The story of the island steamers

Front matter

Google to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books

Preface

It ie solely for the purpose of preserving valuable data and interesting anecdotes in connection with the operation of paet and present steamboats . across Nantucket sound, that the writer preeents this "Story of the Island Steamers" in book form, believing that in so doing he meets the wishes of a large number of persons, both resident and non-resident, who maintain, either by birth, lineage or aseociation, a vital intereet in the islands of Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard, and their past, present and future.

This compilation of facts and anecdotes is the result of many months of careful research through newspaper files, private diaries and family records, ae well as recollections related by aged citizens of the two islands, without whose valued assietance many of the most interesting features of the book would not appear.

While it is impossible to vouch for the authenticity of tlie entire data contained in the following pages, it is undoubtedly as nearly correct as it is possible to make it, in view of the loss of books and records bearing on the first three decades of **steamboating," and of the passing away of the men who, were they alive, could relate details which are lacking and beyond the reach of the present generation.

To Chauncey G. Whiten and Henry B. Worth of New Bed. ford, Elisha T. Jenks of Middleboro, Alfred Bunker of Roxbury, Alexander Starbuck of Waltham, Joshua Smith of Rockland* George H. Furber of Edgartown, Mrs. J. J. Fish, Charlee H. Davis, Arthur H. Gardner, Alanson S. Barney, Judge Thaddeus C. Defriez, Capt. Alden H. Adams and Henry Paddack, of Nantucket, and all other persons who have in any way assisted In the compilation of the historical matter contained in this book, the undersigned feels deeply indebted.

HARRY B. TURNER.

Nantucket, Massi, May 20, 1910.

Contents

Chapter Page

L The First Venture 1-2

Other Steamboat Projects 3

Chapter I

THE history of the steamers which have traversed Nantucket sound covers a period of nearly one hundred years, during which the world has seen a complete revolution in shipping and commerce, has eeen the sloop and packet service give way to the ships and clippers, and sail to steam; has witnessed an improvement in steam navigation until it has apparently reached a stage of perfection. The island service commenced v^en steam navigation was in embryo form, almost before a steamboat had been proven a feasible and practicable means of transportation. It is certain that Nantucket was one of the first places in the United States to become impregnated with the enthusiasm incident to Robert Fulton's successful inauguration of "steam" on the Hudson river in 1807, and but a few years after the famous "Clermont" made her memorable trip between New York and Albany, a steamboat almost as crude in model "was plowing her way across the sound to and from Nantucket — not many months after the first steamer (the "Massachusetts") entered Boston harbor in 1817.

Nantucket was at that period one of the leading ports in the commonwealth, with a population of about nine thousand, and the whaling industry was increasing steadily as the years rolled by. Hence the promoters of this first steamboat line between the island and the mainland were merely keeping "up with the times" and they actually inaugurated the first schedule of steam navigation in New England, for the advent of a steamer in Boston harbor a few months previous was not upon a regular schedule and her trips were mostly in the nature of "excursions."

THE FIRST VENTURE.

The island's commerce and prosperity were receiving at* tention from all quarters of the globe at this period, and even though eteam navigation was practically in its infancy, it was but fitting that Nantucket should be one of the first places on the Atlantic coast to adopt Fulton's invention. The first steamer to cross Nantucket sound was the "Eagle," an awkward littleboat of about eighty tons, which was built at New London, Ct.^ early in the year 1818. This boat made her firet trip to Nantucket on the 5th of May, with about sixty passengers, among whom were Friends to attend the "quarterly meeting," Two weeks later the *Eagle" again visited the island, and on the- 25th of June, 1818, commenced making echeduled trips between Nantucket and New Bedford. The quickest passage which thi& little steamer is said to have made between these two places was on the 30th of July, when she covered the distance in eight hours and seven minutes, without stops.

