Historic Nantucket, January 1970, Vol. 17 No. 3

Historic Nantucket

Stone Alley — Originally Gunter's Alley

JANUARY, 1970 Published Quarterly by NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS

NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

President, Edouard A. Stackpole.

Vice Presidents, Miss Grace Brown Gardner, W. Ripley Nelson, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, George W. Jones.

Honorary Vice President, Mrs. William L. Mather.

Treasurer, Roger J. Roche.

Secretary, Mrs. Austin Tyrer.

Councillors, Edouard A. Stackpole, Chairman; Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews, Richard F. Swain, terms expire 1970; Mrs. Albert F. Egan, Jr., H. Errol Coffin*, terms expire 1971; Albert G. Brock, John N. Welch, terms expire 1972; Henry Mitchell Havemeyer, David Worth, terms expire 1973.

Executive Committee, W. Ripley Nelson, Chairman; Alcon Chadwick, Henry B. Coleman, Albert F. Egan, Jr., George W. Jones, Edouard A. Stackpole,

ex officio.

Advertising and Publications, W. Ripley Nelson.

Honorary Curator, Mrs. William L. Mather.

Curator, Miss Dorothy Gardner.

Editor, "Historic Nantucket", Ed'ouard A. Stackpole; Assistant Editors, Mrs. R. A. Orleans; Mrs. Margaret Fawcett Barnes.

Chairmen of Exhibits, Historical Museum, Mrs. Elizabeth Worth; Whaling Museum, W. Ripley Nelson; Hadwen House -Satler Memorial, Albert F. Egan, Jr.; Old Mill, Richard F. Swain; Old Jail, Albert G. Brock; 1800 House, Mrs. Roy H. Gilpatrick; Fire Hose Cart House, Irving T. Bartlett; Oldest House, Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews; Franklin-Folger Seat and Memorial Boulder, Herbert I. Terry. * Deceased.

Chairman and Receptionist Librarian Assistant Chairman Receptionist

Oldest House

Mrs. Elizabeth Worth Mrs. Clara Block Miss Florence Farrell Mrs. J. Clinton Andrews Mrs. Lawrence F. Mooney

Hadwen House - Satler Memorial

Albert F. Egan, Jr. Mrs. Irving Soverino

Chairman Chairman, Reception Committee

The 1800 House

Chairman and Receptionist

The Old Jail

Mrs. Roy H. Gilpatrick Albert G. Brock Joseph LaVoie

Chairman Receptionist

The Old Mill Chairman Receptionist Chairman Administrator Receptionist Receptionist, Craft Shops Relief Librarian Assistant Research

The Whaling Museum

Richard F. Swain Frank W. Ramsdell W. Ripley Nelson Walter W. Lindquist Mrs. Elizabeth Lindquist Bertram E. Morris Clarence H. Swift Charles A. West Mrs. Reginald F. Hussey Mrs. Sterling B. Yerxa Miss Helen E. Winslow

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 17

January, 1970

No. 3

CONTENTS

Nantucket Historical Association Officers

2

Editorial — Nantucket As An Artistic Representation of History

5

"A Cruise to Siasconsette" — Francis Barrett

i

6

The True Sentiments of An Older Time

9

"The Springs" at The Cliff on Hinckley Lane

11

A History of Siasconset — Karen Coffin

13

The News Prom Fredericksburg — An Episode of The Civil War — E. A. Stackpole

20

Letter From Nantucket -— 1776

23

Green Hand On The Susan — Edgar L. McCormick

25

Open House

34

Legacies and Bequests

35

Historic Nantucket is published quarterly at Nantucket, Massachusetts, by the Nantucket Historical Association. It is sent to Association Members. Extra copies $.50 each.

Membership Dues are — Annual-Active $3.00 ; Sustaining $10.00 ; Life—one payment $50.00.

Second-class postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Copyright, 1970, Nantucket Historical Association.

Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Hstorical Association. Nantucket, Massachusetts, 02554.

5

Nantucket as an Artistic Representation of History As time slips towards the last three-quarters of the 20th -century, the value of Nantucket Town as a physical entity becomes increasingly important. From the architectural representation, the streets and lanes, the landscaping, and the gardens, the old town now takes on an aspect of history which brings a new aware­ ness — and a new responsibility — as it enters a phase where protection of these qualities becomes a duty. The Nantucket Historical Association must assume a more aggressive role in the task of preserving the integrity of our town's portrayal as a place of history.

In essence, this role is both physical and symbolic. The part Nantucket played in the whaling chapters of maritime history is its finest claim to fame. This is the more important since it in­ volves not only American whaling but that of the Western World, as well. As the founder of the Southern Whale Fishery, the pi­ oneer in Colonial deep sea whaling, the greatest 18th century whaling port, Nantucket also stands as the only surviving town reflecting these stirring decades.

Thus, we find that the responsibility of preserving our Town involves not only the architectural, the physical evidences of this past, but the cultural background as well. This brings into the pattern both the artistic representation and the factual recording.

Of these vitally important segments the artistic, oddly enough, is the more complex in that it requires the more exact presentation of history. While the facts of history may bring out the details, the interpretation of these facts takes on an added responsibility and, by the same token, this must bring to the account those ele­ ments of art and beauty which stimulate the imagination and give a magic illumination to the background of the past.

6

"A Cruise To Siasconsette"

BY FRANCIS BARRETT

WHILE RESEARCHING in the library at the WhalingMuseum this past summer, Miss Helen Winslow found an unus­ ual narrative poem written by a young Nantucket man, Francis Barrett, titled "A Cruise To Siasconsette." As a contemporary account of a social affair, known locally as squantums, the poem provides an excellent contrast between the present scene and the days of a century ago. Miss Winslow discovered the narrative verse in a journal which Francis Barrett kept during a voyage to California in 1849, when he was a passenger aboard the ship Edward which, under Captain Shubael Clark of Nantucket, sailed from New Bedford on January 5, 1849, and arrived at San Francisco on December 8, 1849 — a voyage of 11 months and 3 days. The later adventures of this Nantucket '49er are unknown-

Tis evening; and all is still 'bout the house ^ "Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse" The girls all have met but are silent as night, And why, 'tis because not a beau is in sight: At last here they come, they cry with a shout, Their mothers I guess must know they are out They rush in the house, with a loud "how de do," Men say hurrah! girls, a cruise we've in view.

'Tis silence no longer, on their feet they all stand, And acknowledge their Joy by the clapping of hands: A cruise out to 'Sconsette, if the weather is fair, We'll take our own rations, and breathe the fresh air.

We'll open a house, and what is still more, We'll down on the beach see the boats come ashore.

All loaded with fish: and then in a trice We'll have one made into Chowder so nice: 0! Chowder, Sweet Chowder! tis well understood You must cruise out of town to make it taste good.

Well, now, the girls say, how shall we all go.

What house shall we have, and then to and fro They all run with Joy: (and some tumble down) In their haste to get the news spread over the town.

Well they've now got a house, if the weather is fine, They'll start tomorrow precisely at nine.

Tomorrow it comes not a cloud to be seen.

"A CRUISE TO SIASCONSETTE" 0 what a fine day for rejoicing I ween.

