Boston Marine Society facts for kids
The Boston Marine Society is a special group in Boston, Massachusetts. It started way back in 1742. This group helps sailors and their families if they are having a tough time. They also work to make sailing safer in the waters around Boston. Most members are current or former ship captains. The society gives money to families who need it. They also give advice on things like where to put lighthouses and buoys. They even help choose the expert Boston Harbor pilots who guide ships safely.
A Quick Look at History
The Boston Marine Society began as a friendly group in 1742. It became an official organization in 1754. Some of the first people to start it were William Starkey and Joseph Prince. For its first 100 years, the society met in places like the Concert Hall and local taverns. Later, they had offices on Commercial Street and in the Merchants Exchange. Since the 1980s, their offices have been in the Boston Navy Yard.
A famous historian named Samuel Eliot Morison said that the society's meetings were a place for everyone in Boston interested in shipping. In 1811, the group had over 100 retired shipmasters. Many of these people were involved in insurance. About 50 important merchants and ship owners also joined. The rest were younger sailors who still worked on ships. These active sailors helped make Boston famous all over the world.
Making Sailing Safe
The society has been in charge of safe pilotage in Boston Harbor since the 1700s. Since 1791, the society has had the power to choose Pilot Commissioners. These commissioners then pick the pilots for Boston Harbor. The society has also published helpful guides. One example is the 1832 Rules and Regulations for the Pilotage of the Harbor of Boston.
The society helped create the Cape Cod Light in 1797. In 1805, the society built the stone base for the beacon on Nixes Mate in Boston Harbor. They also did studies that led to the building of Long Island Head Light in 1819.
The society has done many things to make sailing safer. In 1768, they published Directions for Sailing in and out of Plymouth Harbour. This was connected to building Plymouth Light that year. In 1790, they made maps of the North American coast. In 1797, they published Directions for Sailing by Cape-Cod Light-House.
Other Activities
Besides making the seas safer, the society also helps its members. They collect and give out money to members and their families. This helps them when they are having money problems.
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The society has also hosted many talks. In the 1800s, speakers included John Pickering and Robert Bennet Forbes.
In 1893, the society started overseeing school ships. These ships were the Enterprise (from 1892-1909) and the Nantucket (from 1909-1917 and 1921-1940). These ships were part of the Massachusetts Nautical Training School.
The society is a central place for seafaring history. They have received gifts like model ships, telescopes, paintings, scrimshaw (carvings on whalebone), and souvenirs from travels. Visitors to the society's current home in Charlestown can see some of these items on display.
Members and Leaders
Many important people have been members of the society. In the 1700s, members included William Furness and John Foster Williams. Some leaders from that time were Thomas Dennie and Mungo Mackay. In the 1800s, members included J.D. Farrell and Daniel McLaughlin. During the time of fast clipper ships, many were captained or owned by society members. Some 19th-century leaders were Jonathan Chapman, Robert Bennett Forbes, and William F. Sturgis. More recent members and leaders include William A. Baker and Barry Clifford.
