Historic Nantucket, July 1958, Vol. 6 No. 1

Historic Nantucket

NANTUCKET From a lithograph by Ruth Haviland Sutton

JULY, 1958 ANNUAL REPORTS NUMBER

Published Quarterly by

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASS.

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President, George W. Jones.

Vice-Presidents, Howard U. Chase, Burnhaiw N. Dell, Stokeley W. Morgan, Everett U. Crosby, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, W. Ripley Nelson.

Secretary-Treasurer, Miss Ethel Anderson.

Auditor, Ormonde F. Ingall.

Councillors, George W. Jones, chairman; Mrs. Joseph King, Robert C. Cald­ well, term expires 1958; Mrs. Cyril C. Ross, Albert Egan, Jr., term expires 1959; Mrs. William L. Mather, Mrs. William Perkins, term expires 1960; Richard J. Porter, Oswell J. Small, term expires 1961.

Honorary Custodian of Collections, Mrs. Nancy S. Adams.

Custodian of Collections, Mrs. William Mather.

Finance Committee, Stokeley W. Morgan, chairman.

Editor, Historic Nantucket, Miss Alma Robbins, Mrs. Margaret Fawcett Wil­ son, Assistant Editor.

Publicity Committee, Stokeley W. Morgan, chairman, Richard J. Porter.

Exhibits' Publications Committee, Burnham N. Dell, chairman, Mrs. John Bartlett, Mrs. William Perkins, Miss Ruth Haviland Sutton.

Chairmen of Exhibits, Fair Street Museum, Mrs. William Mather; Whaling Museum, W. Ripley Nelson; Oldest House, Mrs. William Perkins; Old Mill, Robert Caldwell; Old Jail, Oswell Small; 1800 House, Mrs. Nancy S. Adams.

STAFF Historical Museum and Friends Meeting House Chairman Receptionist Substitute receptionist Librarian Chairman Receptionist Chairman Receptionist Chairman Receptionist Chairman Receptionist Chairman Custodian Receptionist Substitute receptionist Librarian

Oldest House The "1800" House The Old Gaol The Old Mill The Whaling Museum

Mrs. Miss Miss Miss

William L. Mather Alma P. Robbins Bertha M. Eckert Alice Crocker

Mrs. William Perkins Miss Ethel Clark Mrs. Nancy S. Adams Mrs. Susan M. Cowden Oswell J. Small Chester Faunce Robert C. Caldwell John Greene W. Ripley Nelson Archibald Cartwright Mrs. Herbert Foye Mrs. Charlotte King Mrs. Ellen D. Chace

HISTORIC NANTUCKET Published quarterly and devoted to the preservation of Nantucket's antiquity, its famed heritage and its illustrious past as a whaling port.

VOLUME 6

SSjI

JULY 1958

No. 1

CONTENTS

Nantucket Historical Association Officers and Staff of Historical Buildings -

2

Annual Reports

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4

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10

~

Treasurer's Report

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-

Early Nantucket Artists, by Louise Stark

12

History Making Events of 1958

25

Shawkemo Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society, by Stanley Roy, Chairman Gifts and Donors, 1957 and 1958

29 31

Annual History Award

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-

Shipwrecks Around Nantucket Since 1940

33 34

Prize-winning School Essay by Michael Bachman

Keziah Coffin Fanning's Diary—Continued Legacies and Bequests

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Admission Schedule

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39 -

43 44

Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent free to all members of the Association.

Membership dues are — Annual-Active $2.00; Sustaining $10.00 ; Life—one payment $50.00.

Entered as Second Class Matter, July, 1953, at the Post Office, Nantucket, Massachusetts Copyright 1958 Nantucket Historical Association Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts.

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4

Annual Reports The annual meeting of the members of the Association is scheduled to be held Tuesday, July 15, 1958, and, to expedite the procedure, reports of Chairmen and the Treasurer are recorded here. If any member has questions regarding any report they may present such questions during the business meeting. The Presi­ dent's report will be presented at the meeting.

Admissions Report (Year ending June 1)

Historical Museum and Friends Meeting House Oldest House 1800 House Old Jail Old Mill Whaling Museum Totals

1957-58

1956-57

1955-56

3,203 4,871 1,265 1,865 2,825 20,118 34,147

3,193 4,383 921 3,355 2,832 18,308 32,992

2,728 4,770 1,218 3,313 2,704 15,631 30,364

Membership Report Since the membership of the Association was last reported death has taken eight members, and two resigned. There have been added to the membership two Life Members and eight Annual Members, leaving the total number of members of the Association unchanged.

Deceased Mrs. Mrs. Mrs. •Mrs.

Walter Blair Nelson Brooks George H. Danforth William E. Gardner

David J. Greene Irving Soverino Walter Starbuck Frank C. Taylor

New Members — Life Thomas J. Hallowell, Jr.

Mrs. Weston Rowland

New Members — Annual Caroline Baker Mrs. Marshall E. Baker Mrs. Raymond Foulkrod >Mrs. John U. Kohlaas

Lowell R. Macy Marshall S. Macy Mrs. Cushman McGee Mrs. Mary C. Miliken

5 "Would'st thou know," said Charles Lamb, "what true peace •and quidt mean; would'st thou find a refuge from the noise and clamor of the multitude; would'st thou enjoy at once solitude and society; would'st thou possess the depth of thine own spirit in •stillness, without being shut out from consolatory faces of thy species? Come with me into a Quakers' Meeting."

We welcome all new members to the quietude of the Buildings: the Whaling Museum, the Old Gaol, the Old Mill, the Oldest House, the 1800 House, and remind all that the Friends Meeting House, on Fair Street, is still open for Sunday meetings during July and August, and may be visited any day in the week.

The Historical Museum and Friends Meeting House

BY MRS. WILLIAM L. MATHER, CHAIRMAN

There were 3,203 visitors welcomed to the Historical Museum and Friends Meeting House during the season from June 9 to September 21, 1957.

Mrs. Nancy Adams and Miss Alice Crocker, with Miss Bertha Eckert as substitute, carried on the work of the Museum in their capable manner. Mr. Jay Gibbs as usual kept the grounds in order.

Several volumes of the Vital Records of Nantucket were re­ bound as they are in constant use during the summer.

One of our Council Members, Mr. Oswell Small, donated his services in repairing a badly worn "Ewer" map. The map firmly backed with canvas now hangs in the office of the association.

Sunday Services were held in the Meeting House during July and August. Four lectures were given on alternate Tuesdays during the season.

The Museum lost a faithful worker and friend when Mrs. Alma Backus passed away last year. For twenty-five years she was a familiar figure at Fair Street.

At the close of the season Mrs. Adams resigned to become Chairman of the "1800" House. We have been fortunate in se­ curing the services of Miss Alma Robbins, the editor of "Historic Nantucket," to greet visitors in 1958.

6

The Oldest House

BY MRS. WILLIAM PERKINS, CHAIRMAN

The Oldest House had 4,871 admissions during the 1957-58 season which opened June 9th and closed September 21st.

Miss Ethel Clark served as receptionist. We were very pleased to receive a deer skin from Mr. and Mrs. Edgarton. This can be seen in the "Keeping Room."

Thanks are to be extended to Mrs. Edgarton for the loan of linens.

"1800 House"

BY MRS. NANCY S. ADAMS, CHAIRMAN

We regret that Mrs. John Bartlett who served as Chairman for the past two years felt obliged to resign. Her place has been filled by Mrs. Nancy S. Adams.

Mrs. Bartlett gave able and helpful assistance as Chairman and we appreciate her valuable suggestions.

There have been no major changes during the past year. The two chambers on the second floor would be much more interesting if suitable chairs and candle stands could be added. We hope to obtain these articles in the near future.

Mrs. Susan Cowden was Receptionist for her fifth year and was assisted by volunteer hostesses to whom we extend our thanks and appreciation.

The attendance for 1957 was 1,265 and we hope for even more visitors the coming season. The house and furnishings are well worth a visit.

