Historic Nantucket
October, 1975 Published Quarterly by Nantucket Historical Association Nantucket, Massachusetts
NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
President, Leroy H. True Vice-Presidents, Albert G. Brock, George W. Jones, Alcon Chadwick, Albert F. Egan, Jr., Walter Beinecke, Jr., Mrs. Charles Clark Coffin Honorary Vice-Presidents, W. Ripley Nelson, Henry B. Coleman Secretary, Richard C. Austin Treasurer, John N. Welch Councillors, Leroy H. True, Chairman Mrs. H. Crowell Freeman, Miss Mary Gardner, terms expire 1976, Benjamin Richmond, Francis W. Pease, terms expire 1977; Mrs. R. A. Orleans, H. Mitchell Havemeyer, terms expire 1978; Robert D. Congdon, Harold W. Lindley terms expire 1979 Curator, Miss Dorothy Gardner Historian, Edouard A. Stackpole Editor, "Historic Nantucket", Edouard A. Stackpole; Assistant Editor, Mrs. Merle Turner Orleans.
STAFF Oldest House: Chairman, Mrs. Kenneth S. Baird Receptionists: Mrs. Margaret Crowell, Miss Adeline Cravott Hadwen House-Satler Memorial: Chairman, Mrs. Phoebe P. Swain Receptionists: Mrs. Irving A. Soverino, Miss Marjorie Burgess, Mrs. Alfred A. Hall, Mrs. Henry G. Kehlenbeck, 1800 House: Receptionist: Mrs. John Kittila, Sr. Old Gaol: Chairman, Albert G. Brock Whaling Museum: Chairman, Hugh R. Chace Receptionists: Clarence H. Swift, Mrs. Herbert Sandsbury, Frank Pattison, Abram Niles, James A. Watts, Jesse Dunham, Miss Lucia Arno. Peter Foulger Museum: Chairman and Director, Edouard A. Stackpole Receptionists: Mrs. Elizabeth B. Worth, Mrs. Clara Block, Joseph Sylvia librarian: Mrs. Louise Hussey Nathaniel Macy House: Chairman, Mrs. John A. Baldwin Receptionists: Miss Dorothy Hiller, Mrs. Henry C. Petzel Archaeology Department: Chairman, Paul C. Morris, Jr. Field Supervisor, Miss Barbara Kranichfeld Old Town Office: Chairman, Hugh R. Chace Old Mill: Chairman, Richard F. Swain. Miller: Hugh MacVicar Folger-Franklin Seat & Memorial Boulder: Chairman, Francis Sylvia Friends Meeting House-Fair Street Museum: Chairman, Mrs. Harding U. Greene, Cochairman, Mrs. Alfred M.P. Amey
HISTORIC NANTUCKET P u b l i s h e d q u a r t e r l y a n d d e v o t e d t o t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of Nantucket's antiquity, its famed heritage and its illustrious past as a whaling port. Volume 23
October, 1975
No. 2
Nantucket Historical Association Officers and Staff
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Editorial — "Tradition and the Sound of the Bell"
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The Whaling Museum by Hugh R. Chace
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The Inquirer and Mirror Reports the Wreck of the "Marshall"
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The Peter Foulger Museum — An Interim Report by E. A. Stackpole
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"Man Overboard" — The Rescue of "Billy" Joy During a Gale by E. A. Stackpole
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Obed Macy's Proposal
30
Legacies and Bequests
31
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 $5.00; Sustaining $25.00; Life one payment $100.00 Second-class postage paid at Nantucket, Massachusetts Copyright, 1975, Nantucket Historical Association. Communications pertaining to the Publication should be addressed to the Editor, Historic Nantucket, Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554.
Rising Over The House Tops The South Tower Dominates An Island Town
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Tradition and the Sound of the Bell An Editorial Early this year the traditional ringing of the old Portuguese bell in the tower of the Unitarian Church suddenly ceased. The electrical mechanism which had replaced the dependable 1881 Howard Clock had developed a malfunction, and a vital part was needed. But weeks and months passed and still the system did not function and the bell was silent until a few weeks ago. For well over a century the familiar sound of the mellow-toned bell ringing the hours has been a part of Nantucket life. The customary 52 strokes at 7:00 in the morning, 12:00 noon, and 9:00 o'clock at night, has been an accepted practice. It is an Island tradition that should be main tained if for no other reason than it is an historical part of our community life. It is such historical characteristics which make Nantucket different from any other part of the nation. Maintaining our historical facets is as important as maintaining economic features of the Town and Island which bring visitors and summer residents — a form of insurance for our "stock in trade." The custom of ringing those extra 52 strokes each day goes back to the year 1811, when the old Revere bell in the North Church tower was used. An observant visitor in that year wrote: "The great bell, agreeable to a good old custom, is tolled every evening at 9 o'clock to warn the citizens to their homes." A few years later it was voted to ring the extra strokes three times daily. In 1849, when the bell in the South Tower became the official bell for the town clock, the custom was continued. As we consider the tradition, remembering the faithful bell ringers who continued the practice, we have a deeper understanding of this Nantucket custom. The tones of the ancient Portuguese bell, originally cast to call the good people of Lisbon to their prayers, has been heard by generations of Islanders, whether borne on the wings of a gale, or echoing softly within summer breezes. Many have counted the measured strokes of the hours with the evening and morning prayers. Young and old have come to feel the tradition of the tower and its bell as part of their own generation. Modern Nantucket needs what the old Nantucket has given as an Island inheritance.