The clock has struck nine, they're all underweigh, And thinking how finely they'll all pass the day.

Here's a cartload of girls, and now let me see, If I know the one driveing, Yes 'tis Miss C. A. J. Here they come just behind us, and now whose the rest, That lay down so snugly like birds in their nest Why theres Miss A. L. C. and a Mrs. J. B. Mrs. F. and the rest I cannot quite see.

But just look behind. 0 My! what a train There ,8 or ten carts, and two in the lane.

And when to the house, or the end of our route — Why then I suppose we'll find them all out But now we've arrived at friend Coleman's house, 'Tis hurrah, and noise, (not still as a mouse,) Take the baskets and pails, help me out, cries Maria, 0 dear, not one bit of peat for a fire.

They first sweep the room out cleanly and neat And then send a beau out, to get them some peat.

A fire is soon made, how gloriously bright, And now they all cry let us stay out 'till night: The boats are all comeing, and almost ashore In a second each maiden is out of the door, Then each grab their bonnets, cry now for some fun The married (more modest!) you'll scarce see them run.

The table is set, the Chowder is done — And see what a profusion of viands is here, Cakes, apples and pies, and good ginger beer, Corn puddings, and yet the very best dish Is Chowder made from a fresh caught cod fish.

And now while they're eating, the merry joke passes, And 'tis all enjoyed by the lads and the lasses: 1 wonder says one when she's going to be married, 'Tis strange cries another, so long she has tarried — Says one I've heard he was very much smitten Says another I heard that he'd got the mitten.

Yet they all of them say, he has very long tarried — But still all conclude, they think he'll be married.

Now dinner is over, and each son and daughter, Says lets dance to the tune of Charley oer the water.

Then at it they go, and now hear the lasses Regretting the time, it very soon passes.

Then C. G. C. and F. C. preparing to go For see it is night, and then you must know The road it is long, but what's that to you When I tell you that they have some courting to do.

Then Miss M. L. J. and whole lots of others Came out in a cart but minus the brothers.

There's Miss M.A.S. and also her beau G. C. And lots of young men, with Mr. R. R. B.

7

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

There's M. I. C. You hear her glad voice, And near her is standing the man of her choice.

And see them all coming, along in a row And singing a song to a tune they all know.

But now they're in town, and scatter apart, Good night, and good night, cries each girl with her spark.

To their homes they retire, some to court, some to bed, And visions of 'Sconsette will roam through their head.

9

The True Sentiments of an Older Time IN LOOKING THROUGH some of his family papers recently Mr. H. L. Simms, of Brooklyn, N. Y., came upon a letter of ap­ preciation which was written over one hundred and twenty years ago.

"The penmanship is exquisite," writes Mr. Simms, "and the note of appreciation so beautifully expressed that I thought you might like to have a copy. It had apparently been sent by the head of the West Grammar School in Nantucket to his three assistants upon the occasion of his retirement. Henrietta Weeks was my grandmother."

The letter follows: Nantucket, Feb. 3, 1849 Ladies: The emotions of my heart when I contemplate the kind feel­ ing which prompted you to send me so beautiful a gift as you did this afternoon, can find no utterance in words.

Intrinsically valuable as that gift is, it will ever possess for me a higher worth on account of the source from which it comes and the occasion on which it has been presented.

Accept, therefore, my hearty thanks for the "little token" •of your remembrance, and the assurance that longer than its perishable substance can last, you will be remembered by me with no other feelings than those of gratitude and respect.

Pardon me for extending this note somewhat beyond its proper limits in order that I may add to the expression of my esteem my willing, grateful testimony not only to the forbearance which has uniformly characterized your conduct towards me, but to the faithfulness with which you have ever discharged your duty towards your pupils and employers.

May your future labors be as pleasant as your past have been untiring. May your end be as glorious as the commence­ ment of your course has been propitious; and if clouds do some­ times gather around your horizon and your faithful labors are rewarded only with the ingratitude of the unconscious recipients

10

THE TRUE SENTIMENTS OF AN OLDER TIME

of the priceless pearls of knowledge which are bestowed on them by you — still labor on, remembering that your record and . reward are on high.

And now, my friends, farewell. May He who sitteth on high and upholdeth all things by the power of his might, evermore keep and preserve you — such is the prayer of Your late unworthy fellow laborer and sincere friend George G. Ide To Miss Henrietta Weeks Miss Phebe Ray Bunker & Miss Sarah J. Baker — Assistants of West Grammar Schools

11

"The Springs" at the Cliff on Hinckley Lane THE CONCERN of residents living on or near Hinckley Lane over the suggestion that the lane be hard-surfaced has brought a number of queries as to how the lane received its name and what is meant by "the Springs."

A century ago, one of the few farms remaining along the north shore was that of Captain Eben Hinckley. From the ex­ tension of North Street (now called Cliff Road), a narrow lane led to the farm and continued on to the bluff top. Naturally, this became Hinckley Lane. For many years the nearest house was Thomas Hamblin's, near the head of North Liberty Street. The first summer residence in the area was Charles O'Conor's large mansion on the bluff top, later the summer home of Breckinridge Long's family.

Where Hinckley Lane reached the bluff, overlooking the beach, a twisting footpath led down to the sandy shore. Close at hand, a stream of water from a spring bubbled out of the clay bank, trickling down to where a natural pool had been formed in the blue clay base of the cliff. This has been called Sachem Spring for many years.

The area was a favorite rendezvous, and many Islanders enjoyed beach picnics and clam bakes under the bluff top's pro­ tection. Some time around 1882, Eastman Johnson, the famous artist, who enjoyed his residency in Nantucket, and who had a studio near the Reed Pond, decided to Improve the flow of water at Sachem Spring by inserting an iron pipe in the clay bank at what was believed to be the main outlet.

The result was disastrous as, being unattended most of the time, the pipe clogged and the water's natural course was dis­ rupted. The force of the pent-up spring asserted itself by breaking out in several places along the bank, thus obliterating the old channel. Mr. Johnson was disconcerted to find his good intentions so unexpectedly diverted and attempted to remedy the situation.

But the later efforts were as futile as the first.

12

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

In 1918, John H. Robinson, native Islander who was then with the Coast and Geodetic Survey department in Washington, - and William P. Hubbard, a summer resident who had erected a large summer place on the nearby bluff, attempted to remedy the situation by placing a cement basin at the base of the cliff.

However, the diverting of the original source of the spring contin­ ued to have the effect of not allowing its return to its former flow.

In later years, Mr. Robinson, who became manager of the Wannacomet Water Company after his busy service in Washington, humorously used to comment that his first interest in Nantucket's water supply had nothing to do with pipes!

Hinckley Lane remains one of the few Nantucket roadways still resembling its old-time appearance. There are many residents besides its neighbors who trust it will remain so.

— E. A. S.

13

A History of 'Sconset

BY KAREN COFFIN

INTRODUCTION I HAVE CHOSEN the history of 'Sconset as the subject of my paper. I had noticed many houses bearing- dates earlier than 1800 and I became somewhat curious as to the origin of these houses. I had also heard many legends and tales as to the origin of 'Sconset, and I decided to find out how it started.