As will be seen from the accompanying illustration, the- "Eagle" was of peculiar model and queer construction, yet at that period, which was almost the beginning of "steamboating,'^ she was considered a remarkable vessel — a big improvement over the "Clermont," and, as one old diary records it, "very fast and seaworthy." The description of the "Eagle" found among^ old papers is very meagre, and the Bureau of Navigation makes the plain statement that she was 92 feet long, 17.8 feet beam, with ^.8 feet depth of hold, and had a figure head and round stem. It is known that she had two copper boilers and burned wood for fuel — as did all of the steamers running to Nantucket prior to 1842.

To the "Eagle" also belongs the credit for towing the first vessel into Nantucket harbor under steam, this craft being thewhaleship "George," which returned from a Pacific ocean whaling voyage on July 24, 1818, with 2,016 barrels of sperm oil on board. The "Eagle" took the ship in "tow outside the bar and brought her around Brant point, hundreds of the townspeople going to the water front to witness the event.

The ''Eagle'* made regular trips to Nantucket for three months in 1818, but the venture proved unprofitable, through lack of patronage and the heavy expense necessary in operating the steamer, so the promoters of the project gave it up the latter part of September and decided to sell the boat. They found a ready sale for her, and a week after leaving Nantucket the "Eagle" was placed in service between Boston and Hingham, being the first boat to make trips between those places. Nantucket, however, was the first place to have the "Eagle," which fact is worthy of note, even though her service was a financial failure.

The little boat's trips on the Boston-Hingham route were very irregular until the summer of 1819, when she commenced making scheduled passages across the bay, and continued in service there until the year 1821, when she was sold. It is said that the owners of the "Eagle" received as much for the two copper boilers when they sold her as the boat cost when new. The fact that the steamer could not be run with profit either on the Nantucket or the Hingham route would indicate that the cost of operation must have been enormous and the amount of business very light.

OTHER STEAMBOAT PROJECTS.

From the time the "Eagle" left Nantucket on September 21, 1818— until the 20th of May, 1824, no other steamer came to the island, the failure of the first project putting a damper on the idea of steam navigation across Nantucket sound, which could not be shaken off for some years. On the 20th of May, 1824, however, a boat named the "Connecticut" made a trip "under steam," under command of Capt. R. S. Bunker, a Nantucket man who had hie own ideas about the ultimate success of steam navigation and wanted to prove to the islanders that steam was an advantage over sail as a means of communication between Nantucket and the mainland. The island's commerce was growing rapidly, and it is said that Captain Bunker thought he could enthuse enough interest among the island people to start a steamboat line; but in this he failed, for it is noted that the "Connecticut" was the object of little concern at that time, Nantucket's mariners and ship-owners refusing to g,lv^ ^^^5?JjA.

to the belief that eteam propulsion had proved successful and of use to the maritime world. In its issue following the departure of the "Connecticut," the Inquirer commented:

"As ocular demonstration often makes a much deeper and more lasting impression on the feelings and judgment than any other kind of proof, it Is hoped the little specimen of steam navigation lately exhibited to the citizens of this town will remove all doubts, if doubts may still remain, of the utility of a steamboat to ply between Nantucket and the continent."

Chapter II. Brief Service Of The "hamilton."

In the spring of 1828 the steamer "Hamilton" was put on the route between Nantucket and New Bedford, under command of a Captain Luce of Vineyard Haven. She was owned by Barney Corey and James Hathaway, of New Bedford, was built la Philadelphia, and was much smaller than the "Eagle" — ^being a craft of but fifty tons — and was of an even cruder model. This steamer had very little power and could make a trip acrosa Nantucket sound only under the most favorable conditions, being unable to stem a strong wind or head tide, and it is said that when she was obliged to meet these combined adverse conditions, she had to turn about and go the other way. Writing to the Nantucket Inquirer in the early forties, in response to an inquiry regarding the "Hamilton," the late William R. Easton said^

"She was a complete failure as a steamboat, and was built low in the water, with only one deck, and had not power enougrh to get out of her own way. When off Brant point, bound to New Bedford; in the streniTth of the tide, I have seen this boat held at bay for some ininutefi> and when she drew near to Woods Holl, the order would be given, 'Throw under a tar barrel!' and the famous Hamilton would be spirited through by that means. We had at that period ten rope-walks in operation and tar barrels were cheap, and a goodly supply was kept on board the boat for this special purpose. Charles Russelt was agent and clerk. I think the boat was run only one season."