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The Whaling Museum Attendance and total revenues at the Whaling Museum for the season just ended exceeded all expectations and established a new record by a substantial margin. I wish that I could support a claim that this was the fruit of our own expanded effort but most of the gain, if not all, can probably best be explained in terms of the larger number of visitors on the Island and by the great amount of publicity that has been given the whale as an endangered species. The swelling influx of people in our midst will undoubtedly be viewed as a mixed blessing by those of you who fight tooth and nail during July and August to negotiate, by car or on foot, the three long blocks between the Pacific National Bank and the Pacific Club. I remain silent except to say that if given a choice I would much prefer to welcome to the Museum 100 percent of 50,000 visitors to our shores than 50 percent of 100,000. If this be treason, let the Chamber of Commerce make the most of it! We continue to plug away at sprucing up the place and rearranging exhibits when this appears desirable for a more effective display. Last year I reported that the Reading and Scrimshaw Rooms, upstairs hall and the reception and sales area had been redecorated and reorganized. Since then a similar program has been completed in the Portrait and South Seas Rooms. This winter we plan to move on to Sanderson Hall, the main exhibit area, and to do some relabeling in various locations. In connection with this program, we gratefully acknowledge the help given us from time to time by visitors with specialized knowledge that we do not possess. For example, last year the Curator of the Brooklyn Museum made a suggestion which we hastened to follow regarding the large Maori canoe model in the South Seas Room. This past summer Mr. R. J. Porter of Niantic, Connecticut, an avid collector of whaling and related artifacts, pointed out that some of the items in our display of native weapons brought back from the South Seas by Nantucket whalers were mislaDeled as to description, provenence or both. When he got back home Mr. Porter took the trouble to send us a considerable amount of source material bearing on the subject and we are now in the process of making the necessary corrections. We had one oddlooking shark-tooth dagger labeled "boomerang" which it in fact resem-
THE WHALING MUSEUM
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bled. Sorry about that. A complete list of changes will be available to all interested members on payment of $1000, cash or check, accompanied by a notarized pledge of secrecy! Now for some bad news and some good news. First the bad news. Twice during the summer thieves or vandals tried to force an entrance into the museum. The good news? Our alarm system alerted the police im mediately and they were on the scene within minutes. Unfortunately, the culprits had time to escape but it must have been a close thing. You will be glad to know that, in addition to windows and doors, our system affords protection to all vital areas inside the museum. Bill Walmsley, our sterling manager in 1974, left for-greener pastures at the end of the season. We were sorry to lose Bill but most fortunate to replace him with Frank Pattison, retired Pastor of the Nantucket Methodist Church, who already knew more about Jonah's adventure than we did. Since then he has been filling the gaps in his secular knowledge of whaling and you may have heard his informative and well-delivered talk on one of Clarence Swift's days off. Not a word about Jonah and even Swifty admits he is good. Clarence is now a veteran of ten years as first mate in Sanderson Hall and he continues to be a great crowd pleaser. Chubby Watts and Hazel Sandsbury are capable boat steerers at their usual positions and Abe Niles and Jesse Dunham, with Francis Abbott as a substitute, still perform their important function of ship keepers while the regular watches take time off for chow. Bea Killen was ordered to sick bay early in the season but we hope to have her back on board for the next cruise. Lucia Arno, Jane Appleyard, and Bud Craig were new members of the crew this season. Lucia was usually to be found officiating in the Reading Room while Jane presided at the sales counter. The Law of Probabilities states that the chances of having two such attractive and cooperative young ladies in the same small organization at one and the same time is zero point zero; but it happened. I never did think much of the Law of Probabilities, anyhow. Bud is also a semi-retired man of the cloth, a Presbyterian this time just to prove we have no religious prejudices. My own feeling is that his temperament is more ecumenical than dogmatic. In any case, his knowledge of whaling literature is now second only to that of Ed Stackpole
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
and his enthusiasm for the subject knows no legal bounds. I may yet decide to fire him for the heinous crime of knowing more than I do. You had better let me catch you in an error, Bud. It may not be fair but life is like that! While I am on the subject of personnel bear with me while I tell you a little about our faithful volunteer workers who have helped immensely to improve our service to the public. Pat Searle, Debbie Newhouse and Harold Taylor are all enthusiastic students of scrimshaw and deserve full credit for making this exhibit one of our most appreciated attractions. Bill Searle performed a like function in the Reading Room and as a backup 'tween decks when Swifty was holding forth. Laura Baldwin took time off from her responsibilities at the Macy House to beef up our security on Sunday mornings. Thank you, one and all! We are anxious to put together a new exhibit of the tools and techniques of scrimshawing and would be eternally grateful to anyone willing to part with a small old hand lathe or cross cut saw of the kinds sometimes used on whaleships in this activity. Strange to say, we are also lacking a jack knife of the period and an early copy of Godey's Lady's Book from which many scrimshaw designs were taken. We do have a number of raw teeth in our collection which can be used to illustrate various steps in producing the finished article. Hugh R. Chace Chairman
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The Inquirer and Mirror Reports /
