THE WHALEBOAT 1776 PROJECT
In the Fall of 2022, the Village of Port Jefferson Town Historian, Chris Ryon, approached LISEC with a unique proposition; in an effort to promote the story of Port Jefferson's role in the Culper Spy Ring, would the Bayles Boat Shop undertake construction of a replica armed whaleboat to help tell that story. It was strongly felt that the building of the whaleboat would be a unique way of embracing Port Jefferson's Maritime history and its instrumental role in the Revolutionary War effort, telling the story of our Colonial forebears involved in that struggle and engaging the community in the process. The project dovetailed perfectly with a key element of LISEC's mission; to help perpetuate the legacy and art of wooden boat building here in Port Jefferson. Working in partnership with the Village of Port Jefferson, the Whaleboat 1776 Project will also represent the village's early entry in preparation for America's 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026. It is expected that the project will take about two years to complete and we are hoping for a launching day celebration sometime in Fall of 2024.
The History
During the American War for Independence Long Island Sound was the scene of many engagements involving armed whaleboats. The Loyalists (Tories) from Long Island raided the Connecticut shore and the rebels (Patriots) from Connecticut returned the compliment even going as far overland to the Great South Bay. In present day, the United States Navy (USN) employs mechanically propelled double-ended ships' boats about 26' long that are called whaleboats. Considering the missions of the USN it is extremely unlikely that these boats are ever used in the pursuit and capture of whales.Thus, the term whaleboat simply describes a useful type of double-ended boat whose ancestors may very well have been used in the whale fishery.
In 1776 the term whaleboat was used for exactly the same purpose, to designate a well-known and useful type of double-ended boat. It is true that some whaleboats of 1776 were employed for catching whales but many more, when armed, were used for privateering and other military and naval operations during the Revolutionary War. This fact is particularly very much true here in Long Island where the armed whaleboat served as the vessel of choice for Culper Spy Ring courier, Caleb Brewster, and his crews. Light, fast, quiet and easy for men to pick up and hide, these roughly 25 to 30 foot crafts were fairly stealthy for their time. While these attributes benefitted Patriot spies, they also assisted Privateers; basically pirates with government commissions.
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These small armed boats, "Spider Catchers" as they were sometimes called, grew in numbers as the war progressed. They carried a crew of eight or more and often held a sail as well. A swivel gun, basically a miniature cannon, was usually mounted in the bow. They worked well together, a bit unusual for the average privateersman, and a flotilla of two, three, or more of them presented a combined fire-power that could hit an enemy vessel from many sides at once. Many a British Merchantmen, transports and supply ships fell into their bag of prizes. Even full battles occured on whaleboats. The most notable was the Whaleboat Fight of 1782 where Caleb Brewster, Valentine Rider and others faced off against Loyalist Captains Stephen Hoyt and another named Johnson in hand-to-hand combat between their respective boats.
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Small ink drawing by William A. Baker depicting the appearance of two colonial whaleboats as they may have appeared working in tandem during the Revolutionary War period.
The Whaleboat
Based off plans drawn up by the late William A.Baker, naval architect and renowned naval historian, this whaleboat will be a fully seaworthy craft complete with sail, oars and a bow mounted swivel gun. The dimensions, 24' 5" length overall with a maximum breadth of 6', may seem a bit small when compared to the American whaling vessels of the mid to late 19th century but the length is very much in line with historical research concerning the size of these type whaleboats in the 1780's.
Whaleboat 1776 Construction Plan drawn by William A. Baker for the Darien Historical Society
Built as a classic double-ender she has a skeg and rudder which would have been more convenient than a steering oar for the long pulls across the sound. The whaleboat will have one mast that carries a simple spritsail intended for use in fair winds to aid the oarsmen. The construction is clinker (lapped) style with Eastern White Cedar planking over sawn White Oak frames, standard for her day. Following a practice as old as the Viking ships, her planking is fitted around molds, the ends secured to the stem and sternpost, and the laps riveted before the frames are inserted. Using sawn versus steamed frames may seem out of place for such a relatively small craft but the steam bending of frames (and planking too), common practice in todays boatbuilding, was in limited use in 1776. The six 16 foot oars and six paddles are fashioned from American White Ash which was plentiful and the hardwood of choice for the colonial boat builders of 1776.
Construction Gallery
Below are snapshots of the various phases of the build. We plan on adding more photos as the build progress so please check in often. Better yet, if you feel you would like to participate in this project by becoming a member please contact us or stop by. We will be happy to discuss participation plans with you.
The Future
Once completed, it is envisioned the whaleboat will serve a wide array of educational purposes, both in Port Jefferson Village and elsewhere. An operational whaleboat will make possible various historical reenactments, such as the many plundering raids for which whaleboats were well-suited or scenes of the numerous whaleboat battles fought on the Long Island Sound. In addition to securing a trailer for transporting the whaleboat, the current plan also makes provisions for the vessel to reside in a new, historically designed, Post & Beam structure to be erected on the grounds of the newly christened Drowned Meadow Cottage Museum. The structure will not only house the boat during off seasons but will also be used as an educational learning center for school class trips as well as the general public. And lastly, a documentary film is being planned which is expected to weave together the courageous fights for independence undertaken by these adventurous whaleboatmen, the story of Port Jeffersons maritime heritage and the building of Port Jefferson's very own whaleboat. Updates on this development and on all aspects of the Whaleboat 1776 Project will be posted here and on our Facebook page when they become available so check in often to find out the latest news.
Though the Whaleboat 1776 Project salutes the past, it also looks to the future. It will provide a unique opportunity to our present generation to appreciate an important aspect of our American heritage and it will open new opportunities for maritime education through the actual use of this historic craft each summer.
Contributions
Since the actual construction of the whaleboat itself is being borne entirely by LISEC through the efforts of dedicated Bayles Boat Shop volunteers, there are no direct labor costs involved. The Whaleboat 1776 Project does have many facets however and all of them entail expenses. Some are small (although there seems far too few of those) but most are not. The Whaleboat timber and lumber estimates alone will likely exceed $30,000. Through your tax-deductible contribution you can help build this historic vessel and bring this exciting chapter in our local history to life while also supporting the many educational opportunities and programs we expect it to bring about. If you wish to support this project please download and return the Whaleboat 1776 Project - Donor Contribution Form with your check. You can also contribute now by selecting the "Donate" link below. Contributions of any size are welcome.
Note: If you do choose to contribute now by using a credit card or PayPal please add "Whaleboat 1776 Fund" in the note/memo field on the submission form so your contribution is applied correctly.