THE HUMAN COST OF SAILING IN NEW ENGLAND
The Loss of Life, Livelihood, Property in the late 19th Century coastal of Massachusetts
There is no shortage of examples of ship wrecks off Massachusetts, whether the loss of crew or total destruction of the ship, the Ada K. Damon is a poignant example of the real-life risks of sailing in 19th century Massachusetts. Built in 1875, it later shipwrecked on Steep Hill Beach in December 1909.
Fishing off the coast of Massachusetts was dangerous. Factors alone or together like weather, rocky coasts, or sand bars made any excursion risky once a boat left the harbor. In order to full comprehend how dangerous it could be, consider that between 1866 and 1890, 380 schooners were lost and 2,450 men were lost in Gloucester, Massachusetts. In a single storm on 1873, 9 Gloucester vessels and 128 fishermen were lost.[1]
The Ada K. Damon was not immune to such devastation. In March of 1893, while fishing in a dory off the coast of Provincetown the Ada K. Damon encountered a spring storm that left six men missing.[2] Four of these men were later found dead over a few days washed up on the shore near Highland Light, Truro.[3] Eventually all of the fisherman were either found or presumed dead: James Tracy, 31 years old of East Boston; Joseph Costa, 20 years old of Provincetown; Robert Williams, 24 years old of Provincetown; Frank Maello 20 years old of Provincetown; and Joe Ferre[i]ra, 60 and a master mariner of Provincetown, most likely captain at the time.[4]
The sailing industry was risky, not only for loss of life, but also for the financial destruction it could cause. The last owner of the Ada K. Damon, A. K. Brewster purchased the vessel and a year later the ship wrecked off Plum Island in a December storm. The boat was taking water and breaking down. He tried to sell the boat and with no takers, attempted to strip the boat and hopefully sell it for parts. The boat was a total loss.[5] Eventually Albert K. Brewster returned to York, Maine.[6]
[1] http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater/exhibition/3_4.html
[2] Death Registry in the City of Gloucester, 1893.
[3] The Boston Globe, April 11, 1893.
[4] Register of Deaths, Town of Provincetown, Massachusetts, 1893.
[5] Annual Report of United States Life-Saving Service 97, Dec 27-28, 1909.
[6] United States Census 1930.
There is no shortage of examples of ship wrecks off Massachusetts, whether the loss of crew or total destruction of the ship, the Ada K. Damon is a poignant example of the real-life risks of sailing in 19th century Massachusetts. Built in 1875, it later shipwrecked on Steep Hill Beach in December 1909.
Fishing off the coast of Massachusetts was dangerous. Factors alone or together like weather, rocky coasts, or sand bars made any excursion risky once a boat left the harbor. In order to full comprehend how dangerous it could be, consider that between 1866 and 1890, 380 schooners were lost and 2,450 men were lost in Gloucester, Massachusetts. In a single storm on 1873, 9 Gloucester vessels and 128 fishermen were lost.[1]
The Ada K. Damon was not immune to such devastation. In March of 1893, while fishing in a dory off the coast of Provincetown the Ada K. Damon encountered a spring storm that left six men missing.[2] Four of these men were later found dead over a few days washed up on the shore near Highland Light, Truro.[3] Eventually all of the fisherman were either found or presumed dead: James Tracy, 31 years old of East Boston; Joseph Costa, 20 years old of Provincetown; Robert Williams, 24 years old of Provincetown; Frank Maello 20 years old of Provincetown; and Joe Ferre[i]ra, 60 and a master mariner of Provincetown, most likely captain at the time.[4]
The sailing industry was risky, not only for loss of life, but also for the financial destruction it could cause. The last owner of the Ada K. Damon, A. K. Brewster purchased the vessel and a year later the ship wrecked off Plum Island in a December storm. The boat was taking water and breaking down. He tried to sell the boat and with no takers, attempted to strip the boat and hopefully sell it for parts. The boat was a total loss.[5] Eventually Albert K. Brewster returned to York, Maine.[6]
[1] http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater/exhibition/3_4.html
[2] Death Registry in the City of Gloucester, 1893.
[3] The Boston Globe, April 11, 1893.
[4] Register of Deaths, Town of Provincetown, Massachusetts, 1893.
[5] Annual Report of United States Life-Saving Service 97, Dec 27-28, 1909.
[6] United States Census 1930.