The Barnegat Bay Maritime Museum thanks you for learning about our Barnegat Bay maritime history!
First, some basics:
First, some basics:
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SAILING
The short video below will help you understand easily how sailboats work with the wind.
RIG A SAILBOAT
Learn how to rig a sailboat with this quick short to help understand how the different sails and equipment will interact while on the water.
AWAY YOU GO!
Finally, watch this video on the basics of your first sail.
BARNEGAT BAY MARITIME HISTORY TIMELINE
Hartgers View, circa 1627, published 1651. This view shows the early development of New Amsterdam, a small but busy trading center with a population of only several hundred people. New Amsterdam was located on the southern tip of Manhattan.
Pre-1492: The Native people, known in our region as the Lenape, used the seashore for its natural resources. They traveled upon the bay, rivers, and creeks using dugout canoes - felled trees cut and carved out using stone tools.
1492: Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. You know the tale.
The Half Moon, illustrated here as being in the Hudson River, New York.
1609: Henry Hudson and his crew aboard the Half Moon, explorers for the Dutch East India Company, sailed up the shoreline and came upon the mouth of our bay. Robert Juet, an Englishman and likely officer aboard, recorded his impression of the region, writing, "This is a very good Land to fall with, and a pleasant Land to see." Later, Dutch captain, Cornelius Mey, names the inlet "Barendegat," which translates to "breaking inlet," due to the fierce conditions at the mouth of what today is Barnegat Bay.
Detail of 1770 map showing the Atlantic shoreline of the Province of New Jersey, courtesy Rutgers and the Library of Congress.
1600s-1700s: European settlements along the New Jersey colony shore and Barnegat Bay likely began first as outposts from Cape Cod and Long Island, driven by whaling and fishing opportunities. As more Europeans moved in, the native people likewise lost lands and moved out or perished. Soon the land's resources received attention and a spirit of self-sufficiency sprouted up among the colonists among these sandy pine lands. Trade between the growing cities of New York and Philadelphia commenced, primarily by ships in and out of these ports, including Toms River, Barnegat, and Tuckerton.
Catboats and other vessels, seen on Barnegat Bay in a later period, 1913.
Gary Jobson and Roy Wilkins, in their 2005 book, A-Cats: A Century of Tradition, wrote, "The woods and marshes provided salt, hay, and timber. Glass was made from the ubiquitous sand, and the bogs provided soft iron. And then there were the bay's own riches: plentiful fish, seafood, and waterfowl. But one needed a boat to move around. The timber had to be felled and hauled to various mills, and fish and seafood had to be caught and brought to port. A special kind of boat was needed to operate in the shoal [shallow] waters of Barnegat Bay. They were generally wide, low and stable, allowing for the transportation of passengers, timber, seafood and other goods. These boats eventually became known as "catboats," possibly derived from portholes in the forward part of the hull that resemble cat eyes. The low freeboard [distance from the water line to the upper deck level] makes them look like cats lying in the grass."
Another vessel unique to the area is the garvey. Named for Jarvis (Gervas) Pharo, who settled in West Creek, New Jersey, in the early 1700s, it is a blunt bowed, flat-bottomed scow type of boat that became the workboat of the clammer and crabber making their living from the waters of the river and bay. Most at home in the shallows of the marshy edges of the bay, it serves as a stable platform that can be easily rowed or poled over the flats.
1775: The American colonies rebel and war breaks out with England. American privateers, essentially legalized pirating against the Royal Navy and associated loyalists sees many vessels and goods seized for the rebel cause. This also eventually leads to--
1782: A British brig and three whaleboats anchor off Cranberry Inlet on March 23rd (this inlet was closed by a storm 30 years later, in 1812 - today approximately Ortley Beach). Under cover of darkness, 80 Redcoats (British soldiers) and 40 Tories (American loyalists) row through the inlet to land just above the Toms River. From there they travel toward what today is downtown Toms River, then just a sleepy port village, and just after dawn on March 24th raid the military outpost there - a log block house. Nine rebels are killed and twelve taken prisoner, including Capt. Joshua Huddy, who is later hanged at what today is Atlantic Highlands, across from Sandy Hook. It causes an international incident and delays the Paris peace talks that eventually ends what is now known as the American Revolutionary War, in 1783.