the Wreck of the Marshall A RECENT GIFT to the Association is the research material compiled by the author of Life Saving — Nantucket, and contains information on Nantucket Life Saving Stations, Lighthouses and Lightships and Ship wrecks, together with related material. Among the factual reports is the account of the wreck of the bark W. F. Marshall, as reported by The Inquirer and Mirror over the initial period of her coming ashore and continuing through her eventual breaking up during the following months. The first Life Station on Nantucket was built in 1874, and still stands at Surfside, where it is now an American Youth Hostel. The Station was opened December 1, 1874, with Captain Joseph Winslow as the first Keeper. It was March 10, 1877, that the first emergency arose — the wreck of the big bark W. F. Marshall. The Nantucket newspaper reported the story as follows: March 10, 1877 As Mr. Horace Cash of the Life-saving station was returning to the house from his boat yesterday morning, about five o'clock, he discovered through the mist, a large bark headed directly for the shore which she soon struck at the head of Mioxes Ponds, driving well up on the beach. A strong southeast wind was blowing at the time. Aid soon arrived and the vessel was boarded. It proved to be the bark W. F. Marshall of St. Johns, N.B .* Captain James H. Wright, with a crew of fourteen all told. The wife and child of the steward were aboard, but were immediately landed and cared for. The wind was blowing onshore yesterday which gave no opportunity for an attempt to get her off, but if the weather moderates today an effort will be made to rescue the vessel. The captain says, "We left Hampton Roads Wednesday afternoon (March 7th) bound for St. John. The weather was fine until Thursday afternoon when a breeze sprung up gradually increasing to a moderate gale. Took an observation Thursday at noon and then steered east of north intending to pass twenty miles inside the South Shoal Lightship. The weather continued to thicken at night, and about 12 o'clock looked at my chart and figured we were some fifty miles south of Nantucket; afterwards
The Wreck of The Bark W. F. Marshall on The South Shore
THE WRECK OF THE "MARSHALL"
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went on deck and took in topgallant sails, when I went below and laid down, about two o'clock, leaving the second mate in charge of the deck. The vessel was under topsails and courses, and was making some eleven knots when we struck. The first intimation we received of being in shoal waters was on entering the breakers, when we almost immediately struck. We could make no land, and until hailed by the patrolman considered we were upon some shoal inside the lightship." The bark is a new vessel, of 940 tons burthen, and has made but one voyage — to Ireland from which she had just returned in ballast, having been ordered to Hampton Roads for orders. She is owned by parties in St. John and by the captain and is partially insured. A large number of people went from town yesterday to see the wreck. The crew are ashore and the vessel is under the charge of two of her officers and a boat's crew of wreckers. The Humane Society's apparatus and crew were promptly on hand, being carried out from town, but it was not necessary to use them. March 17, 1877 The vessel lies in about the same position as when she stranded last week. The captain has a force of men employed in stripping his craft. The boats, part of the rigging, cables, hawsers, sails, and some of the yards have already been brought to town and stored in the warehouse of Captain Matthew Crosby on Commercial Wharf. Captain Smith the agent of one of the Bangor offices arrived in town yesterday. We understand that the office has about ten thousand dollars insured on the bark. It is stated that an attempt will probably be made to haul her off. The crew of the IV. F. Marshall left here on Saturday last. They were provided with a good meal at Woods Hole through the kindness of Captain Charles Grant of this place. (On March 21st the Italian bark Papa Luigi C. came ashore about one half mile east of the W. F. Marshall and is referred to in subsequent items) March 31, 1877 The bark W. F. Marshall was sold at auction on the beach Wed nesday afternoon at two o'clock by Mr. Peter Folger for $185. Mr. James Powers of Boston was the purchaser. The spars sold for $25. The sails, rigging, etc., which had been brought to town were also sold during the afternoon bringing but a small amount.
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
Mr. Powers, who has purchased the wrecked bark W. F. Marshall, will send down a crew with the necessary applicants, to attempt getting the ship off immediately. Mr. J. C. Macy has engaged a number of men here to assist in the undertaking. (Less than two weeks after the Marshall was wrecked another bark was lost at Surfside, but closer to the Station. It was the Papa Luigi C., from Italy, bound for Boston; her crew was saved but the vessel became a total loss.) April 21, 1877 The Italian bark Papa Luigi C. was sold at auction in Boston on the 13th instant, James Power & Co., of that city being the purchaser. We do not learn the price paid. Mr. C. Chase, of the Norfolk Wrecking Co., has been here and made surveys of the two wrecks now lying at the south shore, having been engaged by Messrs. Power & Co. to get them off if possible. He seemed to be satisfied that the job can be done and has sent for a wrecking schooner and materials, which are expected to arrive here soon. April 28, 1877 The wrecked bark Papa Luigi C. which was sold at auction in Boston recently brought with her anchors and chains, $530. The materials sold for $1400.
May 5, 1877 Captain E. Burden of the Norfolk Wrecking Co., arrived in town with two or three of his men on Thursday for the purpose of hauling off the two wrecks now lying on the south shore. They will commence operations immediately on arrival of the schooner which is to bring their apparatus, which they are expecting to arrive every minute. They will operate on both vessels at once.
(Item: Two hundred vessels took advantage of the fair weather and stiff westerly breeze of Thursday to make their way up the Sound)
THE WRECK OF THE "MARSHALL"
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May 12, 1877 The wreckers have got their houses erected on the beach and com menced business on Thursday last, getting the fore yard of the W. F. Marshall ashore and hoisting the anchor which was in her hold on deck. May 19, 1877 Mr. Power has sold to Messrs. Gibson and Bartlett of Boston the two wrecks at the south side of the island, at a large advance upon the price paid. Mr. Bartlett, who has been in town, went away Thursday morning to procure the necessary implements for wrecking the vessels, which will still be under the charge of Captain Burden. As soon as their lighter is at liberty, she will be sent here with divers. They appear to feel confident of success in floating the W. F. Marshall. May 26, 1877 A portion of the wrecking apparatus — including the steam engine — to be used on the W. F. Marshall is expected by the Boston packet. June 9, 1877 The schooner Forest City arrived here last Saturday with apparatus for the wreckers' use. She proceeded around to the south side of the island, Captain Thomas Brown acting as pilot, where most of the stuff was landed. Owing to the rough weather some of the heavy articles could not be taken ashore, and she came around to the wharf, Thursday, to put them out. June 16, 1877 Mr. Louis Forbes, sub-marine diver, with William Gillen his assistant arrived here on Tuesday, bringing his armor. On Thursday he went over on the outside of the W. F. Marshall making an inspection of the hull from the main to the fore chains. He found three leaks occasioned by butts starting, one of them large enough to enable him to put his hand through it. Owing to a heavy swell he was unable to remain down long enough to do any work. Yesterday morning he was making preparations to dive again, when he would put patches upon the leaks. As the weather was good he probably accomplished the work. During the day Thursday a descent was made from the Italian bark.
