Francis Perkins (pilot boat)

The Francis Perkins No. 13, was a 19th-century Sandy Hook pilot boat, built in 1866 for a group of New York Pilots. She was considered one of the finest boats ever built. She sank in a snow storm on January, 24, 1887.

New York pilot boat Francis Perkins, No. 13. by Antonio Jacobsen.
History
US
Name: Francis Perkins
Namesake: Francis Perkins, secretary of the Pilot Commissioners
Owner: New York Pilots' Association
Operator: Captain T. Aitken, and Vinner
Builder: Henry Steers
Cost: $20,000
Launched: October 7, 1866
Out of service: January, 24, 1887
General characteristics
Class and type: schooner
Tonnage: 50-tons TM
Length: 78 ft 5 in (23.90 m)
Beam: 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
Depth: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Propulsion: Sail

Construction and service

New York pilot-boat Francis Perkins No. 13, was built by Henry Steers (1832) in 1866 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The boat number "13" was painted as a large number on her mainsail, that identified the boat as belonging to the Sandy Hook Pilots. She went on her first trial trip on October 7, 1866 with a large party of guests on board. She was named after Francis Perkins, the secretary of the New York Commissioners of Pilots. Her cost is $20,00.[1]

The Francis Perkins, was registered with the Record of American and Foreign Shipping, from 1871 to 1887, with the New York Pilots' Association as owners. She was 78.5 in length, 20.5 in breadth of beam, 8.6 in depth of hold, 52-tons and built in 1866 with T. Aitken, and Vinner as Masters.[2] She was considered one of the finest pilot boats ever built.[3]

In 1873, near Nantucket Lightship, the Francis Perkins came across an abandoned brig. The pilots of the Perkins boarded her and towed her safely into port.[4]

End of service
The Lost Pilot Boat in the New York Times on January 26, 1887

On January, 24, 1887, the New York pilot-boat Francis Perkins, No. 13, was in a gale and snow storm. Thinking the that lights on the shore were from the lighthouse, the Perkins struck the steamer Aries, that was driven ashore by the storm wreck near the Barnegat shoals, in Ocean County, New Jersey. She sprang a leak and sank in deep waters. Six of the crew were saved and two were lost. The men tried to escape in two yawls. Pilots Robert Vineer in charge of one and Walter A. Reddin in the other. Pilot Reddin and the cook, William Dalton, were lost trying to reach the shore. The Perkins was estimated to be worth $15,000.[5][6][7][8]

Pilot Walter A. Reddin was one of the two men lost on the Perkins. He was a member of the Sandy Hook Pilots' Benevolent Association, which paid $600 to his widow. He was also a member of the Pilots' Charitable Fund, that paid an annual amount for the rest of Mrs. Reddin's life.[9] A funeral for Pilot Walter A. Reddin took place on February 7, 1887 at the St. Ambrose's Catholic Church in Brooklyn.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Miscellaneous". The New York Times. New York, New York. 7 Oct 1866. p. 8. Retrieved 2 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Index to Ship Registers". research.mysticseaport.org. Mystic seaport. Retrieved 1 Jan 2021.
  3. "Wrecked Off Bargegat. Terrible Experience Of Pilot Vineer and His Crew". Times Union. Brooklyn, New York. 25 Jan 1887. p. 1. Retrieved 1 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Russell, Charles Edward (1929). From Sandy Hook to 62°. New York: Century Co. p. 267. OCLC 3804485.
  5. "The Hungry Ocean. Wrecks Along the Atlantic Shore". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 25 Jan 1887. p. 5. Retrieved 1 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "The Lost Pilot Boat". upload.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  7. Allen, Edward L. (1922). Pilot Lore From sail to Steam. New York: The United New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Associations.
  8. "Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service". 1888. p. 36. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  9. "Reddin Buried. The Body of the Brooklyn Pilot Found". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. 7 Feb 1887. p. 4. Retrieved 1 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Pilot Reddin's Funeral". The Brooklyn Citizen. Brooklyn, New York. 7 Feb 1887. p. 1. Retrieved 1 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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