In my paper I would like to learn a little about the history of 'Sconset; what is fact and what is fiction, and something about the many old, strangely shaped houses which line the streets along the South Bluff.

'Sconset began as a small fishing village during the seven­ teenth century. The fishermen, who came to fish during the cod season, which ran for six weeks during spring and fall, and the blue season, which was in August and September, built these shanties along the bluff as a shelter when they returned from a day's fishing offshore.

At first, these were very crude, with board chimneys, and the roughest accommodations for cooking, eating, and sleeping, all of which were done in one room. The table hung from the wall on hinges, and a three-legged stool was the only chair. Quite fre­ quently, the kitchen was housed in the porch, which had no walls.l The men lived in these shanties during the season, separated from their families by eight miles of rutted roads. Before long the women ventured over these roads to visit their husbands for a day or two. Oddly enough the women found that they enjoyed visiting their husbands in these shanties. With their visits, the shanties became neat and orderly. The men found that they not only enjoyed the women's company after a long day, but that the women lightened their cares by doing the cleaning and cook­ ing, and also gave the crude shanties the attributes of home.

Finally the women became indispensable in the shanty and they began staying for the season.

The crude structures became more comfortable. Floors were laid and stone fireplaces erected. The old "clinker-built" roofs were taken off, and boards were replaced on the rafters and cov­ ered with shingles. Old windows were brought from town. It was of no matter that no two windows were alike in size and shape. Doors that were no longer used on land and doors from

A HISTORY OF 'SCONSET

15

shipwrecks which had floated ashore were used. These doors were hung on wooden hinges and always swung out — never in. Soon the houses were not big enough. Small ells, known as warts, • were added, their roofs just three or four feet from the ground.2 With the growing needs of families, the rain water collected in hogsheads was not nearly enough to meet their needs. A col­ lection was taken up among the villagers and enough money was collected to sink a well more than six fathoms (thirty-six feet) deep. The pump met the needs of the villagers for the next four generations. This was in 1776.

Improvements were made in the houses as need warranted.

A wooden sink replaced the pewter wash basins, and was later followed by the iron and soap-stone sinks. More shelves were put up as needed. One by one the board chimneys were replaced by brick chimneys, the last being replaced in 1820. Some of these chimneys were not proportioned to the building, with chimneys of three feet square mounting houses of not more than twelve by fourteen feet.3 With the increase of whaling ships entering Nantucket Har­ bor, there was also an increase of revenue in 'Sconset. The crews and officers of these ships visited 'Sconset for an evening of entertainment while on the island. At least two taverns were maintained with entertainment for the men (New England rum could be had at three cents a drink) and food for the animals.

Prohibition had not been set up, but at times licenses were re­ fused. Devices were used to avoid penalties, such as this: Aunt Betsy Carey could sell only ice during the winter. So when rum was wanted they ordered ice. When the ice melted, there was a pronounced taste of rum. A bowling alley and billiard table were found to be paying investments.

Prosperous islanders began building summer residences in 'Sconset and it became the summer resort of the island. Around 1845 'Sconset had reached the fullness of its growth, with sixtyodd houses, fifty of which had been fishermen's shanties.

With the end of the whaling industry in Nantucket came an end to 'Sconset's prosperity, in a sense. Many people left their houses to decay and few people could maintain two houses, thus ending 'Sconset's prosperity as a summer resort at that time.4 THE HOUSES OF 'SCONSET To get a closer view of some of these houses let's take a tour of the village along the bluff, first turning up Broadway. The first house on the left is Nauticon Lodge. The name Nauticon is an Indian variant of Nantucket. Many of these cottages were built around the time of the War of 1812, when so many Nantucketers had to fish to eat. But this house carries the date of 1735 above the door, although it is believed to be much older. This is a

16

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

typical house of the 'Sconset style, with the ridgepole only ten feet from the ground. The roof line has been extended to make a wart.

The next house, Auld Lang Syne, which is now crumbling with decay, was once the pride of the village. The house was owned by Micah Coffin, who hired Indians to do his fishing while he stayed onshore and did the cooking. This house is thought to date back to the close of the seventeenth century. In the door there are four keyholes, worn out with long usage, one after another.

Another one of the old houses of the village is a few steps beyond, on the same side of the street. Now called Shanunga after a ship wrecked on this shore some eighty years ago, it is better known as the Carey house or the Baxter house, after its former owners. This is not such a typical 'Sconset style house because it has an upper story, but it has many warts m the true 'Sconset manner. This house is more reminiscent of local history than the others.This used to be the village tavern, with the tap room measuring eight by ten, where whalemen could drink New England rum at three cents a glass. In the middle of the nine­ teenth century the tavern was run by Mrs. Carey.

During the next generation the tavern became known as the Baxter house because Captain Baxter, who ran the stage between 'Sconset and Town, married Mrs. Carey s daughter. He was the self-appointed postmaster of 'Sconset and made the tavern into the post office.

The house now looks as it did in 1811, but the low part of the house was built about two hundred and fifty years ago.

This portion of the house was brought all the way from Sesachacha, a once-important fishing village which has now completely disappeared, on rollers.

Between the village and the beach there was a settlement of squatters known as Codfish Park. There are still small cabins in the Park that suggest the way all 'Sconset houses were built, a stray window here, an old door there, a piece of tiling tor the chimney.5 Aaron Coffin's little house, the Martin Box, probably is the best illustration of the gradual growth of the fisherman s house than any other. It was built by Obadiah Folger and was then a single room extending from the chimney to the south. It is but ten feet high to the roof peak. The little bedrooms were then added, then it was extended to the north, next an extension of two rooms was made to the west, and later an old boathouse was moved and added to the east, its large door flush with the street.

Felicite, at one time owned by Benjamin Lawrence and Capt.

Charles McCleave, and then sold to Richard E. Burgess & Sons,

A HISTORY OF 'SCONSET

17

is a two-story house with a gable flush with the street, and a wing extending to the north. In 1814 when it was owned by John Emmitt, Felicite was a very old house. The Burgess' have used it * as a grocery and provision store. The north wing was at one time the assistant lighthouse keeper's residence at Sankaty.

Sans Souci, owned by Mrs. J. H. Belcher of Providence, has a strange history. It was originally erected on Trader's Lane, Town, where it served as part of a duck or twine factory. The kitchen was a boat-house, belonging to Mrs. Belcher's grand­ father, and the bricks in the chimney were in the British ship, "Queen," when she was wrecked on the Island. Part of the house was first taken to Madaket, and then brought to 'Sconset. When it was moved to 'Sconset in 1811, it became the first house to have a second story. In 1879 the house had thirteen windows, of which no two were alike.

The Casa Marina had its beginning as a small fisherman's cottage, but has now been enlarged and remodeled so there is little, if anything, to remind us of its original form.

Further up Broadway there is a house known as The House of Lords, which is a typical 'Sconset house built by Gershom Drew sometime around 1812. It was sold by Captain Chandler Brown Gardner to Mrs. A. H. Nelson, who had it enlarged so that it no longer bore any resemblance to the old fisherman's cot­ tage. Captain Gardner purchased the house sometime during the fifties for twenty-five dollars and four quintels (400 pounds) of codfish. It became known as the House of Lords because for years fishermen met at night during the season to swap stories of their experiences on shipboard on the fishing grounds.