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The diver reports her perfectly sound as far as he inspected her. He brought up some brimstone (cargo), a cake of which was sent to Boston yesterday morning as a sample. The wreckers express themselves confident of floating the W. F. Marshall. Just before we go to press we learn that the diver went down alongside bark W. F. Marshall yesterday forenoon and succeeded in doing con siderable caulking. June 23, 1877 Nothing of importance has yet been done toward getting off the W. F. Marshall, the bad weather having delayed operations. Another donkey engine has been taken on board to assist in pumping her out. As soon as the ballast can be removed from the hold, an attempt will be made to haul her off, when, if it is successfully accomplished, the vessel will be taken to Boston. The diver who has been at work on her recently was called off on a special job, but it is stated, will return today. The vessel has moved offshore some eight feet, and everything looks favorable for floating her. The wrecking schooner Forest City came very near stranding on the south shore last Tuesday during the heavy southwest blow. The vessel came almost upon the shore, her anchors being insufficient to hold her. A hawser was run out to the heavy anchor to be used on the W. F. Marshall and the schooner hove off. June 30, 1877 The longshoremen at work on the wreck, on Thursday, struck for an advance on the price paid them, and carried their point without trouble. They now receive 30 cents per hour. The wreckers did the biggest day's work that they have accomplished since the W. F. Marshall came ashore, getting out about one hundred tons of ballast. They Avent to work again yesterday noon and if the weather holds good will soon clear the hold. A large leak in the after part of the vessel was discovered and stopped.
THE WRECK OF THE "MARSHALL"
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July 7, 1877 Since our last issue the idea of hauling off the W. F. Marshall has been abandoned. The heavy winds and sea of Sunday and Monday last caused the vessel to heel still more, and she now lies with her masts touching the water. The two donkey engines and the steam pumps have been brought to town and put aboard the schooner Forest City for shipment to Boston. Both wrecks will be stripped of everything worth saving. The report cir culated that they would be burned is unfounded as we are informed by the gentleman in charge. The amount expended on the vessel thus far does not fall much short of $6,000, of which amount but a small portion can possibly be recovered. (Item: A fleet of two hundred vessels was in the sound last Tuesday). A schooner arrived here from Ellsworth, Me., yesterday, having on board lumber for Mr. J. B. Macy. She will take on board the cables saved from the W. F. Marshall, on her return. July 14, 1877 The British schooner Ripple, Morehouse, which arrived here on the 6th instant, from Bear River, N.S. with a cargo of lumber and palings for Mr. J. B. Macy . . . . (follows an account of her difficulties with customs) has unloaded. She is now taking on board the chains, etc., of bark W. F. Marshall which will be conveyed to St. John, N.B. July 28, 1877 The wreckers on the Italian bark found a large chain cable aboard, Wednesday, which was secured. Both this vessel and the English bark have now been pretty thoroughly stripped. The spars of the former craft still remain but will be taken off soon. September 29, 1877 The wrecked bark W. F. Marshall was burned last Sunday the torch being applied shortly after noon. Large numbers of people drove down to witness the conflagration and were well repaid for so doing.
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Further items about the bark Papa Luigi C.
September 22, 1877 The schooner Republic arrived here from Boston, Thursday. She came in for a pilot to carry her around the island to the Italian bark, from which it is proposed to remove the brimstone, a couple of divers having been brought along for that purpose. September 29, 1877 The wrecking schooner Republic is anchored near the Italian bark, and the wreckers will commence operation immediately. October 13, 1877 The schooner Republic came in from the Italian bark, Monday. She had taken out but a small lot of the brimstone. During the severe storm of October 12-13, 1878, the vessel broke up and her bottom eventually landed on Tuckernuck.
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The Peter Foulger Museum— An Interim Report IN ITS fourth year of full operation, the Peter Foulger Museum may be said to have become an important part of the Nantucket Historical Association, both as an exhibitor of historical materials and as a research center. The dedication of the staff has never been more evident, and the regular functions of the Museum have continued along familiar and satisfactory lines. Mrs. Clara Block continues to serve as custodian of the second floor, while Mrs. Elizabeth Worth, for so many years receptionist at Fair Street and in the early years at the Peter Foulger, serves in that capacity on weekends. Joseph F. Sylvia is completing his second year as a full-time custodian, and Mrs. John A. Stackpole has been the regular receptionist for the first three days of each week during the summer months.
In her second year as Librarian at the Museum's headquarters, Mrs. Louise Hussey has found the transition from the Whaling Museum has worked smoothly, with the transfer of the invaluable logbooks and jour nals, account books and microfilms, as well as the books and pamphlets, being accomplished without incident. The importance of the Library has become more fully recognized as its use increases, but the 1975 year has brought cut as never before its potential. This has been occasioned by the introduction of an under-graduate course in Nantucket History and Culture, under the auspices of the University of Massachusetts-Boston with the vital co-operation of the Nantucket Historical Association and the Coffin School.
Early in January, Professor Barry Phillips arrived from Boston to make arrangements for the housing of twelve students from the University of Massachusetts who comprised this first class. They were joined by sixteen Nantucket residents, completing a class of twenty-eight. The course was divided into two sections, the first being a study of Nantucket History, with Edouard A. Stackpole as the lecturer, and the second being devoted to the natural environment, under the direction of Wesley Tiffney, of the University of Massachusetts' Quaise Station. Classes convened each morning at 9:00 o'clock, at the Coffin School, the first hour with Mr. Stackpole and the second with Mr. Tiffney.