From the above statement it would appear that the "Hamilton" actually was the "tub" that tradition says she waci, and the fact that she burned tar barrels under her boilers would give weight to the statement that the stream of sparks which constantly issued from her stack when under way made the people allude to her as "the Dragon."

During her brief service on the Nantucket route, the "Hamilton'* made one quite notable trip to the island — on the 3d of July, 1828, when she brought thirty-three members of the Ldght Infantry over from New Bedford for the holiday, accompanied by the Middleboro band. This was only the second time Nantucket had ever been visited by a military company, and the Islanders did everything in their power to give the ylBltora a pleasant outing, the ships in the harbor being decorated in their honor. The militia had it6 camp on Mill Hill, but the night of the 3d a severe storm came, and the tents blew down. The town authorities then placed the Lyceum Building at the disposal of the visitors, and they "camped indoors" during the remainder of their stay.

On Sunday the company attended church in full uniform, and on Monday enjoyed the hospitality of the inhabitants, being invited to drill before the mansions of the wealthy merchants, and after the exhibition refreshments were served. ♦Capt. James D. Thompson was in command of the company, and in relating the experience to a correspondent of the Inquirer and Mirror in 1889, he gave the following details:

"One of tliese houses in front of which we drilled was owned by Aaron Mitchell. He was delighted with the exhibition, and when it was over invited us in. With other refreshments were several decanters of liquor, but as it was a rule of the company that no man should touch liquor while in uniform, Mr. Mitchell removed it upon my request. At another place a tub of lemonade was prepared. The outing was a very enjoyable one, and on Tuesday we returned to New Bedford on the Hamilton."

An absolute failure on the island route, the "Hamilton" left Nantucket in the fall of 1828, and it is something of a co- Incidence that she also went upon the Hingham route for a time, as did the "Eagle" before her. Her name was then changed to the "Lafayette," but the boat was In existence only a few years and was then broken up.

The fact should be here stated that some doubt exists in

•Captain Thompson received his commission to a cadetship at West Point in 1824, signed by J. C. Calhoun. After passing through all the gradations of the state militia, Captain Thompson was made Major-General by the Legislature. He often referred to hi»; visit to Nantucket on the crude steamer "Hamilton" as one of the most pleasant and unique events transpiring during his young manhood.

the minds of steamboat authorities as to the proper illustration of the two steamers which first crossed Nantucket sound. Some of them claim that the names appearing on the pictures should be reversed — that the boat shown as the ''Hamilton," being of cruder model and more the style of the first steamers In existence, must have been the 'Eagle," and is illuetrated with the wrong name on her paddle-boxes. All authorities agree, however, that these pictures are without question of the two first steamers in the island service, but opinions differ as to which was actually in service first. However, if statements made in print by the late William R. Easton, Frederick C. 'Sanford, the Hon. John Morissey and others, several decades ago, are to be relied upon, the pictures of the "Eagle" and ^'Hamilton" are correct as they appear at this time.

The same year the "Hamilton" was in service, and four years after her first visit. Captain Bunker again brought the steamer 'Connecticut" to Nantucket. This time she wae towing some kind of a dredging machine, a project being on foot to dig a ship channel from the inner harbor out across the bar. The "Connecticut" arrived in port on Friday, October 24th, 1828, and the following morning the dredger was placed in operation about the wharves, and with her 12 horse-power engine removed a ton and a half of mud a minute on an average, but for lack of finances, the channel was not dug more than a distance of one hundred feet. The day after her arrival, the "Connecticut" started for Falmouth with over three hundred of the Nantucket people on board, but went only a short distance beyond the bar, where the conditions were found too rough to proceed, so the steamer returned to the inner harbor, making a few sweeps before running up to her berth. She returned to New York on the 29th.