Dexioma was owned by Stephen Hussey in 1814. The south part is nearly two hundred years old, the beginning of the house dating back to the beginning of the eighteenth century. While making alterations, Captain Wilber found four copper cents dated 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, and an old Spanish coin with the pillars of Hercules, worth 6V2 cents, behind a diagonal beam.

Between Shell and Center Streets is a small house known as Hearts-Ease which was owned by Jonathan Jenkins in 1814.

Around 1820 Reuben Starbuck owned it. He added to it and employed a mason to lath and plaster the interior, making it one of the first houses to be plastered.

On the opposite side of Shell Street there was a shop which was used by Charles Elkins for a store-house when he kept a public house nearby. The old shop and residence combined was made from two buildings — one of them stood near the pump on the corner of New Street, and was used as an ice cream parlor

by Alfred Folger; the other was a small store building, owned

by Captain George Coffin, which had stood to the east of his home on New Street, which is now known as Seldom Inn.

A HISTORY OF 'SCONSET

19

On the site where the post office now stands, there was a small house (which was moved to Morey Lane and is known as » the Sea Shell) owned by Obed Coleman and his son. The house was known as Uncle Rube Ramsdell's habitation while on the post office site. He was very deaf and one night during a heavy gale the roof blew off. He didn't discover this until he awoke and saw the stars above his head.

The small house next to the store corner on New Street is known as Daisy Cot. It belonged to Captain David M. Bunker and was originally a little store on the wharf in Town, owned by his father-in-law, David Wood. They moved it to 'Sconset and set it near its present position. Before its enlargement a fewyears later, it was the smallest house on the Bluff, and still is quite small.

William Owen's house, which was the next house to the west, was moved from Town, near Mill Hill (where it had been the home of Jared Tracy). Later when Park Street was cut through, the house was moved further west along New Street. It was moved to Sankaty Road, after the Siasconset Casino Association purchased the land on which it stood. 6 CONCLUSION I have learned a great deal of the history of 'Sconset in doing my paper. My only regret is that I was not able to cover more of its history. To do so would have taken volumes.

At the present time many people spend their summer va­ cations in 'Sconset. Who would have imagined that a one time small fishing village, inhabited only during the season, would become such a famous resort?

Because there were far too many houses to cover, I chose only the ones that are well known or had interesting backgrounds.

It was suprising to find that a number of houses were moved from locations in Town. This must have been an extremely difficult task.

FOOTNOTES 1. William Oliver Stevens, Nantucket — the Far-Away Island.

(New York, 1947). Page 213.

2. R. B. Hussey. The Evolution of Siasconset. (Nantucket, 1954). page 6.

3. Ibid, page 14.

4. Ibid, page 17.

5. Stevens, op. cit. page 215.

6. Hussey. op. cit. page 22.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Hussey, R. B. The Evolution of Siasconset. The Inquirer and Mirror Press. (Nantucket, Mass. 1954).

Stevens, William Oliver. Nantucket — The Far-Away Island.

Dodd, Mead & Company. (New York, 1947).

20

"The News from Fredericksburg" An Episode of the Civil War

BY EDOUARD A. STACKPOLE

On the 15th of December, 1862, the steamer Massachusetts was sighted coming into port with her flag at half-mast. An early winter storm had interrupted the regular steamer and packet service to the mainland, and news of the Civil War was anxiously awaited. The significance of the position of the Stars and Stripes on the staff of the steamer was all too well known, and there was a silently anxious crowd gathered at the wharf when the Massachusetts finally came around Brant Point and reached her berth.

The news was quickly forthcoming, and the newspapers gave the sad details. A great battle had been fought at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in which Massachusetts regiments had been engaged, and Nantucket had suffered its second severe casualty list. Nine young Islanders had given their lives, with a dozen more wounded.

At no other time in the mid-19th century had Nantucket experienced such a period of gloom. The Island was in the grip of an economic depression, with its whaling fleet literally vanish­ ing, and now there had come a shock which struck everyone as if by a physical blow. The Civil War had already taken its toll of young Islanders at Ball's Bluff, the previous year, while at Antietam, only a few months before, there had been a brief en­ counter when the 20th Massachusetts, to which they were at­ tached, had been engaged.

But in this battle at Fredericksburg the toll was as high as in any single engagement, and the closely knit island community was deeply burdened by the sad news. The 20th Massachusetts, of the Army of the Potomac under Burnside, had encamped at Falmouth, above the town of Fredericksburg, and the battle took place from Dec. 11 through Dec. 13, 1862.

Not too many years ago, we had the good fortune to interview the last survivor of that battle, James H. Barrett of Orange Street, who told his story of Fredericksburg as follows: "We encamped on a hill overlooking the Rappahannock.

Across the river at this point, about a mile away, the rebels were fortifying. Our army remained here a month, and we men used to overhear the officers talking of Burnside in disgust."

"THE NEWS FROM FREDERICKSBURG"

21

Never before or after did the Army of the Potomac suffer . more severely. This terrible blunder on the part of the Union leaders has long been the subject of study by military strategists seeking to find some measure of reasoning in Burnside's attack, but in Mr. Barrett's account of the battle one does not need to be versed in military art to become aware of the sad mistake that was made.

"Fredericksburg was across the river from us," he said.

"When pontoon bridges were ordered built, the rebel sharpshoot­ ers began to fire and our men had to stop the work. Artillery and musket-fire made no impression upon the rebels, who were con­ cealed in the houses of the town. It was realized that the front row of these houses had to be taken. They called for volunteers.

The 20th Massachusetts was among the first to step forward, and among them Lieut. Leander Alley and other Nantucket vol­ unteers — experienced boatmen. Together with the 7th Michigan we got into the pontoon boats, rowed across under the hot fire, then charged the first houses in sight and took 'em.

"Our officers kept encouraging us by shouting: 'We'll have tents of our own tonight, boys!' Meaning that they expected us to capture the rebel camp on the heights above the town. The ground through the city gradually rose, so that there weie houses above us where the rebel sharpshooters had established them­ selves in good positions to pick us off. The 20th, my regiment, together with a New York regiment, was supposed to clear the city of these sharpshooters so as to make way for the divisions coming up. But the 20th was finally ordered to do the work alone, and we went on with it.

"I tell you it was hot work. We Nantucket boys in Company I kept together and moved up with Captain Butt Holmes, Lieut.

Leander Alley, Sergeants Albert Kelley and John Summerhayes, and Corporals Baker, Pratt, Green, Randall and Whitford—- all ot them Nantucketers, as well. There were 68 of us Nantucketers in Co. I besides these officers.

"As I say, we charged up the streets, drove the rebels out, and gained our objective. It was growing dark at the time and we often had to fire at the flashes of the rebels' guns.

"I fought alongside Josiah Murphey and Benjamin Luce, who came from the Vineyard. The next day we took part in storming the heights behind the town. We couldnt take them, the rebels were behind a stone wall on a hill. After that next day s fighting the army retired across the river.