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Over a period of three months the students worked on their theses at the Peter Foulger Library. Miss Susan Griffin, who had been engaged to prepare a check-list of our manuscript collection, proved to be invaluable in assisting the researchers. With the arrival of spring, the Environmental Studies Program, in volving visiting school groups from the mainland, found Historian Stackpole presenting regular weekly lectures at the Museum, as well as con ducting walking tours with these groups. Among mainland schools represented were the Rocky Hill School, Connecticut; the Fay School, Southboro, Massachusetts; Moses Brown School, Lincoln School, Wheeler School, and the Providence Country Day School-all from Rhode Island. In addition, there were several school groups coming to the Island in the early summer, including those from New Canaan, Conn., Windsor School, Boston, Massachusetts, Renbrook School, Hartford, Conn., and an interesting group from Nashville, Tennessee, and from Falmouth, Cape Cod.
The most unusual visitation was that of students from the Rhode Island School For the Deaf, while the largest ever to arrive on the island was a delegation numbering 538 which came on a day's excursion from the Barnstable school district. This latter occasion found Administrator Leroy True and Historian Stackpole meeting the boat, and leading the students to the Atheneum Library where their glee club sang a few songs. The feature of the visit was in conducting the entire delegation on a tour up Main Street, through Centre to Broad Street, thence to the Museums. These programs of study on Nantucket and its environment, carried on under the direction of the Environmental Studies leadership have now been conducted over a period of five years, and the Nantucket Historical Association and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation have co-operated fully in them. During the spring and fall months under the supervision of teachers selected by the schools involved, the students are housed at the Youth Hostel in Surfside. In 1974, the Coffin School Trustees voted to become the sponsor for the Environmental Studies Program, with Renny A. Stackpole, who originated the idea, serving as the Co-ordinator. James Lentowski, Secretary of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation, is the Co-chairman, as well as one of the active guides, while Wesley Tiffney and Clinton Andrews, at the Quaise Marine Station, of the University of Massachusetts, are also closely affiliated as participants.
THE PETER FOULGER MUSEUM
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The Nantucket Schools also have become a part in these group visitations at the Peter Foulger and the Whaling Museum. Some seventyeight 8th Grade students visited this spring, under Mr. Sullivan, and a few days later High School students, with Mrs. Henry R. Terry and Charles Pearl, as leaders, enjoyed visits. On another occasion two bus loads of Nantucket School pupils were guided through the Old Jail and the Old Mill, and also visited the Oldest House, where Mrs. Kenneth Baird, the Chairman of the Dwelling, was the hostess. The pattern of correspondence continues along the lines of historical questions, many from professional writers as well as from universities and other historical societies. Some interesting exchanges concern the editing of the Frederick Douglass Papers, at Yale University, with contribution from Nantucket, as well as information passed along to the editors of the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Permission to use photographic copies of some of our paintings have been granted to writers and editors of the American Heritage, the National Geographic and the Cape Cod Compass, as well as to several students who are preparing doctoral thesis. Letters requesting genealogical information regularly appear, and both Mrs. Worth and Mrs. Hussey, as well as the Director, have provided such material. Each summer, our Library is busy with a variety of researchers, and now the winter months are also the time when a number of writers come to Nantucket and find our facilities available to them. Two young graduates of the Harvard Graduate Schools have completed two excellent cartographic studies of Nantucket, and have found the Peter Foulger Collections of vital importance. Students at the Nantucket In stitute for Historical Preservation, now in its fourth year, under the direction, of Dr. Blair Reeves, regularly utilize the Association's Library at the Peter Foulger Museum. For the first time in our Association's history a check list and inventory of our extensive collection of photographs and photographic plates has been conducted. The services of Drur Kahn, over a period of several months, have been utilized, so that the assortment of glass negatives, regular photographs, and prints could be segregated and placed in their respective categories. The scenes of Nantucket streets and people of the 1880-1900 period are especially valuable, and their historic significance will increase as the years pass. Studies are being made of the old views by John McCalley, of Studio 13, and William C. Spring, and many owners of Nan tucket's old homes have requested permission to copy photographs of the
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house originally taken by Henry S. Wyer and Harry Piatt. Over a period of years, Miss Helen L. Winslow, of Nantucket, has devoted many hours each summer to a study of the Nantucket whaling logbooks. One of her important contributions has been the preparation of a printed form, whereby a student may follow a research index and fill out certain features from the logbook entries. Through this method the logbook may be more properly read and pertinent entries noted, so that the com pleted form becomes a comprehensive and important summary of the log's contents. Miss Winslow's continued interest in our Library is very much appreciated. Work on the inventory of the shipping papers of the whaling firm of Charles and Henry Coffin of Nantucket has continued, although not steadily, as the work has been carried on by individual undergraduate students who have volunteered for this task. Following two young ladies from Bradford College and Boston University-Miss Gerster and Miss Keesham-the work was carried on by Misses Jane Cobb and Kimberly Long. In this regard, the students are working at our Library as a part of their college semesters, and with the approval of their faculty advisors. Two young college men have spent several weeks of research in the Library during March and April. From Princeton University, Andrew Carroll has been working on his master's thesis, his topic being Nan tucket's development as a summer resort in this century; Thomas Cowherd has been working on Nantucket whaling statistics for his master's thesis from the University of Pennsylvania. From the University of Virginia, Miss Sharon Mayes found our Library and Research Room useful in March as she worked on her thesis—Nantucket Folk Lore—utilizing not only our books and manuscripts but our group of tape recordings and records. Early in May, Peter Thomas in his writing of Captain Paul Cuffee's biography, appreciated the use of our microfilm reader. Miss Jean Dissen, of William Smith College, in New York, has also made inquiry as to our genealogical records. Facilities at the Peter Foulger Museum are so arranged as to provide that necessary privacy so important to the researcher. Now that the Library formerly at the Whaling Museum has been added to the shelves of the Peter Foulger, the Nantucket Historical Association Library is becoming more and more important. One of the essential needs is catloguing our book and manuscript collections, and the addition of some locked cases for our rare books now kept in the vault.
