Page 18. MAINE COASTAL NEWS September 2010 N a u t i c a l B o o k R e v i e w


LIFE SAVING NANTUCKET By Edouard A. Stackpole 295 pages; 1972


Stern-Majestic Press, Nantucket, MA


Ever since vessels traversed the eastern seaboard of North America there have been ship disasters. One of the most notorious places for these disasters here in the Northeast was Cape Cod. However, just south of this is another area well known for ship disasters, Nantucket. While visiting the


used marine bookstore Columbia Trading Co., of Barnstable, Massachusetts, I discovered the book “Life Saving Nantucket” by Edouard Stackpole and bought it. I was not to be sorry. Nantucket has a very interesting history, especially from a maritime perspective. One of the most important aspects of this history was the beginning and development of the whaling industry. What over shadows this great industry, was the dark side of the marine disasters, which occurred there, especially when coupled with the human suffering.


One reason for these disasters is the moving shoals that surround Nantucket, many of which are out of sight of land making them even more sinister. Another factor was the before the Cape Cod Canal was complete, just before World War I, all vessels had to sail or steam by these shoal waters. It must also be considered that navigation was relatively rudimentary and many times a vessel coming towards this coast did not


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know exactly where they were. Sailing or steaming on into the abyss, coupled with a little bad luck, could mean the end of your vessel and the lives on board.


One way the islanders tried to prevent these disasters was to erect lighthouses. The first of which was built on Brant Point in 1746. This tower was built of wood and would burn to the ground, mostly likely due to the crude lamps used. It was replaced and others were soon to follow. As the disasters and loss of life grew on the shores of Nantucket residents began to organize life saving stations. Buildings were placed around the islands for those that made it ashore and needed to get out of the elements. They also began beach patrols during the winter and spring months of the year. Soon the United State of America was born and the government support grew as those interested in the marine industry put pressure on those in power. This gave birth to more and more life saving stations, lifesavers and lighthouses. Another item that needed to be developed was a small rowing vessel that could be used to get off the shore and out through the heavy surf to a vessel in distress. Why reinvent the wheel, they turned to the whale boat, which would be an excellent boat for this type of work. Other problems the government tried to deal with was a lack of adequate charts of the area and the changing shoal waters around the entrance to the harbor.


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The most impressive aspect of all was the men who tried to save the unfortunate people involved in a shipwreck. With their life on the line they would do whatever it took to affect a rescue and bring them ashore to safety. Many of these men were retired ship masters.


The first known disaster was the capsizing of a small boat with five occupants in 1669. There was just one survivor. Some of the other disasters discussed included: schooner CODFISH, 1791; sloop FARMER, 1793; brig PACKET, 1828; brig ANN ELIZA, 1829; brig MARSHAL NEY, 1829; ship OLIVE, 1831; whale ship WASHINGTON, 1837; whale ship JOSEPH STARBUCK, 1842; ship CENTURION, 1845; ship PRESIDENT, 1845; ocean packet LOUIS PHILLIPS, 1847; ship BRITISH QUEEN, 1851; bark FOREST PRINCE, 1852; brig BRAZILLIAN, 1856; schooner CONANCHET, 1857; schooner I. & P. CHASE, 1858; brig CASTILIAN, 1858; schooner NEVIS, 1860; brig DEMARARA, 1862; bark ELWINE FREDERICKE, 1863; schooner WILLIAM JONES, 1864; schooner LEESBURG, 1866; schooner URIAH B. FISK, 1881; schooner ALMEDA, 1881; schooner J. W. CARVER, 1881 and many, many more. For those that think these disasters ended in the early 1900s, think again. In 1950 two oil tankers, the FORT MERCER and PENDLETON, hit the shoals off Nantucket. The PENDLETON would break in two and sink. Some of the other recent victims of the shoals would be fishing vessels returning home, and some of these crews would lose their life.


There was also the plight of the lightships placed off Nantucket to warn vessels of the dangers. However, sometimes they were the ones in jeopardy when severe storms struck. There were times that it was feared that the lightship and all on board were lost only to be discovered hundred of miles away, but safe.


For those that are looking to read more on the disasters around Nantucket, you need to read “Wrecks Around Nantucket,” by Arthur Gardner. Why would anyone from the State of Maine be interested well just guess how many of these disasters involved a Maine vessel. This was an excellent book, fun to read and full of great accounts.


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