Boston Marine Society
Encyclopedia
The Boston Marine Society (est. 1742) is a charitable organization in Boston
, Massachusetts
, formed "to 'make navigation more safe' and to relieve members and their families in poverty or other 'adverse accidents in life.'" Membership generally consists of current and former ship captains. The society provides financial support to members and their families in times of need; and also actively advises on maritime navigational safety such as the placement of lighthouse
s and buoy
s, and selection of Boston Harbor
pilots
.
In the first century of the society's history the group met at various venues in town, such as the Concert Hall
, Bunch-of-Grapes
tavern, and the Sun Tavern. In 1851 the society conducted its business from quarters on Commercial Street; and later from rooms in the Merchants Exchange
. Since the 1980s the society has operated from offices in the Boston Navy Yard
.
According to maritime historian Samuel Eliot Morison
, the society's meetings "were common ground where all Bostonians interested in seaborne commerce met. The secretary describes it in 1811 as 'composed of upwards of 100 former shipmasters who have retired from sea with adequate fortunes, many of whom are largely interested in the insurance offices and as underwriters, and about 50 of the most respectable merchants and shipowners and gentlemen of the highest stations in the commonwealth. The rest of the Society is composed of the more active and younger mariners who still follow the seas as a professional business.' These last were the men who made the name of Boston famous from Archangel to Smyrna, and east by west to the River Plate and Calcutta."
The society has borne responsibility for safe pilotage in the Boston Harbor
since the 18th century. "Beginning in 1791 and continuing through the present, the society through its trustees is vested with the authority to appoint Pilot Commissioners, who in turn appoint Boston Harbor pilots." It has also published guides such as the 1832 Rules and regulations for the pilotage of the harbor of Boston.
Along with others, the society caused the creation of the Cape Cod Highland Light in 1797. In 1805, the society built the current granite base of the beacon
on Nixes Mate
in Boston Harbor. The society also conducted numerous studies, including one that led to the building of Long Island Head Light
in 1819.
Among the society's many accomplishments in the area of navigation safety are the publication in 1768 of Directions for sailing in and out of Plymouth Harbour; which was produced in connection with the building of Plymouth Light
in that year; the production in 1790 of charts of the coast of America from Cape Breton to the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, in collaboration with Osgood Carleton; and the 1797 publication of Directions for sailing by Cape-Cod light-house.
_at_the_new_york_navy_yard.jpg)
The society has also hosted a number of lectures. In the 19th century, speakers included John Pickering on "telegraphic language" (1833); and Robert Bennet Forbes
(1854).
In 1893 the society began supervising "the operation of school ships "Enterprise
" (1892-1909) and her successor "Nantucket
" (1909-1917, 1921-1940)," affiliated with the Massachusetts Nautical Training School
.
As a focal point for seafaring in general, numerous members have donated various items to the society—model ships; navigation instruments such as telescopes; paintings; scrimshaw
; travel souvenirs; and so on. Visitors to the society's present-day quarters in Charlestown may view some of these objects on display.
Some 18th-century presidents were Thomas Dennie; and Mungo Mackay
.
Among the many members in the 19th century: J.D. Farrell; F.W. Macondray; and Daniel McLaughlin. In the heyday of the clipper ship
, "many were captained or owned by such society members as Bacon, Eldridge, Emmons, Forbes, Glidden, Howes, Lodge, Ropes, Upton, Wales, Watkins and Weld." Some of the 19th-century presidents were Jonathan Chapman; Eben Davis; Charles Emery; Luther Fisk; Robert Bennett Forbes; William Humphrey; James P. Martin; William F. Sturgis
; and Israel Whitney.
Members and officers in recent years include William A. Baker
; Barry Clifford
; William M. Fowler, Jr.; and Soren Willensen.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, formed "to 'make navigation more safe' and to relieve members and their families in poverty or other 'adverse accidents in life.'" Membership generally consists of current and former ship captains. The society provides financial support to members and their families in times of need; and also actively advises on maritime navigational safety such as the placement of lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
s and buoy
Buoy
A buoy is a floating device that can have many different purposes. It can be anchored or allowed to drift. The word, of Old French or Middle Dutch origin, is now most commonly in UK English, although some orthoepists have traditionally prescribed the pronunciation...
s, and selection of Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
pilots
Maritime pilot
A pilot is a mariner who guides ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths. With the exception of the Panama Canal, the pilot is only an advisor, as the captain remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel....