Chapter III. Jacob Barker And The "marco Bozzaris."

Following the departure of the "Hamilton/' the next intimation made by the Nantucket Inquirer of any steamboat scheme was in its issue of December 27, 1828, when the editor wrote:

"We are pleased to see the subject of a steamboat between this port and the continent, asrain in agritation. Captain \vllliams is now here to ascertain what investments can be obtained on this island^ towards accomplishing the proposed enterprise. We understand that gentlemen in Boston and New Bedford are friendly to the undertaking and ready to take a liberal portion of shares, so that if now seems to depend principally on the citizens of Nantucket, to say whether a steamboat line shall be established, and we believe every friend to the general prosperity of this town will give his voice In the affirmative."

This project did not materialize, for lack of capital, but in the meantime the famous merchant *Jacob Barker, a wealthy and influential man of Nantucket lineage, who maintained broker's office« in New York and Liverpool, had at his own expense constructed a steamer for the Nantucket service, be-

•Jacob Barker was the fh*st man to ship cotton from this country to St. Petersburg, and he was something of a financial power in those days. At the outbreak of the war of 1812 he was employed by the government to raise a loan of five million dollars, and he was accredited with being successful in every undertaking. In 1825 the merchants and banks of Nantucket became embarrassed; they applied to Jacob Barker and through his agency secured a loan of three hundred thousand dollars, on a pledge of oil to be left on the island. He mediated between the merchants of Nantucket and New Bedford and urged co-operation upon them, thereby restoring confidence in the oil market, and bringing wealth to both places. He supplied the government for seven years with all the oil used in the lighthouses of the United States, and died in Philadelphia in December, 1871, after a remarkable career, at the age of ninety-two years.

lieving that the inauguration of steam navigation of the right sort would prove of great benefit to the island. Barker, by the way, was indirectly connected with the first steamboat which ever appeared in America, for, in 1806, he imported on consignment to himself by a London house, "for Robert Fulton," the first steam engine ever used in the propulsion of vessels.

There is an interesting story connected with the selection of a name for the steamer which he was having built for Nantucket. Mr. Barker wanted a name which had originality, and day after day he pondered over the problem. One morning when he entered his counting room, where he had several young men employed, he noticed one of them sitting with bowed head, as if in deep thought, with a quill pen poised in his hand. "Good morning, Halleck!" said Mr. Barker. "What are you writing. this morning?" "Oh, just a few stanzas, while I was waiting for you to come in," was the reply. "Let me read it and see how it sounds," said his employer. This is what he read:

MARCO BOZZARIS.

At midnight, in his guarded tent,

The Turk was dreaming of the hour • .'*

Should tremble at his power.

"Good!" exclaimed Merchant Barker. "That is just the name for my little steamer!" And the "Marco Bozzaris" she became. The young man was Fitz-Greene Halleck, who later became a poet of some renown, and was the confidential adviser of John Jacob Astor, and a trustee of the Astor Library. His poem "Marco Bozzaris" was considered his master-piece, and it was while in Jacob Barker's employ that it was written, and the little 140-tons steamer which came to Nantucket in the spring of 1829 bore the name of "Marco Bozzaris."

Her first trip across the sound was made on the 29th of: April, under command of Capt. Edward H. Barker, a Nantucket man and a nephew of "Merchant Barker," and the boat was put on the route between Nantucket and New Bedford. It is recorded that on the first trip which this steamer made into New Bedford harbor. Captain Barker ran her on the rocks, and was. so chagrined at the disaster, fearing to incur his uncle's dis*. pleasure, that he bound his solitary passenger and each meniL ber of hi6 orew, under a solemn oath not to mention the incident. Several years afterwards, however, he told the story of the first trip of the ''Marcx) Bozzaris" himself.

