck on a reef near the shore of a small island not laid down on any of our charts. We then let go the topsail, the topgallant halliards, and sprang to the boats. The starboard and waist boats were stove before they could be got clear of the ship. Taking a more favorable opportun- ity, I succeeded in getting my boat clear of the ship without material injury, with myself and six others in her, and thereby secured the only means of escape from that desolate island. After being in the boat about three hours, I picked up another man, who had been swept by the current as much as two miles from the shore. In the morning I put in towards the ship, and found to my sorrow that she was a complete wreck-all of her spars gone by the board, spare boats stove, her bottom out, and everything out of her, and the remainder of her hull driven up some distance on the reef. Finding a tremendous sea continually breaking over the wreck and reef on which she lay, I did not deem it prudent to attempt a land- ing at that place, as it was impossible to land without getting the boat stove, and but a small chance for any of us to get on shore without being badly bruised by the sharp coral rocks. I, therefore, pulled round to the lee side of the island and landed upon the reef (which I afterwards found encircled the whole island) and hauled the boat on to the beach which I found to be a very te- dious job, as not one of us had a shoe to our feet, and the coral rocks were so sharp as to draw blood at almost every step. After securing the boat we all started for the wreck, a distance of about five miles. We reached it in about two hours when we found the remainder of the crew had got on shore, some of them being badly wounded by the coral, but none had their limbs broken.
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