Old Gaol

BY OSWELL J. SMALL, CHAIRMAN

The paid attendance to the Old Jail during the year 1957 was 1,865. This figure does not include the children who visited.

The Jail was closed for a period due to Mr. King's health, and was closed two weeks early. Mr. King was Keeper for several years before his death and he will be missed.

ANNUAL REPORTS

7

The windows have been repaired with new sash, and wire has been installed between sash and bars to protect the glass.

A few shingles have been replaced on the roof and the fence on the south side has been made sturdier with braces.

Our Keeper, Mr. Chester Faunce, Sr., has been a resident of Nantucket for several years and will do an excellent job for us.

Old Mill

BY ROBERT C. CALDWELL, CHAIRMAN

Until the last week of May, this year, we were very fortunate in not having a maintenance bill of any size due to storms, etc.

However, this is not the case at this writing.

The 8x8 arm that supports two of the vanes has broken off at the main shaft.

Joseph Senecal is now in the process of replacing the arm.

Materials were generously donated by the Island Service Company.

Mr. John E. Greene is again serving as custodian. There is no charge to visit the Mill but voluntary contributions are accepted.

During the last season 2,825 persons visited the Mill.

The WhalingMuseum June 1, 1957 - May 31, 1958

BY W. RIPLEY NELSON, CHAIRMAN

Twenty thousand one hundred and eighteen persons paid ad­ mission fees to the Museum during the 1957 summer season establishing a new all time high record for any season since the opening of the Museum in 1929. This does not include all admis­ sions for members are admitted free as also are children under 12 years of age. This is a remarkable admission record for the short season of approximately four and a half months, especially as most of the transient vacationers visit us during the two months of July and August. Our staff deserves a great deal of credit for the public goodwill and friendship they have built up for the Museum through the able and efficient management, but always with a warm welcome with which they have handled this heavy load.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

The first time that paid admissions reached the 20,000 mark in any season was at 12:35 p.m. on October 3rd when Roland R. Read of Morristown, New Jersey, stood at the reception desk and was congratulated by Mrs. Foye, the receptionist, for having es­ tablished a new high record. Then she presented him with an inscribed copy of our booklet. "The Nantucket Whaling Museum."'

Mr. Read was accompanied by his wife and Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Thorman of Winnetka, Illinois, envious but pleased to be present.

They also received copies of our booklet which seemed but fair for it was Mr. Thorman who actually paid for Mr. Read's admission.

The restoration work in the Entrance Hall, the Counting Room, and the Scrimshaw Room proved, as is too often the case with restorations, more of a job than was anticipated. Not only was it necessary to remove all of the flooring and underpinning but also most of the wall panels and trim for here again the mois­ ture had rotted the material beyond repair. The work including repainting was completed as the cold and damp weather permitted during the winter and spring and just in time to set up again our exhibits for the May opening. We now have a concrete flooring surfaced with durable tile thus eliminating deterioration from moisture as all wooden construction has been eliminated.

An additional case has been provided for our scrimshaw collection all of which had to be packed away during the restora­ tion work. Mrs. Foye was called upon to set up the collection again and has done an admirable piece of work in the present arrange­ ment of the many pieces.

The collection of photographs of Whaling scenes, ships, and captains which was displayed in the Scrimshaw Room has been removed to Sanderson Hall. This proves to be not only a better but more logical location for the collection which supplements Archie Cartwright's descriptive talks on the whaling industry and the Sanderson Hall exhibits.

Thanks to the generosity of two very loyal members Sander­ son Hall is now well lighted for they made possible through their donations the installation of a new lighting system with spot lights hidden on the sides of beams and rafters. No longer will stormy,

ANNUAL REPORTS

9

dark days throughout the summer and the early afternoon dusk of late August, September, and October impair the visitors' en­ joyment of our exhibits.

The season opens for 1958 with our veteran staff, Archie Cartwright, Custodian, Mrs. Foye, Receptionist, and Mrs. Chace, Librarian, ready and anxious to welcome again our many visitors.

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Treasurer's Report Balance Sheet May 31, 1958 Exhibit A Assets Free Funds Pacific National Bank Nantucket Institution for Savings Sidney Mitchell Fund Mary E. Macy Fund Total Less—Unexpended Appropriations and Special Funds Total Available Cash Inventory of Pamphlets Land, Building and Collections Fair Street Old Mill Oldest House Whaling Museum Old Jail Mill Street—1800 House West York Street—Land Collections Furniture & Fixtures

$ 7,104.16 7,350.24 3,000.00 500.00 17,954.40 509.49 $17,444.91 296.19 8,800.00 4,500.00 4,000.00 10,000.00 1,834.00 5,350.00 500.00 10,000.00 407.92 45,391.92

Restricted Funds (Resolution) Life Membership—Permanent Old Mill Preservation

6,358.22 1,071.92 7,430.14

Restricted Funds (Principal) Ella Starbuck Emma F. Hayward William Swift

3,000.00 2,000 00 5'000^00

Restricted Funds (Principal & Interest) ^ f " E - Brock Will Gardner

10,000.00 1,007.50 1,598.51 82,161.67

Total

Capitai plus

Liabilities 6

19[39L38 82,161.67

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Treasurer's Report Exhibit B Income and Expense Statement for th.e Year ending May 31, 1958 Whaling Museum Fair Street Oldest House Old Mill Old Jail 1800 House Miscellaneous Annual Dues Sustaining Interest & Dividends Donations Refunds Miscellaneous Historic Nantucket

1,544.00 570.00 813.98 95.75 181.92 187.50

Income $10,558.48 1,758.20 2,673.86 819.64 387.52 629.30

Expenses $ 4,894.94 1,926.02 lyl,77.21 1,175.38 736.28 1,112.34

Net Income or loss * $ 5,753.54 167.82* 1,496.64 355.74* 348.76* 483.04*

3,393.15

3,183.31 1,439.86

209.84 1,439.86*

750.00 107.00

3,167.36

2,4,14.36* 107.00

857.00

3,1(67.36

2,310.36*

Special Projects Exhibit C Whaling Museum Restoration Fair Street

Analysis of Surplus Balance, May 31, 1958 (Expendible Surplus) Additions Less—Excess of Special Project—Ex. C Net Earned Additions Elizabeth Fitzgerald

4,574.80 2,310.36

15,652.41

2,264.44 1,474.53

Total Additions

3,738.97

Balance 5/31/58

19,391.38

Balance of Restricted Surplus & Capital 5/31/58 Additions Interest Received on Restricted Funds Life Membership Total Additions Balance 5/31/58

62,336.31 33.98 400.00 433.98 $62,770.29

The foregoing Balance Sheet and Summary Statement of Income and Expenses have been prepared after an audit of the Treasurer's Books of Account and certification of Bank Balances. It is my opinion that they reflect the true condition of the Association.

Ormonde F. Ingall, Accountant

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Early Nantucket Artists

BY LOUISE STARK

In the early days of Nantucket there were no artists. The Quaker influence ruled and the beautiful in art was frowned on as frivolous. Even the houses in general were unpainted. Aside from the Quaker and Puritan influence, life was a strenuous thing and there was little or no time to indulge in artistic pursuits.

The first paintings of this time were generally portraits. These were often done by itinerant painters who arrived with the figures already painted with the exception of the head, which was filled in with the face of a local person when commissioned.

I have tried to find the earliest and most typical painters of this first period. There are over one hundred of their paintings in the Whaling Museum and Fair Street Museum and many in private houses.

At the same time as portraits were being done there were several other early evidences of artistic talent. "Mourning Pieces" were drawn by young ladies to express their sorrow at the death of a relative and were then sewed and framed like samplers.

There are many excellent examples of these in the Fair Street Museum. One of the best I saw was by Susan Burnell Elkins done in 1793. This shows a young lady bending gracefully over a tomb with a weeping willow spreading like a shower around her.