THE PETER FOULGER MUSEUM
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During the year a number of accessions were received, among which was a "first proof" print of Jon Stobart's painting of Nantucket harbor in 1835, given by Mr. Stobart and Harry Carpenter; a Chinese Fan and two pieces of Chinese carving, brought home to Nantucket by Captain Eliakim Gardner in 1807, are loans from a descendant of Captain Gardner, now retired and residing in his Nantucket home—Franklin Folger Webster; a large ship's figurehead, excellently carved—the High-lander— presented by Robert M. Waggaman, who has also added the gift of a large painting by Elizabeth R. Coffin, titled "Grandmother's Garret;" two old Nantucket rush-seat chairs have been presented by Miss Esther Gibbs; while our Library has been enriched by a definitive book on the famous marine artist, J. E. Buttersworth, by Rudolf Schaefer, made possible through the interest of Mr. and Mrs. James Brown. One of the outstanding exhibits was made possible by the Trustees of the Coffin School, who placed on loan the portrait of Elizabeth R. Coffin by Thomas Eakins and the self-portrait by Miss Coffin. These have been hung in the second floor exhibit room, close to other paintings by Miss Coffin. Our collection of portraits has been improved by having several restored, notably Captain Timothy Folger, Captain Isaiah Folger and Captain and Mrs. Uriah Coffin. Two pastel portraits of Captain Nathaniel Coffin (18th century) have been presented by Union Lodge, F. & A. M., important additions to our displays. In June a special exhibit featuring the paintings of Leroy Neiman, especially created for the Artists' Limited Edition of Moby-Dick, was opened and continued over a period of five weeks. Both the artist and the publisher of this special edition of Melville's classic were on hand for the opening of the exhibit, following a reception at the Jared Coffin House. Steven J. Abramson, publisher of the special edition, unveiled the exhibit, and responded to the invitation to introduce the artist who illustrated the book. Mr. Neiman spoke on the challenge of Moby-Dick, and of his in terpretation of the classic. The Association's Historian, Edouard A. Stackpole, concluded the brief ceremony with a commentary on Melville's tributes to Nantucket as they appear in his monumental work. At the reception in the Eben Allen Room of the Jared Coffin House several photographs were taken in which the Association's President, Leroy H. True, and members of the Council who had accepted invitations to be present, appeared with Messrs. Abramson and Neiman. After leaving Nantucket the exhibit went to Sag Harbor, New York, also a whaling town; thence to Chicago, and so on to Japan.
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
This special edition of Moby-Dick is unusual for its size (11 x 14 in.) and quality of typography and unusual interpretative illustration by Mr. Neiman. Jacques-Ives Costeau, famous explorer, wrote the preface. It was fitting, indeed, to have a copy for our Library—the gift of an interested member, Mr. Henry Pfeiffer, whose summer home is at 12 Lily Street. The second floor of the Museum has been utilized for a series of lec tures over a period of months. "The Best of Scrimshaw" was the title of Mrs. Barbara Johnson's talk, well attended by an appreciative group of members and visitors. "One Hundred Years on Nantucket" was presented by Historian Stackpole, using the stereoptican slides of the i 870-1920 period. This was repeated during the summer of 1975, as was his talk."The Changing Waterfront," in which views of the old wharves and the present scene were shown. Another lecture illustrated by color slides was titled "Nantucket Reflections," and this was also well attended. This has been a very fortunate year in regard to acquisition of Nan tucket whaleship logbooks. From Gilbert Verney, for many years a member of our Association, we have received two manuscript Journals, that of the ship Constitution, Captain Obed Bunker, 1847-1851, and the ships Weymouth, Capatin Moses Harris, 1826-1831, and the ship Maria, 1831-1833, the latter two in the same volume—being Journals kept by Charles C. Morton. The Weymouth Journal complements the portions of the Logbook of the ship on the same voyage, which was given us last year by Mrs. William West, after having been found between the floor boards of the Centre Street house owned by Mrs. West, originally the home of Captain Harris. Another welcome addition to our maritime collections was the Logbook of the whaleship Nantucket, Captain George W. Gardner, 18411845, a ship built on Brant Point. It was presented by Richard Gerould, of Cambridge, Mass., a descendant of the Russell family of Nantucket. In July, a group of visitors representing the descendants of the Riddell family came to the Island, bringing with them a veritable treasure trove. Led by Mrs. Miller Gay (Jane Riddell Gay), the gifts they presented our Association consisted of four logbooks, three of which contained two voyages each-this representing sever voyages. The earliest was of the ship London, of London, England, 1794-1799, the journals having been kept by Captain Charles Gardner, of Nantucket, who was the Mate on the first voyage and the Master on the second. In another of the logbooks was
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recorded the voyages of the English whaleships T h a m e s and L e v i a t h a n , with Captain Gardner in command. Another logbook contained the voyages of the ship Constitution, Captain Obed Bunker, of Nantucket, and the Levant, of Westport—both kept by Isaac Riddell, of Nantucket. The seventh voyage was recorded in the logbook of the ship Clarkson, of Nantucket, kept by William Riddell, 1841. The increased use of the facilities of the Peter Foulger Library involve the use of manuscript as well as the printed material. Our priceless Quaker Records, logbooks, genealogical listings, and related materials have been microfilmed, so that they may be more readily available. This puts a new emphasis on the work of the Librarian and the Director, especially with the use of manuscripts by professional people and students. Thus, the Nan tucket Historical Association has increased its services to a marked degree. Valuable information has been supplied the academic world of the universities, the book world of the professional writers, the undergraduate world of the student, and the private world of the genealogist. Besides the visitor and his natural queries concerning Nantucket history, the Museum has aided producers of television programs, including the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation-Nippon Hoso Kyokai-who came to Nantucket for a special program. The Association's Library at the Peter Foulger Museum is open the year-'round, and has become a headquarters for the services mentioned in part above. It has already established itself, and as the years go on will increase in value not only to the Association but to the community as well.