"We lost Lieut. Leander Alley, and Josiah Murphey, who had been wounded, was sent home with his body. During the fighting in the streets, we heard a voice calling. We shouted back: 'Who is it?' and the voice replied, 'Billy Welcomb, Company I, 20th

22

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

Massachusetts.' We rescued him, but he was badly hit and died - next day. There were nine Nantucket boys killed and 10 wounded in that battle. I was wounded in the foot."

Those who gave their lives in the Battle of Fredericksburg are included among those names engraved on the granite shaft of the Civil War Monument on Main Street. They were: Adjutant Clinton Swain, of the 81st Pennsylvania; Lieut. Leander F. Alley, William H. Winslow, William A. Welcomb, John B. Coffin, Charles F. Ellis (who died of wounds a month later), Charles A. Morris and George E. Snow. Among the wounded were Josiah F. Murphey, Thomas Russell, Fred Barnard, James H. Barrett, Daniel Chase, George H. Coffin, Edward P. Greene, Edward P. Orpin, Albert C. Parker, Charles F. Swain.

Nantucket has borne its share of sacrifices in the several great wars which, since the Civil War, have found our Nation on trial, and there have been those periods of sadness when word that Islanders had died on the battlefield. But, for a time of shock and gloom, it would be difficult to recall a more gloomy day than when the little steamer brought the bad news of the disaster at Fredericksburg. *

Within a few days another dispatch reached the Island add­ ing further sadness. A battle in North Carolina, near Kinston, has brought an added toll of casualties, with two Nantucket men killed — Edward H. Daggett and George K. Robinson, the latter only 17 years old and whose father was serving as a teamster in the same regiment, the 45th Massachusetts. Wounded in this same engagement were the following Nantucket soldiers — Henry Brown, Obed Coffin, George Ellis, Timothy B. Folger, Stephen S. Gibbs, Francis M. Folger, Davis Hall, Horace Hewett, Francis P. Turner, Alexander Mansfield, William H. Macy, Henry C. Ray. The body of Lieut. Leander Alley was brought home by Josiah Murphey, who had been wounded in the battle, and an almost silent crowd gathered at the wharf on Christmas Day, 1862, when the steamer arrived. The funeral was held the next day, with the services being conducted at the North Congrega­ tional Church. Stores were closed and schools dismissed for the day. It was the first military funeral ever held on Nantucket and the interment of Lieut. Alley's body at the Prospect Hill Ceme­ tery marked the first of the Civil War burials in the Soldiers' Plot.

23

Letter from Nantucket — 1766 A letter written from Nantucket two hundred and three years ago was recently acquired by Mrs. Barbara E. Johnson, a summer resident, whose Whaling Museum in Princeton, N. J., is one of the most unusual private museums in the country. Long an admirer of Nantucket, Mrs. Johnson, whose summer home is in Gorham's Court, has added a number of valuable documents dealing with Island lore and whaling to her collection, among which is this interesting letter which she has graciously permit­ ted to be copied for "Historic Nantucket." It reads as follows: Nantucket, June 30th, 1766 Mr. John Haign (Merchant in Philadelphia) Dear Sir I arrived at this Island on Saturday the 7th Inst, since which have not had a direct Opportunity for your port till now.

The bearer hereof, Mr. William Fry, being on a Visit here among Friends, & intending shortly for Philadelphia, I have troubled him with a packet of Letters under Cover to Mr. John Keble, directed to your Care, which please to deliver him.

I will not pretend to paint this place in its proper Colours, for that is a task beyond my abilities, & for which Nature never designd me: but among the other Inconveniences it abounds with, there is a Barr of Sand at the Mouth of the Harbour, which few Vessels can cross but at high Water, & even then they sometimes ground; & when they Load a Vessell of any Considerable Burthen, they are put to the disagreeable Necessity of taking in only a part of her Cargoe at the Wharfe, then Transport the Vessell to the other side the Barr & have the Remainder of her Cargoe carried to her in Lighters, which Renders it very Tedious.

Nantucket lies in W Lon 70 Latt 41 on the Coast of N. Eng­ land: Situate (upon a Right Line) about 80 Miles to the Southwd. of Boston; but to go Round it is Computed to be about 110 Miles.

According to the best Accts. that can be Obtained there is about 120 Sail of Vessells belonging here — Sloops; about 10 of which are in the Coasting (Trade) from hence to Philada., Bos-

24

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

ton, & the W. India Islands; the other 110 are all in the Whaling . Employ.

They sometimes make 2 or 3 trips Annually to the Banks of Newfoundland, the Streights of Belleisle, Davis's Streights & Canada River in Quest of Whale, & oftentimes with great Success: but the dismal State of their Spring Fishery is at present Really discouraging, as there is not Obtain'd at this Time above half the Quantity of Oyl the Smallest Fishery has afforded these Fourteen Years, if Ever, according to the Number of Vessells Employed.

There is but two places of Worship on the whole Island, i.e., one Friends Meeting House and one Presbyterian. I Expect shortly to have the pleasure of Writing you again, & am with Respects to you & all friends, particularly Mr. S. Taylor, & Mr. T. Read, to whom I desire to be Remembered.

Sir your Sincere Friend & Hble. Servt.

Joseph Alston Junr.

25

Green Hand on the "Susan" — 1841-1846

BY EDGAR L. MCCORMICK VI STRUCK BY LIGHTNING ON JAPAN (Continued from HISTORIC NANTUCKET, July, 1969) ON SATURDAY MORNING, April 15, 1843, the Siisan sighted "a high, long, and fruitful Island, laid down on the chart as Ocean High Island." By 5 o'clock the whaler was surrounded by the canoes of "very civil" natives well-supplied with coconuts, "first rate hats," brooms, lines, and implements of war. Among these tattooed and painted traders were seven white men and one black "who had most all left ship lately." Among the whites Andrew Meader discovered Charles Beard of Nantucket who had re­ quested his discharge here from the Lydia under Captain Cathcart.

Fine weather prevailed, and the Susan continued N.W. amid "plenty of Porpoises." On Monday it was Meader himself who raised Pleasant Island, "very rightly named, for truly it is a beautiful place, quite large and populous.

"The natives," he reported, "are very good looking and seeming [sic] to be quite peaceable. They came aboard in large canoes containing from 10 to 20 natives, each one bringing an abundance of fine sinnett [sennit] hats, which were bought for a plug of tobacco apiece. . . . Towards night there came off two out of seven white men who had lived some time at this island.

The natives had never troubled them, for most all uncivilized natives generally think a good deal of a white man. They told us that a 'taboo' had been laid by the chiefs on the produce of the Island, and few recruits [supplies] were to be expected from them [i.e. the white men]. Although there was a great plenty, yet a white man is not allowed to buy anything to sell again of what they eat themselves."

About 100 natives were on deck trading at one time, and Meader counted more than 50 hats being sold to "the Steerage boys." He was pleased that these islanders had "a little more regard for decency, since they wear a piece of matting called 'Tappa' tied round the waist and extending nearly to the knee."