There were excellent silhouettes; frequently better than many of the primitive portraits. Some were full length, and showed good knowledge of anatomy and portraiture.

In Mrs. H. Linsly Johnson's house are two graceful silhou­ ettes of Nantucketers done in 1823, attributed to a visiting Frenchman, named Edouard. Mrs. G. E. Hutaff owns a well ex­ ecuted profile silhouette of a woman by Banton. This is one of the few signed silhouettes I found. There are two attractive sil­ houettes of Daniel Macy and Mary Folger Macy, his wife, with their son done in 1830. These are in Miss Grace Brown Gardner's house. They are full length, and full of grace and motion.

The Fair Street Museum has a splendid collection of silhou­ ettes, none of which are signed.

EARLY NANTUCKET ARTISTS

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During this period there was, of course, scrimshaw. Sailors, and even captains, on their ships while in the doldrums or waiting to sight a whale frequently showed interesting artistic ability in carvings on whale bone and whale teeth called scrimshaw.

They etched ships and their lady loves on whale bone and carved intricate figures; pinking wheels for pies, cribbage boards, thim­ bles, and many intricate and beautiful objects.

The seamen and captains also did paintings of their whale ships, usually drawn on paper in ink and water colored and gold leafed later. These paintings were also done, less frequently, in oils. The style of these was in general stiff, but all sailing data was always accurate. Many of these are in Nantucket homes today and fine collections are in the Atheneum and the Whaling Museum.

Unlike the usual style is a superb ship painting done in 1822 of "The Ship Spermo of Nantucket in Heavy Thunder" (see His­ toric Nantucket, January, 1957). This is an oil painting by an unknown artist of a ship shown in a squall off the coast of California. It is the first known primitive of an American Whale ship. The sky and clouds are wild and dark and rent with thunder.

The ship is roaring up on a huge breaking roller, the sails are torn by shrieking winds, and disaster seems imminent. The ship was owned by Aaron Mitchell of Nantucket and captained by James Bunker of Nantucket. This hangs in the Atheneum.

One of the most interesting clipper ship pictures is one in Mr. William Brock's house on Gardner Street. This is of a clipper ship skimming into the quiet harbor at Hong Kong with a blue sky, fleecy white clouds above it, and the city of Hong Kong in the background. This was painted in China by Wha Chong in 1890. The ship is the "Houqua" out of New York, owned by the Lows and captained by Mr. Brock's grandfather Captain Cartwright. Mr. Brock's mother was born on this ship.

Engravings and lithographs were done as early as 1791.

There is a very interesting engraving of the village of Siasconset done in 1791, artist unknown, in the Fair Street Museum.

An engraving of "The Town of Sherburne in the Island of Nantucket" was done around 1811 by Benjamin Tanner, pre-

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

sumably copied from a most interesting painting done in 1800 by the English artist Thomas Birch of Philadelphia. This last is a strong and colorful painting of the harbor and town with good perspective, a fine sky in the manner of Constable and water that looks wet and moving. This is the earliest known view of Nantucket by an established artist. (The dates given on the en­ graving are from E. Stackpole's article in the "Proceedings of the Nantucket Historical Association" 54th Annual Meeting in 1948.)

There are interesting lithographs by E. Starbuck, especially the one of Main Street at the fire of 1836.

Smibert

The earliest portrait I found is in the Fair Street Museum.

It is of Mary Gardner Coffin who lived in the Jethro Coffin house (the oldest in Nantucket and still standing). This portrait is accredited to Smibert and was done in Boston in 1717. Smibert painted in the style of Copley. The picture shows a stiff lady in a yellow dress holding a lily. The hand is well done. The face is heavy and primitive on a long neck.

There are many other primitives in the Fair Street Museum, none signed. The faces are heavy, the eyes button-like, or staring like a basilisk, the noses heavy and drawn with straight lines, the lace wooden.

In Miss Grace Brown Gardner's house on Milk Street there is a particularly interesting portrait of Captain Andrew Calder, one of Miss Gardner's relatives, painted around 1800. He is a most attractive, debonair young man in a beaver hat and white stock holding a spy glass under his arm. The artist is unknown.

This portrait has freedom and gaiety, and is not like the usual American primitive. I had the thought it might have been done by a visiting Frenchman.

Two portraits, painted in 1793, in Mrs. G. E. Hutaff's house of Elizabeth Aldrich Elkins and her husband David Elkins, artist unknown, are interesting. Elizabeth, in a yellow dress of the Empire style with her dark, curly hair done like Josephine Bona­ parte, is a gentle dark-eyed person of great appeal. Her husband David looks well fed, shrewd, and prosperous. These are done with considerable facility.

EARLY NANTUCKET ARTISTS

15

In Mr. William Brock's house I found two typical primitive portraits of James Coleman and his wife Lydia, artist unknown.

She is a sedate Quaker lady in spectacles and prim white bonnet and white neck piece. Her husband is a dark haired vigorous looking man. Mr. Brock told me James was a ship's blacksmith all day and at five o'clock went home to massage any people with aches and pains and cured many. He sounds like one of the first osteopaths!

Sally Gardner (Born late 18th century—died middle 19th) Sally Gardner was a Nantucketer who painted around 1830.

She did both oils and miniatures and specialized in children. Her style in oils is primitive, stiff, and lacking in perspective, but not without charm. In the Fair Street Museum there are sev­ eral, one of a young boy in long trousers with an over-large head and serious expression. There is also one of a young baby girl in a pink dress who seems to have floated into position on a cloud.

Miss Grace Brown Gardner has an oil of one of Sally's baby pictures, the baby round of eye and doll-like in a white dress and who seems perched on air.

Sally's miniatures were by far her best. The two most

By Bill Haddon charming are at Mrs. Hutaff's house. These are done on porcelain in pale blues and pinks with fine, delicate brushwork, most unlike her oils. One is of Martha Gardner, a solemn faced baby in a charming blue off-shoulder dress with a coral necklace around her plump little neck and holding a tiny basket. The other is of Mary Sprague in a lavender off-shoulder dress with gold beads around her neck and the same basket. The baby face is delicate and fragile. There are two minia­ tures by Sally Gardner in the Atheneum and the same coral neck­ lace appears in one. Sally's love of children shows in her work and her miniatures are especially delightful.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Anna Swain (Born late 18th century—died middle 19th) Anna Swain was a Nantucketer who painted around 1830. She did small water color paintings usually of the whole figure in the style of miniatures. Although her drawing is stiff and primitive, the faces are each distinctive and different and the effect of her colors is pleasing. There are two excellent examples at the home of Mrs. G. E. Hutaff on India Street of Nathaniel Sprague and his wife Hepzibah Sprague. I found two others in the Fair Street Museum, one of Mrs. Eu­ nice Weeks and the other of Edward G. Coffin. Mrs. David Swain owns a painting by Anna Swain of Sally Gardner Starbuck, an old Quaker lady, in an old fashioned rocking chair. One of her typical water colors is a prim

By Bill Haddon woman with high piled black MRS. EUNICE WEEKS hair in Mr. Edward Gardner's house on the Hummock Pond Road. Her perspective is often faulty, but the character of the sitter is quite evident. I wish Anna Swain had done more, as her work appeals to me very much.

Phebe Fitzgerald Barney (Born late 18th century—died middle 19th) Phebe Fitzgerald Barney painted primitive water colors in the same style as Anna Swain. I found three examples of her work in Miss Marjorie Barrett's house on India Street. Two were of two young boys, George Washington Barrett and Josiah Barrett, in long trousers with matching tops and ruffled white collars. These were appealing and the young boys' faces each showed their own particular character. A much more primitive one by her of a Quaker woman and man sitting by their fire is in Miss Barrett's house. I found another of a young man in Mrs. Frank Lewis' house, unsigned, but the style is so similar I am quite sure it is by Phebe Barney. Her work was very much like Anna Swain's but her drawing is freer and with more depth.

