EVENTS: Historical groups offer insights to local shipbuilding

A painting of Josephus, built by Ebenezer Haggett, of Newcastle, in 1876. This painting is on display in the parlor of the Chapman-Hall House. (contributed photo)

On Saturday, July 19, the Damariscotta Historical Society, the Chapman-Hall House, and the Newcastle Historical Society will share with visitors a look at the tremendous work of local shipbuilders at three different locations. Visitors are welcome at the Damariscotta Historical Society and the Chapman-Hall House between noon and 4 p.m.; at the Newcastle Historical Society, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. A Walking Tour pamphlet of Downtown Damariscotta, including the Newcastle Historical Society site, will be available at all three sites.

Between the 1760s and the 1920s, as many as 30 shipyards were called the Damariscotta River and Great Salt Bay home. The Damariscotta Historical Society has newly arranged its collections and now has on display a selection of photos of locally built vessels. The displays will also include a number of ship-building tools recently donated by Calvin Dodge. Mr. Dodge will be available on July 19th to answer questions about the shipbuilding that took place in this area. The Society is located at 3 Chapman Street, in Damariscotta.

The Chapman-Hall House will feature an exhibit of navigational instruments. Two owners of the Nathaniel Chapman Homestead, after it was sold out of the family, John Dickey and William Williams were both mariners; both would have been familiar with the tools necessary to determine if a vessel was on course. Jeff Miller, who reproduced the instruments that will be featured, will discuss the methods of using these tools during the afternoon. The Chapman-Hall House is located at 270 Main Street, in Damariscotta.

At the Newcastle Historical Society, the story starts in 1765 when shipwrights George Barstow and Nathaniel Bryant began building wooden sailing vessels and ends in 1920 when the last large schooner was built not far from where Lincoln Home is today. A display of photographs and narratives showcasing the development of marine vessels from the single-masted sloop to five-masted schooners can be seen at the Newcastle History Society Museum, located at the corner of Main and Pump Streets. Tim Dinsmore, historical archaeologist and president of NHS, alongside other NHS Board Members, will be present to answer questions and provide information on prominent Newcastle shipbuilders.