James Avery (pilot boat)

The James Avery, was a 19th century Sandy Hook pilot boat built in 1837 for a group of New York Pilots. She was built by the shipbuilder Jacob Bell. She was last seen in 1872, off the Highlands.

History
US
Name: James Avery
Namesake: James Avery
Owner: New York Pilots
Operator: Thomas Johnson
Builder: Brown & Bell
Launched: Sep 9, 1837
Out of service: June 16, 1872
General characteristics
Class and type: schooner
Tonnage: 84-tons TM
Propulsion: Sail

Construction and service

On September 9, 1837, the pilot boat, James Avery, was launched from the Brown & Bell shipyard, on the East River, near the Dry Dock. She was built by shipbuilder Jacob Bell. The launch was witnessed by all the pilots of the port, with family and friends. Food was prepared in a sail loft in the shipyard for all to enjoy. Toasts and speeches were made for the success of the James Avery. She was owned by a company of New York pilots. She weighed 80-tons burthen.[1] The boat number "9" was painted as a large number on the mainsail.

On 27 October 1837, Thomas Johnson, of the pilot boat James Avery, spoke to Captain Barr of the New Jersey Barque Louisa, if wanted to pilot. When he refused, the Louisa, proceeded to run ashore. Johnson went over to the boat and, at Barr's request, sent for assistance.[2]

On 14 December 1840, John Henderson, of the pilot boat James Avery, along with other pilots from the port of New York, stated that they had never been employed by J. D. Stevenson and no compensation has been offered or demanded.[3]

In 1860, she was one of only twenty-one New York and New Jersey pilot boats in the New York fleet.[4]

On Aug 14, 1864, during the American Civil War, the pilot boat James Avery, No. 9, off Tavern House, was boarded by the United States Navy Juniata in search of the Confederate CSS Tallahassee.[5]

David S. Nicolay served as boat-keeper on the James Avery No. 9, from 1866 to 1867. He was transferred to the pilot boat Christianburg, No. 16 in 1867. The Christianburg was later renamed the Ariel Patterson.[6]

During a blizzard in March 1868, the pilot boat James Avery, No. 9, along with other pilot boats, returned and anchored in the Lower New York Bay.[7]

In 1870, the James Avery, was listed along with twenty-two other Sandy Hook pilot boats.[8]

End of service

The pilot boat James Avery, No. 9, was last reported on June 16, 1872, having spoken to the Schoolship Mercury, twelve miles off the Highlands.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Launch Of The Pilot Boat James Avery". York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 9 Sep 1837. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  2. "Jersey Pilots Again". York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 27 Oct 1837. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  3. "To the Public". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 16 Dec 1840. p. 2.
  4. Russell, Charles Edward (1929). From Sandy Hook to 62°. New York: Century Co. p. 159. OCLC 3804485. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  5. "The Pursuit of the Tallahassee". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 16 Aug 1864. p. 21. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  6. Whitemore, Henry (1889). Free Masonry in North America from the Colonial Period to the Beginning of the Present Century. Artotype Printing and Publishing. New York. p. 235. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  7. "Spoken". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 23 Mar 1868. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  8. "Qualification For The Service". The New York Times. New York, New York. 23 Jan 1870. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  9. "Spoken". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 15 Jun 1872. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
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