1783-1850: Rebuilding the village of Toms River, starting new nearby settlements, harvesting resources, boatbuilding and shipping along the coast resumed in the post-war period. The population grew but remained largely centered around fishing, clamming, charcoal production (created by harvesting wood and burning the cut trunks in a carefully assembled piles, or "spiles"), bog iron extraction (from cedar swamps), and purification (using charcoal), and so on. Throughout this period, countless ships were seen sailing off the Jersey shore, known for its dangerous shoaling, or sandbars, and quite a number ended up as shipwrecks off or along our beaches. This led to the sometimes fact-based and sometimes legendary folk tales of "Barnegat Pirates," which involved locals tying lanterns to farm animals that then moved up and down the beachfront, confusing nearby ships into thinking they were farther offshore than they were, and thus wrecking upon the shoals [sandbars] or shore. At those unfortunate times, their goods, personal belongings, and even money and jewelry could be stolen by these "pirates." This folk legend relates to another, and what were known as "Mooncussers," so-called because these same locals cursed the moon for providing enough light to make the beachfront visible and thus preventing these types of shipwrecks. Some early efforts to provide life-saving aid by volunteers using sometimes government-funded beach shacks and crude equipment also began in this period.
1836: The Barnegat Bay sneakbox was created in West Creek by a duck hunter and fisherman named Hazelton Seaman. This shallow-draft little vessel could maneuver over the water without effort or noise and quickly became popular among those who depended upon it for food and profit. The craft has had an illustrious life. It became famous among sportsmen and yachtsmen long after the commercial uses had gone.
Frequently, sneakboxes were home-built by the persons who were to use them, and their dimensions varied with the skills and aptitudes of the builders. But there were others, notably the Perrines (Samuel the father, and J. Howard the son) who, for nearly 75 years put their energies into the commercial construction and sale of these boats. As a result of their dedication to quality and their business acumen, Perrine sneakboxes dominated the field for many years. The Seaport Society is fortunate to own a 15' Perrine sneakbox, built-in 1908.
Frequently, sneakboxes were home-built by the persons who were to use them, and their dimensions varied with the skills and aptitudes of the builders. But there were others, notably the Perrines (Samuel the father, and J. Howard the son) who, for nearly 75 years put their energies into the commercial construction and sale of these boats. As a result of their dedication to quality and their business acumen, Perrine sneakboxes dominated the field for many years. The Seaport Society is fortunate to own a 15' Perrine sneakbox, built-in 1908.
1848: The Life-Saving Service was established as a government entity; construction of then-modern stations with good equipment up and down the eastern seaboard begins to replace earlier small, crude shacks with limited tools to provide aid to ships in distress.
From Down Barnegat Bay, 1980, by Robert Jahn.
1850: Ocean County was established out of what was the southern half of Monmouth County. Toms River became the county seat and a courthouse was constructed. The total population of the county was around 10,000. By this time, writes Robert Jahn, in his 1980 book, Down Barnegat Bay: A Nor'easter Midnight Reader, "stagecoaches carried passengers and goods between the shore towns and followed sandy trails through the desolate pines to the inland cities... In the summer, many people sailed or steamed down from the northern cities on small passenger vessels to vacation at the fashionable watering places which were flowering along the seashore."
1850-1900: Tourism grew into a viable industry with new hotels erected to replace smaller boarding houses that catered primarily to stagecoach travelers. The Toms River Yacht Club, our nation's second behind New York City, was formed in 1871 to organize regular sailing races beginning with the annual Challenge Cup race. The Jersey shore real estate rush exploded with the construction of railroad lines from Philadelphia and New York City, in the 1880s. Tourism-friendly industries sprang up to cater to these new visitors, providing them with rest, relaxation, and entertainment, including in the form of fishing and hunting parties on the river and bay. It became common for the owners of "vacation homes," from the cities, to have local boatyards build their families the latest in pleasure yachts.
