at the "Foulger"

Historical Relics and Heirlooms On Display at the 'Toulger"

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AMONG THE MANY articles on display at the Peter Foulger Museum are several which recall certain periods in our Island's history, and deserve a closer look. For example, in one of the new cases on the second floor is a handsome silver pitcher bearing the engraved inscription, as follows:

"Presented to Capt. Lot Phinney of the steamer Massachusetts by a party of Ladies and Gentlemen who on the Fourth of July and the 2d and 5th of August, 1844, passed many pleasant hours on board that noble steamer, confident in the skill and delighted with the courtesy and kindness of her Commander."

Captain Lot Phinney took over the command of the new sidewheel steamer Massachusetts on her maiden voyage, July 4, 1842. This was considered one of the finest steamers in New England at that time, being 161 feet long, 24 feet in beam, and 8 feet 4 inches in depth. Her paddlebox eagle is one of the exhibits at the Museum, shown most graphically in a painting of the vessel which hangs close by.

The graceful silver memorial pitcher is a tribute to Captain Phinney which he well deserved. Not only was he a gracious commander in the pleasant days of summer, but an intrepid captain in times of stress and danger. One incident in his career demonstrates his ability. It took place on November 27, 1842, when the whaleship Joseph Starbuck, leaving Nantucket for Edgartown, where she was to complete her outfitting for her second voyage to the Pacific, was caught in a terrific northwest gale. On board the ship were a party of ladies and gentlemen who were crossing the sound for a farewell trip, as a gesture of good will to the officers and crew of the vessel.

When she reached Tuckernuck Shoal, the wind increased to gale force and the ship, with the wind dead ahead, was forced back. By the time she arrived at Nantucket Bar her predicament was noticed from the South Tower, as well as from shore. Being a new vessel, it was hoped that her anchors would keep her in deep water, but the northwest gale was now at hurricane force and the ship began to drag toward the Bar. It was evident that she would be another victim of the dreaded Bar.

It was at this time that Captain Phinney took the Massachusetts out and went to the rescue of the thirty-nine people on board the doomed Joseph Starbuck. By maneuvering the sidewheeler, he was able to approach the ship — her masts cut away — and by lifeboats bring the unfortunate people safely back to the steamer, to be taken aboard on the leeward side.

On another occasion, Captain Phinney took the Massachusetts around the Island to the Old Man Shoal, off Tom Nevers Head, where, together with the smaller steamer Telegraph, he pulled to safety the trans-Atlantic packet

The silver pitcher, engraved as a testimonial to Captain Lot Phinney, of the steamer "Massachusetts."