As the steamer was originally built, there were some things about her which were not quite satisfactory to the owner, and she was kept on the route but a short time during the year 1829, before it was found necessary to withdraw the boat, in order that some changes might be made in her construction and a larger boiler be put in. She was taken to New York, where the necessary changes were made, and on the 25th of September returned to Nantucket and made frequent trips across the sound until December 6th, when she was withdrawn for the winter. Jacob Barker found little encouragement in his steamboat project among the island's business men, and hesitated about placing the "Marco Bozzaris" in service again, but finally determined to give the scheme another trial, so sent the boat down from New York, and she resumed operations on the 3d of June, 1830.

Much of the pessimism had vanished by this time, however, and the steamer was kept rather busy during the first few weeks of her restoration to the island service. Twice between the 8th and the 15th ehe made a round trip in a day between New Bedford and Nantucket, the first for the purpose of transporting several hundred passengers over to the island to attend the Quarterly Meeting of the Society of Friends, and the second in connection with the "annual shearing" of that year, which was largely attended from the mainland.

THE OLD-TIME SHEARING.

These "shearings" were to the Nantucket people at that

period the greatest fete days of the year — far more important

than Fourth of July. A century or so ago the island had some

ten thousand sheep, which were allowed to roam at will, the

ownership being determined through an ingenious system of

ear-marks. The annual shearing was always held in June, and

the feasts and festivities incident thereto usually lasted four

.. days and were largely attended. Upon the day selected for

- the fete to commence, the thousands of sheep would be assem-

xbled at the shearing pen near Miacomet pond, when the "washing" would start in with considerable ceremony. It usually took two days to do the washing, and the shearing two days more, eo Nantucket's annual festival always consumed the greater part of the week, and the event of the year 1S30 was memorable from the fact that the steamer brought 224 persons over from the mainland to enjoy the good times — the forthcoming "Nantucket shearing" having been given considerable prominence on the Vineyard and in New Bedford for several weeks prior to the occasion. The event was "reported" in the Inquirer of that week as followe:

"About two miles southwest from town, on a spacious plain, are two large enclosures, called sheep pens, containing each about one hundred and fifty acres. The southern pen is adjoining the water, and in this the sheep are collected from all parts of the island and washed^ a few days previous to shearing. They are then removed to the northern pen, in shape something like an isosceles triangle, the eastern part of it terminating in a lane, leading to a number of circular enclosures of different dimensions. Into Utiis western pen the sheep are driven, and, from that, urged, by means of gates and passages, into the circular enclosures, till a convenient number is collected. The owners then select their respective sheep, known by distinctive marks, and convey them to small pens or yards, on the outside of the- largest circular pen, and of forms resembling parallelograms, nearly twenty feet in length and from eight to twelve in width. Immediately contiguous to these small pens, forming a kind of exterior village, are the shearing tents. Under these the patient and uncomplaining animals are shorn of their fleeces, and, what seems cruel, after having been deprived of their wool, an annual tribute to their owners, many are also deprived of a part of their tails, and then let loose to range again at large. This practice we charitably suppose is to improve the health of the sheep; but in a few instances the pieces cut off were so liberal that little will be found to abscind next year.

"The present number of sheep on the island Is about twelve thousand; and if we suppose the fleeces of wool to average two pounds, and the wool to average two cents per pound, the amount will be six thousand dollars. We understand the price of the wool for a few j'ears past has not much exceeded twenty cents — ^and it Is supposed the new tariff will raise it to twenty-five.

"In addition to the ceremonies, cheer and hospitality connected with those immediately engaged In shearing, there Is a large number of tents pitched a little to the northward of the sheepfold, for the special purpose of making pockets lighter and heads and stomachs heavier. In these tents Is fancifully arranged a great variety of eatables and drinkables, so that the most fastidious palates and undistingruished grizzles may be accommodated at a moment's warning. And as a kind of piquant to add a higher relish to the whole entertainment, the fiddle bow is drawn merrily for the amusement of the jolly sons of Neptune, and such lasses as may feel disposed, to Join the 'mazy dance.' This is performed on a temporary floor, some ten or twelve feet in length, and five or six in width. On this, different feats of activity are performed, and various steps taken, which we are wholly unqualified to name, save the double shuffle and the Narraganset back-step.