At 10 that evening the Susan spoke the Edward, Daggett, Hudson, 28 months, 400 bbls., bound to Japan by way of Ascen-

26

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

sion on a cruise similar to the Susan's. Two days before, the Edward had "spied a singular looking sail" and lowered two boats to investigate and found it to be a canoe of 15 tons, with a com­ pany of 45 half-starved natives, men, women, and children, who by all appearances had got adrift from one of the weather Islands, lost their reckoning, and were now at the mercy of the wind and waves. They were without provisions or water and when taken aboard fresh wounds were about their bodies where they had drawn blood from each other to keep . . . from starving.

While the ship was three miles off, the natives were so afraid of not being seen that several of them jumped overboard and swam for the ship. When within a mile a shark attacked one of them but by some means the native kept him off and swam to the ship with the loss of most of the flesh from one of his arms.

They were all taken aboard, fed, and their canoe made fast astern. They could not make known anything in English, neither could the whalers understand the natives where they were from or where bound. So as they were near this Island they concluded to put them ashore here . . . this morning they were within ten miles of the land, with the canoe astern, preparing provisions and water for 25 to land when the whaler perceived about 50 canoes containing not less than 500 warriors giving chase.

After a while they came up with the ship and attacked the natives who were still in the canoe towing astern. After butcher­ ing the oldest and most helpless in the canoe they cut her away and made for the shore, while others were attempting with a horrid noise and confusion to board the ship and take the remain­ ing natives, but Capt. Daggett . . . armed every man with either a Boarding Knife, Pike, Fork, Lance, or Spade, and with great difficulty kept them off, and running from the land in hopes they would leave him, which they did, but not until the land must have been out of sight from their canoes.

Captain Russell reported: "It was about this time that we raised her and I think during our run down to her, we came across one or more of the returning canoes for one heard a distant Kanaka hallooing long before we spoke'the ship. But on my going aboard I was struck with the appearance of the remaining 20 natives lying round on the deck and looking as though their best friends were lost. . .. . among them were a number of women, infants, and young children. By their not knowing the use of Tobacco I put them down as belonging to Drummonds Island about 400 miles to windward. ... On getting below decks, we had a pleasant gam till 12 o'clock."

Captain Russell noted briefly in the ship's log that Captain Daggett "had about 24 natives aboard that he had picked up the day before in a canoe drifted from Halls Island," adding that Daggett had picked up 40 natives and "landed about 20 of

GREEN HAND ON THE "SUSAN"

27

them at Pleasant Island and was about to land the remainder when he discovered they were not well-treated by the natives.

One of the women was knocked overboard and drowned. He is now bound to Ascension with the remainder."

That rarity, the whale, appeared on April 18 and the Captain himself "set four spouting blood." They saved two and had them both cut into horsepieces six hours after lowering. In good weather with the Edward in sight, they steered N by W. On the 20th they gam'd till late, Captain Daggett coming aboard, and the hands were hosts to "a musical boat's crew who gave us some late news from Tahiti." Both ships were unsuccessful on April 22 when late in the day they sighted a large school of whales. "We could see but a short distance from the boat," Meader reported, "it being the most rugged time we ever low­ ered." The ships exchanged longitudes and found a difference of only 22 miles between their reckonings. Captain Russell judged that they were near Strong's Island.

On Sunday, April 28, in the midst of a hard rain, a school of sperm whales passed to leeward, close by the ship, but it "blowed so hard and looked so bad" that the crew had to furl the mizzen topsail, mainsail, foresail and jib instead of lowering.

"The last we saw of the Spermies is while we are reefing," An­ drew recalled with regret. ". . . we think it too bad to look at them so motionless and not be able to lower for them, but the weather is altogether too bad."

On Monday the 24th, Strong's Island, "high, rugged, and barren-looking," was in sight from the deck all day. The ship's log gave the Susan's position as 5 degrees, 15 minutes North and 163 degrees, 46 minutes East. The Captain found the island about 30 miles too far West by the chart. Through the calm afternoon the crew "fished from the tailrail and bows and caught a number of curious small fish of brilliant colours. We are told, said Meader, "they get food from the vessel's bottom. Those that eat them called it a first rate dish."

Even with an all-day three-knot breeze, it seemed impossible to pass the island, and on the evening of the 25th it was still in sight. — At 11 p.m. "a very bright planet was observed within about 2 degrees of the moon," later to be identified as Venus. But the weather changed, and after a day of squalls, came a night so dark "the old fellow himself might be within a hair of us and we never would know it except we smelt his odoriferous sulphuiic breath."

The Susan's sails were by now so "ragged and poor the Skipper dare not carry hard on them." On April 28 they bent a new mainsail and mended the Mizzen. On the 29th, just before

28

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

noon, John Wood, a boatsteerer, came from aloft with a leg in bad shape, but he was on duty again the next day. It was the Captain who went aloft on May 1, the first to glimpse Ascension Island 30 miles ahead. They stood off that night, but miscalcu­ lated on the current which carried the Susan away from the island.

It was not until Tuesday, May 3, that she reached the anchor­ age on the S.W. side. "Thus ends our second cruise of 5 months, having taken 5 whales which make 100 Bbls, seen them 10 times, lower'd 9 times, and got them 4 times. Have spoken 4 ships, touched at 9 Islands, and recruited twice since leaving Tahiti.

We have had plenty of bad weather and plenty of good treatment and provisions and plenty of bad luck, but the next cruise I hope the tide will run in our favour." So Meader summed up that por­ tion of the voyage just before he went off duty for a week with a bleeding sore. *

*

*

*

At anchor near Susan were the George and Susan, Howland, New Bedford, 18 mos., 500 Bbls., the Balaener, Manchester, New Bedford, 17 mos., 650 Bbls. After stowing water and trading for yams, there were sessions with the "strangers" at night, and one foray into the mountains for game yielded "quite a mess of wild pigeons." The three skippers went to the reef for shells but had little luck. On May 9 the Balaener "raised quite a hubbub and mans all the boats in the harbor giving chace to a white settler who had tried to and finally did cheat the Captain out of 400 yams."

The wooding, watering, and painting continued through all these diversions. The Susan was being readied for a cruise to Japan. She had received 15 cords of wood, 225 barrels of water, a few wild bananas, and 10,000 or 60 bushels of yams. The Balaener and the George and Susan were towed out and caught the trade winds just as the Susan completed her trading.

By Friday, May 12, Meader had recovered. As the third cruise began he wrote at length about Ascension and the Susan's visit there: "At daylight weigh the anchor, put three boats ahead and tow out, leaving an Island and harbour that I had heard but very little about. There are two harbours, one to windward and one to leeward, the weather one is called the best, but the Lee one we went into and found it quite large enough for twenty-five ships, but a difficult passage between coral reefs and sand spits before you can anchor. On dropping anchor we were beset with canoes filled with natives of both sexes who came to trade belts, Sugar Cane, Fish, and shells . . . for which they wanted Tobacco and Jews Harps. The market price for Jews Harps is fifty cents apiece. They were a new thing to the natives, and as one of our officers had a good lot to sell, he done well and could [have] sold many dozen to the white settlers for six dollars a dozen.