EARLY NANTUCKET ARTISTS

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J. S. Hathaway

(Born late 18th century—died middle 19th) J. S. Hathaway was a Nantucketer who painted in the nine­ teenth century around 1842. His studio was in the Atheneum.

His style was simple, easy and romantic, specializing in pleasing portraits of pretty little girls and handsome boys, clutching bou­ quets or dogs. Although he lacked the power and technique of William Swain, his portraits are attractive and one has the feel­ ing looked like the subjects. There are several portraits by him in the Fair Street Museum. Of these, the best is Augustus Morse, a young man who taught for a time in the Nantucket schools.

He is a dark haired young man with more character in his face than is usually evident in Hathaway's portraits. Also in the Fair Street Museum are portraits of Edward R. Folger, his wife Mari­ anne, and one of their son John, a handsome boy holding a dog that looks more like a stuffed dog than a real one. There is an­ other there of a pretty little girl in pantalettes holding a bouquet.

One in the Fair Street Museum I

By Bill Haddon . liked was of Gideon Folger, a white haired old man with a resigned but powerful face with gnarled hands resting on a cane. Mrs. G. E. Hutaff has a charm­ ing one in her house of Mary Sprague, a delicate looking four-yearold girl in an off-shoulder blue frock and pantalettes holding her white poodle. Mrs. John Ditmars has a large canvas by Hatha­ way of three children — William Coffin, Jared Coffin (who built Moors End), and Marianne Coffin. This is in his usual romantic slightly blurred style. Mrs. Ditmars showed me the bill for this portrait. "Mrs. Benjamin F. Coffin to Hathaway, Dr., for paint­ ing portraits of three children @ fifty dollars. October 1, 1845."

His portraits are pleasing but lacking the forceful technique and finish of William Swain.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

William Swain

(Born late 18th century—died middle 19th) William Swain painted in the early nineteenth to the middle nineteenth century, probably born in 1770, died 1847 in Norfolk, never married.

Photo by Bill Haddon

MRS. TIMOTHY CLAPP

BY WILLIAM SWAIN, IN THE FAIR STREET MUSEUM.

EARLY NANTUCKET ARTISTS

19

William Swain was by far the most finished portrait painter Nantucket produced. He was born on Nantucket and studied in Boston and Paris and lived for a time in Newburyport. He had a studio on Fair Street and painted on Nantucket when he had commissions, but traveled to other places to fill out engagements.

His style is sure, strong, and finished. The skin tones in his por­ traits are pure and clear. The Fair Street Museum has a good, collection of these. I liked Mrs. Timothy Clapp, a pretty woman with dark eyes, high piled abundant black hair and a haughty tilt to her head. Lieutenant A. B. Pinkham is interesting because Swain has not attempted to gloss over the slight sneer on his arrogant mouth nor the cruel insolence in his commanding eyes.

Also in Fair Street are the following portraits by William Swain: Arthur and Elizabeth Jones; Elizabeth pink, plump, and prosper­ ous. Arthur's is an adequate man's portrait. I feel sure he also did the portrait of the appealing Love Parker. She is gentle and winning with soft dark eyes, her brown hair partially covered with a white cap and a yellow scarf around her shoulders.

In the Atheneum there are two good Swain portraits, one of Charles Coffin, the other of Captain Joy. Captain Joy is one of my favorites, a handsome, gay young man with ruddy clear skin and humorous eyes.

The largest collection of William Swain's paintings is in the Whaling Museum. One of the most attractive is of Mrs. William Plaskett, an enchanting young woman with large, soft, brown eyes and dark hair piled high on her head. William Plaskett, her husband, is a well executed portrait but not as outstanding as that of his wife. Captain Charles B. Swain is a sturdy, fearless looking man.

Mrs. Mary Chase, attributed to Swain, is quite interesting.

Her head is swathed in a white turban and a transparent surplice of lace and organdy shows on her dark dress. Her mouth is but­ toned with primness and severity.

The portraits of Charles P. Swain and his wife in this col­ lection, attributed to Swain, seemed immature and not up to his usual work.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Mrs. John Ditmars has one of the finest Swains, a portrait of Benjamin Coffin. The clarity of the skin tones in this and the fine face of the young man above his snowy stock make it an arrest­ ing piece of portraiture.

Mr. Edward Gardner at his home on the Hummock Pond Road has two fine portraits, artist unknown, but very much in the style of Swain. One is of Captain John Gardner (1800-1860), a man of abput forty with a commanding eye and strong face. He has the usual snowy stock and brass buttoned jacket. His wife Mary Worth Gardner by the same artist is a long-necked, aristocratic woman with heavy-lidded eyes. She is much like the portrait of Mrs. Mary Chase in the Whaling Museum, attributed to Swain, but she is younger and handsomer.

There are three other portraits I feel could have been by Swain; two in the Whaling Museum, Mrs. Eliza Hiller Coffin and her husband Captain Uriah Coffin, 1778 to 1861, and Mrs. Elizabeth Crosby in the Fair Street Museum. These are all distinguished by particularly delicate, clear skin tones and good technique. The style is much like Swain, the only difference is the skin tones seem lighter and more delicate.

William Swain contributed a good and attractive record of the people of his era in Nantucket. He was an intelligent workman and gave his sitters their money's worth. The colors are clear, the laces and gold braid given full value, and I feel the likenesses true, because all are different and distinctive.

In the Fair Street Museum I liked the painting of Sara Folger by an unknown artist. This shows an old Quaker lady with pink cheeks and sad eyes. The planes and structure of her face are done with more care than was usual in that period (early nineteenth century). She has a white bonnet and neckpiece and brown shawl folded meticulously around her shoulders. There is strength and patience in her face.

Jerome Thompson was an itinerant who painted in Nantucket in 1840. He was born in Middleboro, the son of Cephus Thompson, and was a self-taught painter. There is in the Fair Street Museum a fine portrait of The Honorable Walter Folger done by Jerome when he was seventeen.

EARLY NANTUCKET ARTISTS

21

A man named Paradise painted on Nantucket and did one of the best portraits in the Fair Street Museum. This is the one of Anna Coleman Clapp, an enormously plump middle-aged lady in lace cap with many chins and a merry, greedy eye. Her spectacles have been pushed up onto her cap. This shows much freedom and good technique.

Delin There are several portraits on Nantucket by a Dutchman named Delin. These are done with sureness and good technique and noteworthy for the twinkle he managed to get in his sitters' eyes. Stephen Parr, by him, in Mrs. Frank Lewis' house is a por­ trait of a gay looking captain with dark, merry eyes and a sly srqile. There is one of Captain Henry Barnard done by him in the Fair Street Museum. This is done with great realism. Captain Barnard also has a mischievous smile and Delin has carefully put in the wart on his face.

A portrait in the Fair Street Museum of Charles Colesworthy I feel was also done by Delin. It is of a young man with an in­ trepid look painted with excellent technique; he has a snub nose and fearless blue eyes. In the background is a whale ship and ice­ bergs which was a characteristic background used by Delin.

There are two other portraits by Delin in the Whaling Mu­ seum. One is of Captain Matthew Jones, a young man with a fine fearless face and the usual background with icebergs faintly seen and a whale ship.

Captain Hiram Coffin by Delin is a smiling gay man with merry brown eyes.

George Fish (Born ca. 1825 — died in 1906) George Fish was a Nantucketer born ca. 1825 and died in 1906 on the island. In 1866 he and his wife Judith Derrick Fish of Nantucket went to Paris where he studied under Brochart. Their daughter Madelaine was born there and called Madelaine be­ cause their home was near the famous church of the Madelaine.

They had another daughter Anna Gardner. For thirty years he had a studio in New York City. They returned to Nantucket where

EARLY NANTUCKET ARTISTS

23

George had a studio in one of the small front rooms of the Atheneum. His wife kept a boarding house on the corner of North Water Street and Broad. His studio after he left the Atheneum was over Charles Lovell's store.