.
Brief history
The society first formed as a fellowship in 1742, and officially incorporated in 1754. Founders included William Starkey, Edward Cahill, Isaac Freeman, Richard Humphreys, Edward Freyer, Moses Bennet, Jonathan Clarke, John Cullum, Joseph Prince, and Abraham Remmick.In the first century of the society's history the group met at various venues in town, such as the Concert Hall
Concert Hall (Boston, Massachusetts)
The Concert Hall was a performance and meeting space in Boston, Massachusetts, located at Hanover Street and Queen Street. Meetings, dinners, concerts, and other cultural events took place in the hall.-Architecture:...
, Bunch-of-Grapes
Bunch-of-Grapes
The Bunch-of-Grapes was a tavern located on King Street in Boston, Massachusetts, in the 17th and 18th centuries. Typical of taverns of the time, it served multiple functions in the life of the town. One could buy drinks, concert tickets, slaves; meet friends, business associates, political...
tavern, and the Sun Tavern. In 1851 the society conducted its business from quarters on Commercial Street; and later from rooms in the Merchants Exchange
Merchants Exchange (Boston, Massachusetts)
The Merchants Exchange building in Boston, Massachusetts was built in 1841 from a design by architect Isaiah Rogers. Centrally located on State Street, it functioned as a hub for business activities in the city.- History :...
. Since the 1980s the society has operated from offices in the Boston Navy Yard
Boston Navy Yard
The Boston Navy Yard, originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard and later Boston Naval Shipyard, was one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States Navy. Established in 1801, it was officially closed as an active naval installation on July 1, 1974, and the property was...
.
According to maritime historian Samuel Eliot Morison
Samuel Eliot Morison
Samuel Eliot Morison, Rear Admiral, United States Naval Reserve was an American historian noted for his works of maritime history that were both authoritative and highly readable. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1912, and taught history at the university for 40 years...
, the society's meetings "were common ground where all Bostonians interested in seaborne commerce met. The secretary describes it in 1811 as 'composed of upwards of 100 former shipmasters who have retired from sea with adequate fortunes, many of whom are largely interested in the insurance offices and as underwriters, and about 50 of the most respectable merchants and shipowners and gentlemen of the highest stations in the commonwealth. The rest of the Society is composed of the more active and younger mariners who still follow the seas as a professional business.' These last were the men who made the name of Boston famous from Archangel to Smyrna, and east by west to the River Plate and Calcutta."
Navigation safety
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, and is located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It is home to the Port of Boston, a major shipping facility in the northeast.-History:...
since the 18th century. "Beginning in 1791 and continuing through the present, the society through its trustees is vested with the authority to appoint Pilot Commissioners, who in turn appoint Boston Harbor pilots." It has also published guides such as the 1832 Rules and regulations for the pilotage of the harbor of Boston.
Along with others, the society caused the creation of the Cape Cod Highland Light in 1797. In 1805, the society built the current granite base of the beacon
Beacon
A beacon is an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a specific location.Beacons can also be combined with semaphoric or other indicators to provide important information, such as the status of an airport, by the colour and rotational pattern of its airport beacon, or of...
on Nixes Mate
Nixes Mate
Nixes Mate, also known as Nixes Island, Nix's Mate and Nick's Mate, is one of the smaller islands in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The island lies about 5 nm from downtown Boston and about 0.6 nm east of Long Island Head Light. The island covers and uncovers with the...
in Boston Harbor. The society also conducted numerous studies, including one that led to the building of Long Island Head Light
Long Island Head Light
Long Island Head Light is an historic lighthouse on Long Island in Boston, Massachusetts. The current brick tower is the fourth lighthouse on the island. The light was first established in 1819, largely as a result of a study conducted by the Boston Marine Society, which had built the daybeacon on...
in 1819.
Among the society's many accomplishments in the area of navigation safety are the publication in 1768 of Directions for sailing in and out of Plymouth Harbour; which was produced in connection with the building of Plymouth Light
Plymouth Light
Plymouth Light, also known as Gurnet Light, is an historic lighthouse located on Gurnet Point at the entrance to Plymouth Bay in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts...
in that year; the production in 1790 of charts of the coast of America from Cape Breton to the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, in collaboration with Osgood Carleton; and the 1797 publication of Directions for sailing by Cape-Cod light-house.