Capt. Benjamin Whitford Joy Last Nantucket man to Command a square-rigged ship.
Captain William P. Joy
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"Man Overboard!"—The Rescue of "Billy" Joy During a Gale THE LAST of the old squaic-rigger shipmasters of Nantucket was Captain Benjamin Whitford Joy, who was a familiar figure at the Pacific Club within a few days of his passing some four decades ago. One of his favorite stories might have been expected to be of his experience in the China Sea, when his ship, the Richard Parsons, was caught in a typhoon and lost, and he barely escaped death by clinging to a spar and was washed ashore on one of the Philippine Islands. But, instead, he liked to tell of the time when his older brother, Captain William P. Joy, was saved in midocean after falling overboard from a topsail yard at night during a gale. "It was a miracle," declared Captain Joy. "Even under ordinary conditions in broad daylight he would have been lucky to have been picked up — but at night, during a howling gale in mid-ocean, all I can say is that his time hadn't come." Both Whitford Joy (as he was always called) and his brother William P. Joy became shipmasters. Native-born Nantucketers, sons of Captain Samuel Joy, they had grown up in the tradition of the sea. While still boys they had lost their father, who died at sea, and when still in their early teens both had signed on merchant ships as cabin boys. Whaling had ended in Nantucket and they had decided on the merchant service. Nearly sixty years ago, S. J. Nevins, one of the staff of the Boston Globe, interviewed an old sailor who was visiting that city. He was a native Nantucketer, as was Mr. Nevins, and his name was Fred D. Hull. During their talk Mr. Hull gave a first-hand account of the rescue of "Billy" Joy and Nevins made a careful record of the story, just as the old sailor told it. "It was late in August, 1869," said Mr. Hull, "that I sailed from New York as an able seaman aboard the clipper ship Surprise, a crack ship bound for Hong Kong under Captain Charles A. Ranlett. We had a full cargo of coal, kerosene and general merchandise, consigned to an American firm at Hong Kong and Shanghai.In our crew of 26 we had a little fellow, barely sixteen years old, named Billy Joy, who was from my old home town — Nantucket. Just before leaving home his mother, who was the widow of Captain Samuel Joy, sort of left him in my care.
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
"On the run south, which was uneventful, Billy became very popular. He was as smart as a cricket, and everybody loved him. He had been warned by the mate never to go aloft at night, but would steal away up the lee rigging to lend a hand when all hands were called. There were no lazy bones in Billy's makeup. "We sailed into the South Atlantic as far as 47 degrees south, rounding well below the Cape of Good Hope, in order to strike the favorable winds in the Indian Ocean. We had a good run well into that Ocean, when one night the weather apparently settled for a bad storm. Captain Ranlett remained on deck until the middle watch, midnight, when he ordered in all the light sails. "Royals, t'gallants, outer jibs and topmast staysails were stowed. Shortly after the mate ordered the mizzen upper topsail reefed. The weather was getting worse as the night wore on. I went aloft and was the first man on the topsail yard and made my way out to the end, while the second mate stood in the bunt. "Then, in the darkness, I thought I recognized Billy coming out on the fo6t.-rope. As I looked, sure enough, it was the boy, second man from me inboard, and second man out from the second mate. 'Twas blowing up there and every man was holding on for all he knew how. In the midst of the violent flapping of the sail I suddenly saw something go past me like a flash. " 'Man Overboard!' yelled the second mate, his voice loud enough to be heard above the gale by those on deck. 'Man overboard!' he shouted again. "You may imagine my feelings. Clinging to the yard I looked along the back of the man next to me inboard and saw that Billy was gone. He had been hit by the heavy canvas and knocked off the yard — falling down into the black sea. "Captain Ranlett had come on deck when the order tc cf the topsail had been given. 'Who is it?' he called. At that moment, Billy came to the surface of the waves just under the ship's quarter to leeward. His voice came back like an echo: 'It's Joy, sir!' With eternity close at hand he did not forget to put in the word 'sir.' " 'Down from aloft!' called Captain Ranlett. 'All hands, stand by to wear ship!'