GREEN HAND ON THE "SUSAN"

29

"This Island is a large, mountainous, and fruitful tract of land, well supplied with excellent water and wood. It is more than sixty miles long and about thirty wide, producing a few wild hogs, a few fowl, plenty of wild bananas, Sugar Cane, Yams, and Cocoa nuts which are tabu until they are ripe, plenty of wild pigeons and fish. The fish the natives dress with their teeth and fingers and eat them raw. There are five distinct tribes on the Island who make war against each other sometimes, but latterly since ships have come here to recruit, they have been on peace­ able terms. There are about sixty white settlers here, some of whom have great sway amongst the natives and are made chiefs of tribes, and having lived several years among them can talk their language." * HE * * The Susan, about six miles out, with its boats still unrigged for wooding, encountered a school of sperm whales and took three in a dangerous chase. Captain Russell in the Starboard boat "got his boat stove so bad that he put his sail under the boat to keep her from sinking but he kills his whale. ... I was off duty," added Meader, "so I had a fair chance to see the movements."

They began boiling on Saturday, May 13, but a heavy squall forced them to cover the try-works for two hours. Meader was still ailing and apparently was off duty until May 17 when he reported the mending of the Starboard boat. The Susan steered N. by E., in rugged weather, bound for Japan.

Cleaning shells gathered at Ascension seemed the only rec­ reation as the crew reefed sails in drenching rains. "The weather grows so cold as you go North," said Meader, "that thick jackets are worn at the wheel and masthead. Saturday, May 27, he re­ ported that "we now call ourselves on the Japan cruising grounds . . . extending in latitude from 25 degrees N to 45 degrees North in longitude from 175 degrees W to 130 degrees E away in amongst the Japan and other Islands on the coast of Asia. Only certain months that ships can cruise here, for the most part of the year it is visited by typhoons and rugged weather. From June to October it is good weather and a great many ships cruise here and generally do well. The Whales are said to be small but fat.

H: * * * That same day Captain Russell noted briefly that "at 8 a battle ensued between Dougherty, the Blacksmith, and Pease, a Boatsteerer. They were parted and consequently Dougherty . . . had to receive a dozen with a small bit of line for this and pre­ vious bad conduct." Meader remained silent about this encounter.

Likewise he apparently was not aware on May 31 that the Susan passed over the ground where the Calunas Islands were shown on the chart. "I am surprised they do not exist," wrote Captain Russell. But Meader noted that the Susan spoke the Ann Alex-

30

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

ander, Taber, New Bedford, 11 months, 500 bbls. and that even though she was under whole topsails "we sail better than she."

Heavy gales buffeted the Susan for the next four days, but one nearly calm afternoon the crew had a chance to catch an abundance of small floating shells. "They look some like a Nauti­ lus," wrote Andrew, "are about the size of a York shilling, and of a white colour." But such diversion was the exception. Only the "washerwoman of Sekonett" could appreciate "such a fall of pure, fresh water."

Certainly the drenched crew, only recently in port, could not.

"I had as leave cruise off Cape Horn ... in fact 'tis worse weather here and more reefing and furling. . . . Oh, cruel Japan. . . .

Here we are rising seventeen months, one third of our time al­ lotted for the voyage, with scarcely one sixth of our cargo, with no word from home, in dirty rugged weather and no prospect of a lucky cruise. I say 'tis enough to make a fellow curse his but­ tons."

After speaking the Bark Canton, Lucas, New Bedford, 20 months, 600 bbls. on June 13, the Susan kept four sails in sight for two days, learning on Friday, the 16th, that they were the Mary Mitchell, Lawrence, Nantucket, 9 months, 300 bbls.; the Ganges, Pitman, 22 months, 500 bbls.; Adeline Gibbs, Bayles, Fairhaven, 21 months, 1000 bbls.; and the previously mentioned Canton. Captain Russell went aboard the Mary Mitchell to wind­ ward and Captain Pitman "from leeward, gams and sups with us and soon after goes where the other Captains are." Reuben Rus­ sell noted in the Susan's log that he "went on board the Mary Mitchell and got letters from home, the first I have received since I left which is 18 months . . . they brought me some melancholy news, the loss of a dear sister [Jane Andrews, who had died Au­ gust 2, 1,842]." Andrew Meader also received letters, one from Cara and one from Alex, his sister and brother.

On June 20, finbacks caused a false alarm: "We thought them whales because they spouted so regular." The next day in fine weather they spoke the Eleanor, Barnett, of London whose Captain "said he had done nothing in the whaling line." On June 25 they gam'd with the Omega, Haggerty, Nantucket, 33 months, 1300 bbls. and on the 26th with the Potomac, Hussey, Nantucket, 20 months, 950 bbls. "A good gam it was too. There was several towneys of mine there and among them was young Swain & Wyer," wrote Meader. The next day they spoke the Bark Lexing­ ton, Providence; four ships were in sight all day. The evening of June 29 brought another gam with the Potomac.

On July 5 the Susan spoke the Fawn, Dun, London, 38 months, 800 bbls. "She gams with us till near 11 — their Doctor comes aboard and examines our sick, but prescribes nothing different from what the Captain is now administering." On the 6th, after

GREEN HAND ON THE "SUSAN"

31 seeing Killers, they spoke the Vineyard, Crocker, Edgartown, 33 months, 850 bbls. "The shippers gam there and the mates gam'd Levi Starbuck, 2nd mates gam'd Susan . . . till midnight. A fine » moonlight night." *

*

*

*

On Tuesday July 11 with "first rate weather for whaling" the Susan began standing two lookouts forward. The next day brought "Jumpers, Killers, Porpoises, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., but no whales." A gam with the Young Hero, Brock, Nan­ tucket, 15 months, 500 bbls., was encouraging, for there were three large whales on deck, 80 or 90 barrel ones.

The fine weather persisted. The Susan had another gam with an English whaler, the Bark Ranger, Green, London, 37 months, 1100 bbls. But Captain Russell had little to do with ships that did not share the hard old times of whaling. On July 25 he noted briefly: "At 3 p.m. passed ahead of a dandified looking ship steering to the S.E. Felt too poor to speak him." But two days later they gam'd with the Martha of Fairhaven and the Cortes of New Bedford. Captain Sayer of the Martha came aboard "for tea." He had been out 22 months and had only 600 bbls. in the hold.

When on August 1 the Susan had its long awaited chance at a whale, her ailing crew responded gallantly. Meader summed up the day's difficulties: ". . . lower the Starbd, Larboard & Bow Boats. Mr. Pitman [the First Mate] pulls on, strikes, and gets stove to pieces. Mr. Macy [3rd Mate] picks up the men and frag­ ments and carries them aboard and Capt. goes and fastens one, and at 1 p.m. [the chase began soon after 10 a.m.] have him turned up. He is a buster and will make 80 Bbls."