In Mrs. Linsly Johnson's house, "The Middle Brick" on Main Street, there is an excellent collection of portraits by Fish. These are pleasing portraits and show considerable facility. One family group of the children of Matthew Starlbuck is delightful. Each child has a distinct personality, the background is gay and sum­ mery, and the whole effect one of the pleasant ease of another day.

There is also a portrait here by him of Priscilla Coleman Wyer in a white lace cap with her hands folded primly. Her face is rather severe and brooding, the mouth prim, the gaze direct and uncompromising. The lace cuffs and collar are done with dex­ terity. There is .a portrait here of two of their sons with a little dog that is pleasing, and one of Katharine Starbuck and her in­ fant son Horace that I liked especially.

In the Atheneum he has one of William Hadwen which is not as outstanding as some of the others, and one of Walter Folger in Quaker attire. I found him an interesting and independent painter who gave me the feeling he enjoyed his work.

There is an excellent copy of Copley's portrait of Timothy Folger by George Fish in the Whaling Museum.

"Mr. Fish was familiar with English literature; he could converse entertainingly upon the merits of great authors and dramatists of America and England. I recollect that years ago I listened with profit to his lecture 'The Sublime and the Beautiful' which he delivered before a large and delighted audience in Athe­ neum Hall; he was one of the vice presidents of the Atheneum at the time of his death, and a trustee of the First Congregational Church." (Nantucket paper, September 1, 1906.)

George Fish, his wife and two daughters, were much loved on Nantucket. He contributed to the social life of the island as well as being a leading painter of his time.

There is a painting of Abram Quary, the last Nantucket man with Indian blood, by Hermione Dassell, a German lady visiting

24

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

in Nantucket. This picture is in the Atheneum. This was done in Abram's house at Shimmo. It is a painting of great simplicity and charm. Abram sits tranquilly before the window in his simple house with a basket of herbs at his bare feet; the interior is soft brown and yellow and the town of Nantucket can be seen through the window with the soft blue of the sky and the deeper blue of the harbor.

George Marshall — 1855

At this time George Marshall, a Nantucketer, was doing some fine ship painting. They are interesting because of the freedom and expressiveness of their drawing and color. They were drawn first in pencil or ink and then water colored. I have seen three in Mr. E. U. Crosby's house, two of which were particularly good.

"The Fleet Is Ready" shows a group of warships setting out to sea. One of these was the only warship ever built with three gun decks. A painting of the schooner "Sacramento" owned and sailed

by George Marshall in the Pacific to carry supplies to miners during the gold rush is of a ship in a black squall and high seas with lightning-lit sky. These, unlike most of the ship paintings of the time, have excellent clouds, water that really moves, and flags that swirl.

(To Be Continued) (Editor's note: This is the first part of a two-part article by Louise Stark, one of Nantucket's well known and favorite artists. The article will be completed in the October issue.)

25

History Making Events of 1958 A series of six articles which have recently appeared in the Seattle Sunday Times are of interest to Nantucket readers.

In 1852 Charlotte Coffin Gardner sailed from Nantucket with her husband, Captain William Bunker Gardner, in the ship, "Sa­ rah Parker" of which he was master. The voyage was "around Cape Horn" and up the west coast of South America to California.

On arrival at San Francisco the ship for the next two years made voyages to and from Port Townsend and other Puget Sound ports to obtain lumber for building the city of San Francisco.

Charlotte Gardner was the first white woman to visit parts of the Pacific Coast and what was then known as the Oregon Terri­ tory, and she kept a journal of her experiences. This journal is now the property of the Seattle Historical Association, and has proved a source of much early history of that region.

The articles are illustrated with photographs of Captain and Mrs. Gardner and of the various places mentioned in the journal, and they have aroused much interest in historical circles in the vicinity.

A copy of the journal has been preserved in Nantucket and is now in the custody of the Nantucket Historical Association.

—0 The bell from the training ship "Nantucket" will be retained by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards Bay for exhibition in their museum. Although it was presented to the ship by the town of Nantucket and is so marked, it will not be available to the Historical Association.

0 "The Scattered Planets" and "Maria's Brother Goes to Sea," two plays by Mrs. Margaret Fawcett Wilson, depicting authentic incidents in the childhood of Maria Mitchell, the Nantucket Quaker girl who became the world famous astronomer, were staged and acted by the fifth grade pupils of the Cyrus Peirce School and Academy Hill School most successfully.

0 "Janie Finds a Buried Treasure on Nantucket Island," by Paul F. Whitten, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and Nantucket, has been published recently by The Inquirer and Mirror Press.

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

If you have not read "As I Saw the U. S. A.," a small but exceedingly enlightening volume with a chapter devoted to Nan­ tucket you may wish to. The author, an English writer, paid a visit to his cousin, Mrs. Alice P. Amey, while he was spending the year, 1953-54, in this country. Mr. James Morris wrote "As I Saw the U. S. A." with keen eyes wide open. It is published by Pantheon Books, Inc., New York.

0 The Brussels World's Fair has seen two persons well known to Nantucketers. Renny Stackpole, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edouard A. Stackpole, is with his band known as "The King's Men," and Mrs. Ruth Ley took her film of "Nantucket Island" to the World's Fair and it was shown there on the TV screens.

0 June 15, 1958, the Bunker Family Reunion was held in Barnstead, New Hampshire. Mrs. Walton H. Adams attended this reunion.

0 June 21, 1958, the Bay State League held its regular Annual Meeting as guest of the Falmouth Historical Association. Mrs. Adams attended this meeting as delegate from the Historical Association and was elected a vice-president of the League.

9 Mrs. Alice Albertson Shurrocks' book, a sequel to "Nantucket Wildflowers," "A Grain of Mustard Seed," is now off the press.

This small volume represents four years of dedicated labor and long study of the floral growths on Nantucket's moors.

The Latin and Greek names as well as the common labels are given. Beyond the classifications the book offers descriptions of each flower in the locations where they may be found on the Island, and many illustrations.

Among those who contributed to this work was the late Mrs. Walter D. Blair, a long-time member of the Historical Association who has contributed so much in recording the Island's past, and adding to its present charm with the heather about which she re­ ports in Mrs. Shurrocks', "A Grain of Mustard Seed."

HISTORY MAKING EVENTS

27

The Triumphant Captain John and Gardners and Gardiners Twelve Colonial Founders of Families Early this month this book by Nantucket's favorite author, Dr. Will Gardner, will be off the press.

Dr. Gardner has contributed more to the significant written record of Nantucket's past and present than any other Nantucket author. His books include, '"Three Bricks and Three Brothers," "The Clock that Talks and What It Tells," "The Coffin Saga, or Nantucket's Story from Settlement to Summer Visitor." This, his fourth and latest volume, starts with the records of the Massa­ chusetts Bay Colony in the year 1639 when John Gardner was an adolescent lad living in Salem, Massachusetts. John's father had arrived from England in 1592 and settled in the Colony becoming a respected public figure, and the founder of one of the Gardner Families leaving an estimated fifth generation of some two thous­ and descendants.

John Gardner grew up among Quakers (when Quakers were being persecuted) in an atmosphere of defiance; defiance of the Puritanical curbing of the rights of individuals. He grew to be a rugged individualist, a surveyor of no mean ability, a successful business man, and fisherman.

John Gardner married Priscilla Grafton in Salem and when he was 50 years of age he and his wife and six children moved to Nantucket. From that time on the fabric of life on the Island was woven by a few men and Captain John Gardner was outstand­ ing among these few. Dr. Will Gardner tells his story with careful attention to the most pertinent detail.

You will find Captain John Gardner's family, his brother Richard's family, and Peter Folger's family (Benjamin Franklin's grandfather) as well as the first Tristram Coffin all brought to life in their struggles to build a new and democratic world against stiff odds, in this story by Dr. Will.

Printed by the Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., the book has excellent photogravure illustrations, many of them by Louis S. Davidson.

The book will be for sale at the Whaling Museum and the other Historical Association Buildings.