"MAN OVERBOARD"
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"While the men aloft quickly made their way down to the deck, the watch below came rushing up from the forecastle, joining the watch on deck. All hands were eager to lend all possible aid in the crisis. The wheel was put hard down, and the big clipper ship fell off, with the men at their stations bringing the vessel around in the procedure known as 'wearing ship. "The first mate produced a huge flashing lantern, which he held over the starboard quarter. Then, above the roar of the gale in the rigging and the breaking seas we heard a whistle. Every one of us rushed to the weather rail. To our astonishment we saw the flash of the lantern pick up little Billy, on the crest of a wave, actually swimming hand-over-hand toward us. " 'Back the main yard!' bellowed the captain. All hands leaped to the braces, but as the order was obeyed the big ship had too much headway to check herself, and we saw Billy once again in the flash as we passed by him — and, as we felt, for the last time. " 'Poor lad, he's gone,' muttered Captain Ranlett; and then quickly called: 'Brace around the main yard — we'll wear ship again!' "We worked as hard and as feverishly as before, but none of us believed little Billy had a chance. The Captain sent the mate forward to the topgallant forecastle, with orders to listen for that familiar whistle of Billy's — and once it was heard, to sing out. The ship obeyed her helm perfectly as the yard was braced around. We stood by at the rail, our hearts sad with the realization that our shipmate was never going to be seen again. " 'Off the starboard bow, sir!' called the mate. "Once more the men raced to brace the yards around. The ship shuddered with the terrific strain, but her masts and spars held. She had been virtually stopped in twice her own length. The mate's sharp eyes spotted something and he called out. The flash of the lantern lighted up the crested seas — and there was Billy, swimming towards us. " 'Hold on — hold on!' shouted Captain Ranlett, waving his arms. "We were all virtually paralyzed by the excitement, and as the ship surged Billy seemed to be swept by the waves towards us. Just as he ap-
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HISTORIC NANTUCKET
peared to grab the lines thrown to him, the seas swelled and he was being carried astern again. But, at that moment, a Greek sailor with a line around his waist, jumped over the rail. As we watched we saw Billy being snatched from a cresting wave by the brave foremast hand. "It seemed as if everyone had the line pulling the two to the rail. I am sure that when we lifted them over the rail to the deck all of us — one after the other — hugged them both. When Billy saw me he had a big grin on his face, and as I grabbed him he merely said: 'Hello, Fred.' "I took him to his bunk and rubbed him down, and tucked him in. The next day he was carefully examined and all he showed was a large bruise under one arm. He had fallen 60 feet from the yard, and heard the mate call: 'Man overboard!' when he came to the surface of the sea. As he went astern of the ship he stripped off his jacket and pants, determined to stay afloat as long as possible. He had been in the water some 50 minutes when we rescued him. Believe me, Billy is one shipmate I will never forget." Not only did William P. Joy make another voyage on the Surprise but within a few years he won several promotions, eventually being given a first mate's berth on the ship St. Nicholas, of New York, under the command of Captain Phineas Pendleton, a native of Searsport, Maine. On board the same ship, serving as second officer, was another Nantucket man, Joseph G. Remsen — who was also Mr. Joy's brother-in-law. It was Remsen who reported the fact that on this voyage, while bound to Liverpool, Mate Joy jumped into the sea to save the life of a boy who had tumbled overboard. A life-ring was thrown out and Joy caught it with one hand while holding the boy up with the other. While this was going on the ship was hove to, a lifeboat lowered and the two were rescued. Upon arrival in Liverpool Mate Joy was presented a medal by the British Shipwreck and Humane Society. On the next voyage, William P. Joy took command of the St. Nicholas, taking the ship around Cape Horn to San Francisco. It was on this voyage that the British ship Lenox was sighted on fire during a raging snow storm. Captain Joy brought his ship up to the stricken vessel, lowered his boats and rescued the captain and crew. In recognition for this feat Captain Joy was presented a handsome silver tea service by the Royal Service command of Queen Victoria. It was on this third voyage in command of the St. Nicholas that
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Captain William P. Joy reached Hong Kong and was taken ill with Asiatic cholera. He died within two days of being stricken, being then in his 32nd year. He was the youngest shipmaster in the port at that time, and in command of the largest ship. All the vessels in Hong Kong harbor at the time lowered their flags out of respect during the burial services. At this time Captain Joy's brother, B. Whitford Joy, was the ship's first mate, and was temporarily placed in command. Due to his youth, however, he was replaced by a Captain Crocker, and the ship went to Japan for a return cargo to New York. At this time Whitford Joy left the St. Nicholas to become first mate of the ship Richard Parsons, and became her master on her next voyage. It was while on a voyage from Sydney, Australia, to Manila that the Parsons was caught in a typhoon and wrecked on one of the Philippine Islands. The mate of the ship and six of the crew were drowned, but Captain Joy clung to a broken spar and was washed ashore. With him was young William Remsen, also of Nantucket, son of Joseph G. Remsen, who had served under Captain William P. Joy and his brother. Captain B. Whitford Joy and young Remsen, after much hardship, made their way to Manila where, as good fortune would have it, they found the ship Lucille at anchor under Captain John P. Conway, of Nantucket, who had served also on the St. Nicholas as second officer. They returned to New York on the Lucille. Captain Whitford Joy resumed his seafaring career as a shipmaster, and young Remsen entered the U.S. Lighthouse tender service, rising to full command. Joseph G. Remsen, the father, upon coming ashore entered the Lighthouse service and was Keeper of Sankaty Lighthouse for many years after some months aboard the South Shoals Lightship. Keeper Remsen retired in 1919, after 35 years in the government service. The courage and sacrifice of the master mariners of Nantucket have had no finer examples than the careers of both Captain William P. Joy and Captain B. Whitford Joy, together with the reputations established by such men as Captain John Conway and Captain William Remsen. While whaling gave us an extraordinary list of shipmasters, those who com manded vessels in the merchant service have their own share in establishing Nantucket's maritime traditions. E.A. Stackpole
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Obed Macy's Proposal OBED MACY, whose H i s t o r y of N a n t u c k e t , published in 1835, was for many years the only comprehensive history of the Island, married Abigail Pinkham in 1786. His written proposal to Abigail, written in 1785, has appeared in various accounts of Nantucket but is not as well known as it deserves to be, so we re-print it as follows: Obed to Abigail A long consideration Of the good reputation Thou hast in this nation Gives me an inclination To become thy relation By legal capitulation And if this my declaration May but gain thy approbation It will lay in obligation From generation to generation On thy friend Who without thy consideration May remain in expectation.
Both Obed and Abigail were members of the Society of Friends. Their home at 15 Pleasant Street still stands as sturdily as ever. The house next south, at 17 Pleasant, was built in 1844 for Obed's son Peter Macy, while another son, Dr. Reuben Macy, inherited the family homestead.
Bequests or gifts to the Nantucket Historical Association are tax deductible. They are greatly needed and appreciated.
The Old Bake Shop on Lower India Street Taken Down Only Two Decades Ago