Boiling, stowing down, and mending the larboard boat oc­ cupied the crew for nearly two weeks. On August 13 a gam with the Waverly, Munroe, New Bedford, 11 mos., 450 bbls., prompted Meader's brief comment: "no letters." But someone used the occasion to torment the Negro cook: "Our Poor Cook in troubled waters today [August 14] because some mischievous fellow sent him a package of two old shipworn papers and an unsealed letter, blank inside and out except the direction. The bearer of it gave it to him last night representing it to have come by the Waverly and as none of the other Nantucketers had any, he felt mighty tickled first along, thinking his Bedford friends had thought a good deal of him to send papers. Today someone put a flea in his ear, and to know that he was trapped he burst forth in the pure Wirginny language, charging me with the 'hole ob de gettin' up ob dat' and says 'stop where you is, play wid somebody 'sides Tom'."

On August 24 they met the Elizabeth, Hedge, Salem, 31 mos., 1300 bbls., bound to the Sandwich Islands for "recruits" since she had scurvey on board. Alexander Rose, of the Susan's crew was

32

HISTORIC NANTUCKET

off duty under the personal care of Captain Russell. The ships - proceeded eastward in company, and Meader as usual, was proud of the Susan: "We beat her before the wind with half the sail or on the wind or anyhow she likes but still their crew say that 'nothing beats Elizabeth' — that's right, stick out for the fe­ males."

On August 27, Captain Russell commented: "At 6 p.m. Cap­ tain H[edge] came on board & got his favorite dog which we had a few days." The Susan's position was 31 degrees, 30 minutes North latitude and 177 degrees, 22 minutes East longitude. The Cook, Tom Cooper, as well as A. Rose was off duty. On August 28 the Captain opened a barrel of potatoes preserved in molasses and gave them to the crew to prevent scurvey. The next day both ships chased a school of whales in vain: "Oh Caesar how they spin in to windward," lamented Meader.

On September 2 the Susan spoke the bark "Fortune, Almy, Plymouth, three years out, 450 bbls. "Hard old times," declared Captain Russell. "I went on board," he said! . . . and returned with an English doctor, which he [Capt. Almy] happened to have on board, to prescribe for Mr. Coleman, Alexander Rose & the old Cook who are seriously ill. He bled Mr. Coleman & pre­ scribed very skilfully for the rest for which I paid him $5.00." By the 4th only Rose remained off-duty.

Oliver Coleman, 2nd Mate, was off duty again on September 6 as the Susan gam'd with the Japan, Riddell, Nantucket, 24 mos., 1150 bbls. Other ships nearby were the Clifford Wayne, Crowell, New Bedford, and the Nantucket whalers Omega, Lydia, Mary Mitchell, Obed Mitchell and the Levi Starbuck. On the 7th the Japan entertained the three skippers, the Wayne, the mates, and the Susan the 2nd mates. Meader learned that "old Silsbee Samp­ son is come whaling. Left a salary of $650.00 and came to the Pacific!" :jc

sfc

%

sfc

H1

But sudden disaster engulfed the Susan on September 16 near 31 degrees North and 175 degrees West: "Fine weather, moderate breeze from Eastward, steering Southward under all three T. G. Sails, all sail. The Obed & Mary in Company . . ." wrote Meader later when all was secure again. "At 10 a.m. per­ ceive a heavy squall rising so we take in Sail . . . the other ships follow our example but before our sail was snugly taken in we noticed two claps of thunder which seemed very near us. In fact some of the men working about the Fore topsail sheets in clean­ ing up were so electrified with the shock as to be numbed for a moment.

"Sail being taken in, and the rain coming heavy our Captain, not dreaming of a heavy tempest, told the men to get out of the rain, while he himself went below to examine the 'Weatherteller'

GREEN HAND ON THE "SUSAN"

33

or Barometer. He looked at it, made some remark like 'the worst of it is over' and was walking towards the gangway when a clap burst upon us sounding as though — ah, I can't describe that sound, it seemed so unearthly.

"I was really startled but unwilling to believe we were struck.

I cast my eyes towards the Captain's to discover by his counte­ nance if I had any cause for alarm, but he appeared unmoved and I was going to thank Providence for a narrow escape when a cry came from on deck. 'The Royal mast is gone!' We all immediately sprang on deck and amidst the pelting, drenching rain perceived Smoke coming from the hatches.

"We now concluded she must be on fire between decks. We fell to in earnest and passed water till the smoke was all gone, which was soon, as the smoke was probably only caused by the electric fluid coming in contact with foul air between decks.

As soon as we thought her on fire, the colours were hoisted half mast & the wheel put up in hopes that the weather might clear up and show our situation to the Obed. In a few minutes we saw it clear up to windward and presently here was the Obed two miles off, lying to. As soon as she perceived our colours, half mast, she lowered away and their Captain came to our assistance, but by this time he got here it was all over, and fine weather again.

Half an hour was all the time it occupied in nearly making a wreck of us.

"It seems the Lightning first struck the Royal mast, breaking that in two, then the Royal yard, breaking that in the middle, then the Top Gallant yard, making kindling, then the Topmast near the deck, scattering fragments all over the deck. It then fol­ lowed the mast as far as the lower hold and then escaped through the ship's sides, abreast the Main hatches at the water line.

Neither the Fore or Mizen was injured but the Main will take some time to repair. Scarcely a man on board escaped the shock.

Some were thrown prostrate and some felt the effects for hours but not one received serious injury."

By dark, with the aid of a boat's crew from the Obed Mitchell, the Susan's crippled spars were all on deck and Capt. Coffin had sent back to his ship for a spare topgallant yard. The holes in the sides were repaired and under doubly reefed fore topsail, stay­ sail, spenser and spanker, the Susan headed S.S.E. with the Obed Mitchell close by.

(To Be Continued)

34

Whaling Museum and Hadwen-Satler House Were Open for the Holidays As added attractions to Nantucket's visitors during the holiday season, the Nantucket Historical Association once again opened two of its foremost historic structures during the Thanks­ giving, Christmas and New Year vacation periods.

The Whaling Museum on Broad Street and the Hadwen-Satler Memorial House on Main Street were opened from Friday through Sunday during these three holidays, between the hours of 2 to 5 o'clock each afternoon. The response in all cases was significant of the appeal which these structures have for our visitors. It is regretted, however, that more Islanders did not take advantage of the opportunity to visit them.

The Whaling Museum, with its wealth of exhibits, housed in the historic candle house, and the white-pillared Hadwen HouseSatler Memorial presents to visitors a combined and authentic picture of Nantucket's whaling industry and the home life of a 19th century successful whaling merchant.

Staff members were on hand at both buildings to welcome visitors and to help them enjoy the various exhibits during the special openings.

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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 development of our country. You can perpetuate that interest by giving to the Association a legacy under your will, which will help to insure the Association's carrying on. Counsel advises that legacies to the Nantucket Historical Association are allowable deductions under the Federal Estate Tax law.

Legacies will be used for general or specific purposes as directed be the donor. A sample form may read as follows: "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Nantucket Historical Association, a corporation duly or­ ganized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and located in the Town of Nantucket, in said Commonwealth, the sum of Dollars."

Legacies may be made also in real estate, bonds, stocks, books, paint­ ings, or any objects having historical value, in which event a brief descrip­ tion of the same should be inserted instead of a sum of money.

Please send all communications to the Secretary, Box 1016, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554. Office, Fair Street Museum.

The Wauwinet Packet — Catboat "Lillian"