29

Shawkemo Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society

BY STANLEY ROY, CHAIRMAN

On July 7, 1957, the Shawkemo Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society was formed. Members of the new organiza­ tion were both local residents and summer visitors who had interest in local archaeology.

Plans were made to start a "dig" at Shawkemo, better known to many as "Top Gale," permission having been received from the owners.

During the summer and fall months thirty-five holes were opened with considerable success. Some openings made had as much as three feet of solid shell, containing bones of various animals and fish, broken and whole artifacts of stone, and many pottery shreds.

Work will continue this year at the same site as there is still much to be accomplished.

How many people realize the interesting variety of artifacts available on the Island! To mention a few of stone: projectile points (spear and arrow), knives, scrapers, celts, axes (grooved and ungrooved), net weights, fishing sinkers or plummets, pen­ dants or gorgets, abrading stones, pestles and mortars. Then of bone: arrow points, needles and awls have been found, not to mention pottery of local clay, and steatite which was imported.

Surface finds have included all the above mentioned as one can see by visiting the Historical Museum on Fair Street and viewing the beautiful collections made by Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Shurrocks and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson O. Dunham. It must be real­ ized that the accumulations of artifacts represented in these two collections took years of patient searching.

No effort, as yet, has been made to establish the earliest dates of habitation of the Island by the Indians but judging by "digs" and "Carbon 40" tests of similar areas on the mainland it is safe to say that they were here at least one thousand years B. C. It is hoped that signs of an old culture may be found. An interest-

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

ing example is a number of large deer or possibly reindeer antlers which were found five or six feet underground.

It has long been believed by many that Nantucket was at one time joined to the mainland making migration here a natural certainty, although we must not discard the fact that Indians traveled many miles over open water in their canoes and dugouts.

Whatever may be the case the handicraft of the early inhabitants make up the material of our archaeological research which proves so interesting to so many of us. Our little Island is more and more the source of diversified interests.

Some of the charter members of Shawkemo Chapter. From left to right: Albert Brock, Winthrop Carter, Jr., Charles Sayle, Nelson O. Dunham

31

Gifts and Donors 1957-1958 MRS. WILLIAM L. MATHER, CUSTODIAN OF COLLECTIONS

The past year has brought varied items of interest to our collection. Ship models, pictures, books, and a large number of letters, account books, church records, etc. The latter, the gift of Thomas Hallowell, Jr. The Association purchased the letters and account books of Captain Phelon.

Historical Museum Backus, Mrs. Alma, from the estate of—Carved deer head attrib­ uted to James Walter Folger. Boxes and postal cards.

Bettridge, Agnes—Quaker bonnet; photograph of Judith Coffin Folger.

Bragdon, Louisa Myrick—Five Nantucket views.

Deeley, Robert—Framed map of 'Sconset; Piatt collection of neg­ atives; photographs from old negatives.

Duffy, Mrs. Isabel Worth—Collection of old Town and School Reports.

Gardner, Dr. William E.—Quaker bonnet; collection of letters and papers, diary, and "Protection" papers.

Gardner, Miss Grace Brown—Journal of a voyage from Nantucket to San Francisco and Washington Territory and return, 1852 to 1855, kept by Charlotte Coffin Gardner aboard the "Sarah Parker."

Gardner, Miss Helen—Wood carving from the Boston Elm known as the "Hangman's Tree," carved by James Walter Folger.

Graham, Mrs. Loren—Pictures of Nantucket waterfront; pictures of Nantucket steamers and others.

Hallowell, Thomas, Jr.—Tax books of the First Congregational Church; account books, scrap books, diary, and letter books, deeds and school committee reports, 1860, and other letters; Kendall's Life of Maria Mitchell with a letter from M. M. to Prof. Rogers written from London, England.

Leach, Robert—Manuscript of "Quakerism on Nantucket."

Lewis, Mrs. Richard V.—Velvet watch case.

32

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Phelon-Regal, purchased—Silhouette of Peleg Folger, "High Sherriff of Nantucket"; Sign of "Geo. B. Folger."

Pietsch, Mrs. Theodore—"Nantucket Auction," a painting by Col. Julian Yates, the bequest of Oliver Carroll Zell.

Romaine, Lawrence B.—Catalogue of postal cards of Wyer's Art Store.

Salmond, Mrs. Herbert—Copy of her book, "Mundane-West Parish of Westfield, Mass."

"1800" House Hallowell, Thomas—Tinder box.

Hutaff, Mrs. Grace Elkins—Brown faille dress.

Lewis, Mrs. Richard V.—Charcoal foot warmer.

Mello, Mrs. Joseph—Hand spinning pin.

Oldest House Edgarton, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis—Deer skin.

Whaling Museum Bolter, Mrs. Carl H.—Log of ship "Enterprise."

Davidson, Louis—Photograph of Wallace Long.

Duponte, Charles—Whale tooth, engraved.

Gardner, Dr. William E.—Bowditch, "Practical Navigator, 1853," gift of Mary Tracy Gardner.

Hallowed, Thomas, Jr.—Papers and letters of Charles and Henry Coffin, 1829-1860.

Phelon-Regal, purchased—3 bound account books of Barrett and Upton, 1836-1846; letters, 1820-1850 to and by Captain Henry Phelon who sailed on the ship "Spermo."

Rawson, Miss Dorothy—"Follow the Whale," by Ivan T. Sanderson.

Verney, Gilbert—Ship model.

Wallace, Mrs. William—Ivory ship model.

33

The Annual History Award This is the fourth year the Historical Association has offered awards to a pupil of Nantucket High School for the most interest­ ing essay on the subject of Island History. The young people are allowed a wide latitude in topic provided the subject matter relates to Nantucket's past.

Past years there has been an award both to the High School pupil and to a pupil of the Vocational School for an essay. However, this year only one award is being given as the other papers did not come up to the standards which have been established.

A year's membership in the Historical Association will be given to Michael Bachman for his prize-winning paper on the topic "Shipwrecks Around Nantucket Since 1940." This will entitle him to admission to all buildings and exhibits of the As­ sociation and he will receive the quarterly magazine for one year. His name will be added to the wooden plaque in the school which has the names of each year's winner of the award.

34

Shipwrecks Around Nantucket Since 1940 Prize-Winning School Essay

BY MICHAEL BACHMAN

In the history of Nantucket there have been between seven and eight hundred ships wrecked on the shores of the Island or in surrounding waters. With the innovation of the gasoline and steam engines the number of yearly wrecks dropped down to almost nothing as compared to the number of wrecks among sail­ ing craft.

As it would take a volume of several hundred pages to give an accurate report of the wrecks, I have narrowed my topic down so as to only include wrecks between 1940 and the present. Var­ ious reports show that there were between fifty and sixty wrecks in these years. As many of these include such trivial things as cat-boats running aground and rainbows sinking in the basin, I have picked eighteen of the more disastrous and interesting wrecks. They are as follows: December 13, 1941: An average sized freighter, the "Oregon," with a cargo consisting mostly of manganese ore was running without lights (due to wartime) heading for a U. S. port. The weather was nasty, blowing a full southwest gale, the ship was near Asia Rip (a few miles from Nantucket Light Ship) when it was struck by a U. S. battleship, the "New Mesdico," which was also running under blackout orders. Seventeen of the crew members were either killed in the collision or were drowned, the rest were rescued by a New Bedford dragger. Attempts were made to tow the disabled vessel to port but it sank soon after the collision.

January 3, 1947: Early in the afternoon the "Kotor," a Cunard Line freighter under Panamanian registry, (many shipping companies take advantage of the lax shipping rules of Panama by registering their old and decrepit vessels here) ran aground in shoal water about one hundred yards off shore, near Sheep's pond on the south shore of the island. Believing themselves aground on Davis' Shoal they radioed this information and four Coast Guard

SHIPWRECKS AROUND NANTUCKET

35

cutters were dispatched to that scene. When the fog cleared and their location was established the cutters were dispatched to the Sheep s pond area and the vessel was hauled off at high water.