Other activities
In addition to safety, the society has devoted itself to collection and distribution of funds to aid members and their families in times of financial need.Robert Bennet Forbes
Captain Robert Bennet Forbes , was a sea captain, China merchant, ship owner, and writer. He was active in ship construction, maritime safety, the opium trade, and charitable activities.-Captain, opium trader and humanitarian:...
(1854).
In 1893 the society began supervising "the operation of school ships "Enterprise
USS Enterprise (1874)
USS Enterprise, a barque-rigged screw sloop, was launched 13 June 1874 at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, USA, by John W. Griffiths, a private contractor; and commissioned 16 March 1877, Commander George C. Remey in command. She was later commanded by Bowman H...
" (1892-1909) and her successor "Nantucket
USS Nantucket (IX-18)
|...
" (1909-1917, 1921-1940)," affiliated with the Massachusetts Nautical Training School
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a regionally accredited, coeducational, state college offering undergraduate degrees in maritime-related fields, as well as graduate degrees and professional studies. Established in 1891, Mass Maritime is the second oldest state maritime academy in the country...
.
As a focal point for seafaring in general, numerous members have donated various items to the society—model ships; navigation instruments such as telescopes; paintings; scrimshaw
Scrimshaw
Scrimshaw is the name given to handiwork created by whalers made from the byproducts of harvesting marine mammals. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses...
; travel souvenirs; and so on. Visitors to the society's present-day quarters in Charlestown may view some of these objects on display.
Members and officers
Members in the 18th century included William Furness; Daniel Malcom; and John Foster WilliamsJohn Foster Williams
John Foster Williams was an officer in the Massachusetts State Navy during the American Revolutionary war.-Biography:...
Some 18th-century presidents were Thomas Dennie; and Mungo Mackay
Mungo Mackay
Mungo Mackay was a Scottish seafarer from the Orkney Islands who made a fortune in the Boston shipping trades in Massachusetts. Mungo was a highly regarded ship master, successful privateer owner and bonder, and operated a store on Long Wharf in Boston. He was also active in the politics of the...
.
Among the many members in the 19th century: J.D. Farrell; F.W. Macondray; and Daniel McLaughlin. In the heyday of the clipper ship
Clipper
A clipper was a very fast sailing ship of the 19th century that had three or more masts and a square rig. They were generally narrow for their length, could carry limited bulk freight, small by later 19th century standards, and had a large total sail area...
, "many were captained or owned by such society members as Bacon, Eldridge, Emmons, Forbes, Glidden, Howes, Lodge, Ropes, Upton, Wales, Watkins and Weld." Some of the 19th-century presidents were Jonathan Chapman; Eben Davis; Charles Emery; Luther Fisk; Robert Bennett Forbes; William Humphrey; James P. Martin; William F. Sturgis
William F. Sturgis
William F. Sturgis was a Boston merchant in the China trade and the Maritime Fur Trade.-Biography:...
; and Israel Whitney.
Members and officers in recent years include William A. Baker
William A. Baker
William Avery Baker was a distinguished naval architect of replica historic ships and a maritime historian, who was curator of the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Museum at Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1963-1981.-Early life and education:The son of William Elisha Baker and his wife Margaret...
; Barry Clifford
Barry Clifford
Barry Clifford is an underwater archaeological explorer best known for discovering the remains of the wrecked ship Whydah in 1984. The Whydah is the only fully verified pirate shipwreck ever discovered, and, as such, artifacts from the wreck provide unique insights into the material culture of 18th...
; William M. Fowler, Jr.; and Soren Willensen.
Further reading
- Nathaniel Spooner. Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society: through its first century, 1742 to 1842. The Society, 1879.
- Pleasant little breeze; Annual Meeting and Election of Officers of the Boston Marine Society Held Yesterday. Boston Daily Globe, Nov 15, 1893. p. 8.
- Manual of the constitution and by-laws of the Boston Marine Society, began June 1, 1742, incorporated February 2, 1754: Together with a brief history of the society ... its condition April 1, 1896, lists of members and other statistical information. Rockwell and Churchill, 1896.
- William A. Baker. A History of the Boston Marine Society, 1742-1967. Boston, 1968.
External links
- http://www.bostonmarinesociety.org Official website
- http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/node/486 Kiribati spearhead, given by the society to Harvard's Peabody Museum
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/macie_tx/3512195750 Photo of headquarters in Charlestown, MA