*'The consequences of a Nantucket shearing on the morals of society are probably similar to the effects produced by an annual military muster — though we believe deleterious; for the number of spectators and of those engaged as hucksters is less than at a muster. And whenever deductions are made which effect the moral character of an individual or a community, all the concomitant circumstances must be taken into the estimation. Thus, if a general review of soldiers, or the annual shearing of the sheep upon this island, could be performed like the ordinary pursuits of life, that is, without the appendages which are always attached to such ceremonies, the moral character of many would be less tarnished, and he who will be at the trouble to investigate the subject, will find the fair promise of many hopeful lads is first sullied, and the charming buds of female delicacy are often first blighted on days of public festivity and amusement — and he will also find that the wisdom of riper years, and even gray hairs, are not at all times exempted from the contagion of 'great days.* "

The "Marco Bozzaris" for a while found it impossible to adhere strictly to a "schedule," as her popularity brought a heavy excursion patronage. She made numerous trips with pleasure parties from Nantucket and New Bedford to various points along the coast, one of the most important of which was on the 6th of July, when 210 persons went from New Bedford to the Vineyard on the steamer, accompanied by the Bridgewater band — which was the first trip ever made by "steam" into Edgartown harbor. The next week she took 150 Nantucket persons over to the Vineyard and this was undoubtedly the first "excursion" ever made between the two islands. The fare for the round trip was 75 cents, and an "orchestra" (three violinists) belonging to Nantucket, went along to furnish music.

FIRST EXCURSION TO HYANNIS.

What the owners of the "Marco" Bozzaris" considered her most exultant trip was made on the 21st of July, 1830, when, bedecked with flags and carrying 230 persons, she went over to Hyannis on an excursion, the details of whicli the Inquirer of that week described as follows:

''The musicians who on this occasion formed a band, made up from part of the Nantucket Band and two or three others who volunteered their services, played in good style as the Marco left the wharf and glided gracefully around Brant point. Soon after, we observed a cotillion party Itormed, but they had not long tripped it on the light fantastic toe before the heat at the weather and the motion of the boat put a complete interdiction upon that favorite and innocent amusement.

Some of the ladies retreated to the promenade deck to inhale the increasing breeze, and others to their berths to be — seasick. When passing the lightboat stationed on Tuckernuck shoal, in honor to the little band of watchful mariners who dwell on that lonely and floating castle, the band on board the Marco played them a fine air to cheer their seclusion from the world.

The party arrived at Hyannis about noon and as the Marco entered the harbor, between a breakwater on one side and rocks projecting from the water on the other, the natural inference was that it is a very difficult and dangerous port to enter in thick, tempestuous weather, and at all times hazardous in the night. The tide would not admit of carrying the Marco up to the principal village, a distance of 2 or 3 miles, which was by many regretted. Some of the citizens* of Nan*' tucket, not in the habit of seeing stone walls, with which the lots contiguous to the wharf are fenced, exclaimed as we aipproached the shore — 'What extensive wood piles they have!*

About 70 of the party dined on board the Marco, for whose accommodation and comfort an excellent dinner had been provided; and the remainder, excepting a few who rode across to Barnstable to refresh, and possibly a few who strolled on the hills to feast on blackberries, dined with Mr. Marchant* who had prepared a dinner in very fine style.

The small village at Hyannis port contains about a dozen dwelling houses and one store. Two of these buildings, Mr. Marchant's and Mr. Scudder's, are large and elegant; the others, though less, exhibit much neatness and look like thee abodes of contentment and competence. Mr. Marchant was very courteous to the strangers whom he entertained, and we believe every part of his commodious and well furnished house was thrown open on this occasion for the accommodation of the party. Contiguous is a small establishment of salt works, and so powerful were the rays of the eun that we could almost see the salt crystalize. As we had not time to visit the principal village of Hyannis, we must adopt the remark of another — ^that it is a pleasant place, has a meeting house for Baptists and another erecting for Universalists.