The vessel, then leaking badly, was then towed to Newport and later to New York.

May 31, 1948: The New Bedford fishing vessel "Etta K" caught fire and started to sink in Nantucket Sound, quite near Handkerchief Lightship. The vessel was brought alongside the lightship where unsuccessful attempts were made in quelling the fire. The crew of the fisherman boarded the lightship just before their own vessel sank. A Coast Guard cutter brought the crew to port.

August 31, 1949: The sea scalloper "Gay Head," was believed to have sunk off the "Corner" near Banana Buoy. A few days later the wreckage was found on the south side of Tuckernuck and in Muskeget channel. Many sharks were milling about the area but no bodies were found. The vessel was on its way from George's banks to New Bedford. (It was probably following the usual course, heading from George's for the "Corner," rounding it, heading for No Man's Land and then from there directly into New Bedford.)

September 9, 1949: Captain Russell Palmer, against advice of friends, started the return voyage from Nantucket to Falmouth (in the face of gathering thunder squalls) with his pleasure craft "Constance." On board were the nine members of the Allenby family and the fiance of one of the daughters.

The craft was near Tuckernuck Shoal when the engines quit from water from waves raised by a passing thunder squall. The party barely had time to don life preservers and tie themselves together before the vessel sank.

Palmer swam the eight miles to shore and started the search for the others. It wasn't until morning, however, that the rest of the party was found, all but one of them had died from either ex­ posure or drowning.

In the year 1949, 155 lives were lost within an one hundred mile radius of Nantucket (this includes Nantucket drownings and main­ land drownings along with Nantucket shipwrecks and mainland shipwrecks within this radius). This large number of fatalities instigated an inquiry by USCG, Admiral "Iceberg" Smith. As a

36

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

result of this inquiry three eighty-three-foot Coast Guard boats were stationed in this area, one of them at Nantucket.

April 7, 1950: In the same storm two fishing vessels, the "William J. Landry" (Fairhaven was home port but it had a threeman Nantucket crew) and the "Four Sisters" (New Bedford, home port) were both sinking about one mile off Monomoy Point (Cape Cod). The two vessels had three alternatives: 1. Beach her on Monomoy Point (distance, one mile) probably wrecking the ves­ sel but saving the cargo and crew. 2. Head for Nantucket (distance sixteen miles) and save vessel, cargo, and crew if the vessel could make it to port. 3. Head for home port, New Bedford (distance forty-five miles) under the same conditions as the second alterna­ tive.

The captain of the "Four Sisters" chose to beach his vessel at Monomoy Point, this done, the crew was saved and the following morning the cargo of scallops was saved at low water.

Captain Hansen of the "Landry," after taking aboard a tow line from a Coast Guard cutter, chose to head for New Bedford.

However, the tow line soon parted and the "Landry" tried to make it from Handkerchief Shoal into New Bedford on her own. It is believed the vessel sank somewhere between Stone Horse and Hand­ kerchief Shoals, the wreckage was seen the next day off Great Point.

A short time later the "Four Sisters" drifted off Monomoy and sank inside Half Moon Shoal, northeast of Cross Rip. The owners of both vessels were reimbursed by the insurance companies, but the lives of the crew of the "Landry" were lost seemingly needlessly.

August 17, 1950: At 12:20 a.m. the fisherman "Ellen H. Jean" struck an iron-bound hatch cover and stove in her largest water­ tight compartment and started slowly to sink. The vessel was then about twelve miles off Low Beach Coast Guard Station and headed directly for it. The vessel's radio wouldn't work and as it became evident that it wouldn't make it to shore Captain Clifford Smith fired off the six flares they had on board. When help didn't seem to be on the way Clifford and Byron Coffin, his only crew member, placed an empty fifty-gallon drum with one end out on the foredeck. They then filled it half way with fuel oil and rags

SHIPWRECKS AROUND NANTUCKET

37

and lit it. This gave off flames ten feet high and lasted till the craft sank about five miles off shore over Old Man Shoals (96 feet of water).

Getting into a rubber life raft they rowed ashore. They were tossed out of the boat at the surf line and had to swim ashore.

Proceeding to the station at 8 a.m. they found the aftermath of a party and a sleepy watchman who wanted to know who they were and how they had gotten into the station.

The following day the Coast Guard officials at Low Beach denied there had been any party on the premises and claimed that if there had been a fire or flares they would have been seen. Things looked bad for Smith as the insurance company was withholding payment. However, that afternoon Miss Mildred Jewett called Smith and informed him that bows of his vessel were on Smith's Point.

Captain Smith and insurance officials rushed to the scene.

There on the bows was the name of the vessel and on the foredeck was a ring the size of the fifty-gallon drum burned half an inch into the wood. That was enough for the insurance adjusters and a short time later there was a shakeup in Coast Guard per­ sonnel on the island.

February 17, 1952: In a fierce northeasterly storm two T-2 type tankers, the "Fort Mercer" and the "Pendleton," each 504 feet long with gross tonnage of 10,000, within six miles of each other split in two and started to sink. Coast Guard vessels arrived at the scenes and rescued all but seven of the eighty-four men aboard the two vessels.

The stern of the "Fort Mercer" was saved and was fitted with new bows in New York. It is now at sea under a new name.

March 11, 1952: A Nantucket dragger, the "Anna C. Perry," bound for New Bedford with a load of fish from George's Banks sank between the "Corner" and Davis Shoals. It was heavily loaded with fish when a heavy gale was encountered. All hands were lost.

September 6, 1952: A charter pleasure fishing boat, owned by Allen W. Holdgate and operated by Captain George Studley, was bluefishing on "Old Man" Shoal when it was struck and capsized by a blind swell. Captain Studley was struck by a deck chair and

38

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

seen no more. The three other members of the party clung to the boat and were rescued twenty-four hours later off Miacomet Rip. The boat was also saved.

Summer, 1955: Gerald McCarthy, an early riser, got out of his bunk aboard the "Irene" and stepped knee deep in water. His cries soon aroused his shipmate, Bob Wilson, and they abandoned ship immediately. Evidently the "Irene," which was quite old, had given up the struggle, split her seams, and sank. The two ship­ mates were soon picked up by Morris Clatenbourg of the ship "Two Brothers."

Summer, 1955: The "Red Start," a New Bedford dragger, was lost between the "Corner" and "Old Man" Shoals. All ten of the crew were lost. Some wreckage was brought to Nantucket by the Coast Guard for identification and sale.

July 26, 1956: The Italian ocean liner, "Andrea Doria," sank several hours after being rammed (on the evening of the 25th) by the Swedish freighter "Stockholm" about forty-six miles ESE of Nantucket. Fifty-three of the passengers were killed.

Bibliography Arthur H. Gardner: "Wrecks Around Nantucket," Reynolds Printing, Inc., Edward Rowe Snow: "Great Gales and Dire Disasters," Dodd, Mead, and Company, 19-52, pp. 230-237.

Dr. Luigi A. Ferrelli, "The 101st Crossing," Outdoor Adventures, April 1957, pp. 8-9, 76-61.

Part of my information came from the above reference material but most of it came from talks with the following men to whom I am grateful: Charles Sayle, Clifford Smith, John McDonald, Charles Fleming, Thomas Giffin, Gordon Turner.

39

Keziah Coffin Fanning's Diary

BY NANCY S. ADAMS

( Continued) 1812

Dec. 9—Alexander Macy son of Peter went hence to Baltimore a few weeks since purchased a vessel for Robert Folger & others, loaded her with flour and sailed for here, arrived this morning.

Capt. Macy at helm, men forward tending sails, heard some one holler, saw Macy overboard, put about as soon as possible but too late. Ship Brothers, B. Whippey arrived at Old Town yesterday, a mos. wood in her.

Dec. 21—Mrs. Lydia Baxter died today.

1813 Feb. 21—Thomas went from here in Experiment, Capt. Havden.

March 6—David Folger and Peleg Coggeshall (both over 80 years old) buried today.

March 17—Paul Gardner, Senr. found dead in bed this morning, he was as well as usual last night.

April 25—Susan Elkins joined Society.

June 30—Mr. Hedding transferred to Lynn, Mr. Mungar to Nan­ tucket.

July 6—Mary Gelston, wife of Samuel died this a.m. had a daugh­ ter weeks ago, has been unwell since. Last Wednesday went to Sconset with her husband, was worse for ride, began to cough last eve and coughed almost without cessation till a few minutes before death.

July 7—Mr. Boardman (Clarinda Starbucks husband) died at Troy early in June.

Aug. 8—Solomon Folger the old man found dead in bed this morn­ ing, lived with his daughter Phebe Rawson.

Aug. 16—James Clark, taken with bleeding and died immediately.

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HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Oct. 3—Emeline, Hitty's youngest child died, buried at new bury­ ing ground.

Oct. 10—Ben Mooers child buried to-day, Gardners burying ground, hooping cough.

Oct. 19—Mail Packet went out today & was taken by a British Privateer in sight of the Island & carried westward.

1814 Jan. 1—Old Mr. Dixon buried to-day.

Jan. 17—Last Thursday morning early, Anna Boston an aged col­ ored woman who has many years been a member of the Presby­ terian Church, awoke in the morning and said to her husband (Essex) that she had a pain in her stomach & was fearful she should have the colic to which she was subject, he arose and got her something to take—in about hour after that he went into the room and found her breathless—the next day people began to think she was not dead because her body was warm, on Sat­ urday many had the same opinion—as she continued warm—the Physicians were there Sunday, they thought it not best to bury her, this afternoon (Monday) she is buried.

Jan. 19—Elizabeth Coffin (?) Gideons wife, died this A.M. Jan. 27—Rebecca Hussey (daughter of Christopher deceased), died to-day.

Feb. 3— Reu . . .Joy & Mary Cottle married this eve. Charles Hussey and Hannah Hussey married in Friends Meeting. Gorham Fitch died to-day.

Feb. 18—News of schooner Attack (?) of New York to New Orleans was taken while becalmed in river Mississippi by barges from ship Herald (or Harold).

Feb. 27—Ship Charles from Cape Horn, Grafton Gardner, Mas­ ter, with most valuable cargo of oil ever brought here is at the Bar. March 6 lett.

Mrs. Matthews child baptised, named Cromwell Bart-

June 19—Mr. Lindsey the settled minister for Nantucket came, has a wife and child.

KEZIAH COFFIN FANNING'S DIARY

41

July 3—A little vessel tender to the . . . has been round here near the Bar, for two or three days past, taking little vessels that are bound for here, some have ransomed.

July 23—A privateer or tender to the Nymp Frigate came in sight yesterday week, has been round our island till yesterday, taken some vessels or boats which ransomed.

July 24—Tristam Bunker died & buried P.M. July 31—Isaac Chace died this eve, sick three years.

Aug. 5—A British Privateer round our Island taking vessels.

Aug. 18—William Macy died yesterday.

Aug. 22—The British Brig Nymrod is at our Bar, sent this after­ noon ashore her barge as a flag, 1st Lieut, in her—with letter from British Ad. to the Magistrates of this town, the purport of which is—that if we will declare ourselves neuter & suffer them to be here unmolested & grant them any little refreshments if we have them to spare—we shall be permitted to bring provisions & fuel to the place.

Aug. 23—Officers ashore from the Nymrod, Capt. & their officers —are treated with greatest politeness—invited among the Mit­ chells & others to dine, tea, etc. In eve. at 6 o'clock Town Meeting called all unanimous, Feds. & Demos.—voted.

Voted: That this Island should be neuter during the War. That we will suffer British vessels to come here unmolested & that if they are in want of refreshments we will supply them, they paying for the same. Voted: that Zenas Coffin, Jo Chace (demos.) & Josiah Barrett & Aaron Mitchell (feds.) should con­ tinue to go to the British Ad. & conclude the negotiations, all harmony—the Demos, are obliged to comply and fall in with the Feds.

Aug. 24—The Maria, Packet went off to the Nymrod—large num­ bers of Gentlemen & Ladies went off—had a dance on board, some tarried till 9 o'clock.

Aug. 26—Nymrod sailed to-day—Ezperiment in Co. with our Com­ mittee bound to Long Island.

Aug. 30—Our Committee returned 3 vessels are licensed to go to Philadelphia—3 to New York.

42

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Sept. 2 & Sept. 3—News came of capture of Washington by the English.

Sept. 17—Hepza. Brown died yesterday. Charles Cary went away 4 years ago in the . . . for Canton, James Cary. Master (he died in Canton) the ship was taken a year ago last Spring & carried into the Cape of Good Hope. Frederick Bunker (John's son deceased) was belonging to her—he died Oct. 12 at the Cape of brain fever.

Sept. 18—Accounts have come to-day of Obed Wyer's death in Baltimore, he has been there two years, sickened and died.

Sept. 23—Cos. Nabby Fanning had a son a.m. (named Barclay).

Oct. 10—Very pleasant wind small s.e.—about noon a Privateer Brig & a ship, her prize hove in sight to the S.W. of the Island— a Frigate in chase. The Privateer having gained in shore, before sunset she was close in shore—to the south side, several barges discovered coming from the ship to her—at 9 o'clock firing of can­ non & small arms for nearly hour was discovered, when the Privateer was dark.

Oct. 11—The Barges attacked the Privateer, there was great havoc made among the repulsed & some taken—number killed & wounded —but it is not known how many. A.M. a barge came to the south side with over 20 British wounded—2 was dead in the Barge which was buried at the shore. Wagons went down and brought them up & carried them to Dixons & Hannah Swain's—some very badly wounded—many were killed and thrown overboard—the 1st. Lieut, was killed immediately—attempting to board the Privateer—a number of their prisoners which they had on board previous to the engagement were put on shore. Hilburn went out of a fishing vessel on board the Privateer, as Pilot was the first man killed.

Oct. 12—The Americans put 14 of the wounded on shore at Sesachacha 11 brought down—2 so badly wounded they could not be moved—the Privateer is making off with herself leaving the ship to take care of herself—one of the British officers hired a boat last eve to carry him to the fleet at Tarpolin Cove, returned this eve with money, clothing and a Doctor.

(To Be Continued)

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Legacies and Bequests Membership in our Association proves that you are interested in its program for the preservation of Nantucket's famed heritage and its illustrious past, which so profoundly affected the develop­ ment of our country. You can perpetuate that interest by naming the Association to receive a legacy or bequest under your will which will help to insure the Association carrying on in the future. Counsel advises that legacies or bequests to the Nan­ tucket Historical Association are allowable deductions under the Federal Estate Tax law.

Legacies will be used for general or specific purposes as di­ rected by the donor. A sample form of bequest may read as follows: FORM OF BEQUEST "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Nantucket Historical Association, a corporation duly in­ corporated by the Commonwealth of Massachu­ setts, and located in the Town of Nantucket, in said Commonwealth, the sum of dollars."

Bequests may be made also in real estate, bonds, stocks, books, paintings, or any objects having historical value in which event a brief description of the same should be inserted instead of a sum of money.

Please send all communications to Miss Ethel Anderson, Secretary, P. 0. Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts. Office, Fair Street Museum.

44

Admission Schedule The various buildings and museums of the Association will be open officially to the public for the 1958 Season on the following schedules: Whaling Museum Oldest House

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Week Days and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Historical Museum | Week Days Sundays Friends Meeting House (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2 to 5 p.m.

1800 House Old Mill Old Jail

Week Days Only 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission Fees

The admission fee is 50 cents to each building except for the Old Jail 25 cents and Old Mill where visitors are asked to give a donation.

All Association Members presenting 1958 and Life Member­ ship cards and all children under 12 years of age are admitted free.