1900-1929: Tourism was boosted by the growth of many more resort communities along the river and bay; pleasure boating grew with the establishment of the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association in 1914, which provides sailing competitions, training, and more to the current day. World War I caused a drop in pleasure boating and boatbuilding, with many involved in the war effort. German U-Boats torpedoed the shipping trade offshore, but often first evacuated the captains and crew into lifeboats before destroying the larger vessels. After the war, early environmental laws and regulations are passed to halt the dumping of oil offshore by steamships, which had begun to pollute the ocean, bay, and river. Sailing, boatbuilding and, notably, motorboat use returned to our bay and river, the latter thanks to the many returned war veterans who learned hands-on engineering skills from the military.
A-Cats (from left) Spy, Mary Ann, Bat and Helen, 1924. From A-Cats: A Century of Tradition (2005), Gary Jobson and Roy Wilkins.
1922: The first of the Barnegat Bay A-Cats - Mary Ann - was designed by Charles D. Mower and built at the Morton Johnson boatyard of Bay Head, on contract from Judge Charles McKeehan of Philadelphia, who wanted to win the Toms River Challenge Cup. The result was a success, with Mary Ann winning the July 1922 race, resulting in more A-Cats designed and built to compete on the river and bay through the 1920s.
1929-1941: The stock market crash in October of this year led to a near-decade of economic depression, resulting in the likewise slowing down of the tourism and pleasure boating industries. This Great Depression also curtailed the construction of the A-Cat fleet.
K-ship on patrol over Atlantic. Photographed by Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, October 1942. . TR-1746. Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
1941-1945: The Imperial Japanese Navy surprise attacked the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor on Sunday morning, December 7th, 1941, plunging America into World War II. Many local men and women participated in fighting the war on the frontlines and homefront. This, combined with rationed resources, led to another drop in pleasure boating. In the early years of the war, German U-Boats again stalked the waters offshore, except this time under the Nazi insignia and sinking many tankers and freighters without warning or crew evacuation. Area civilians engaged in patrolling for U-Boats using their peacetime pleasure watercraft, alongside U.S. Navy escorts and air support, including airships from nearby Naval Air Station Lakehurst.
Asbury Park Press, July 6th, 1969.
1945-2001: The post-war/Cold War period included the construction of the Garden State Parkway in the early 1950s, resulting in another real estate and Ocean County population explosion. Junior sailing among river and bay yacht clubs grew with the invention and construction of numerous new types of smaller single-hand sailing craft, including Jets, Lightnings, Penguins, Blue Jays, Comets, Finns, Sunfish, Optis, Lasers and more. In the 1970s, the A-Cat fleet was revived by Nelson R. Hartranft, who was "enchanted" by them in his boyhood, resulting in their continued racing, restoration, and even construction of new A-Cats into the 21st century.
2001: The World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. were attacked by hijacked passenger jets on September 11th. Another hijacked passenger jet goes down in a field in Pennsylvania. The nation mourned its dead as it prepared for war, and among local tributes was the memorable sight of the A-Cat fleet resting at anchor with large American flags flying at half-mast.
Hydrofoil sailing kit on a Laser sailboat; photo from foilsz.com.
2002-present: Paddleboarding as a water activity becomes popular (as does yoga on the beach); in the late 2010s hydrofoil technology begins to "make waves" in area sailing circles. Jon Coen, columnist for The Sandpaper, a weekly Long Beach Island newsmagazine, in 2018 wrote: "This summer, many watermen are experimenting with foils. A hydrofoil is a “wing” attached to the bottom of a craft via a “mast.” When the craft reaches a certain speed, the foil creates lift, literally lifting the craft out of the water and greatly reducing the drag. Foils have been utilized on boats for almost a century; locally, they’re being used in the surf, on kiteboards, behind boats and even on paddleboards... Foiling is at an exciting time locally where watermen are just starting to combine knowledge of hydrodynamics with surfing experience and “fly” their boards. While it’s certainly a look into the future of riding waves and wind, there’s something richly traditional about watermen in a garage, surrounded by tools, experimenting with equipment, imagining how it will work in the water."
WHY A DUCK?
12-year-old Harrison Szot raced in the 2021 Duckboat Worlds Regatta at Mantoloking Yacht Club, where he took third out of 68 competitors and won the 15 years and younger class.
Nancy and Mike Spark of Mantoloking Yacht Club offer this history of duckboats on the Barnegat Bay.
The duckboat that we know on Barnegat Bay evolved from the Barnegat Bay Sneakbox that, in the early 1800’s was used for duck hunting. The sailing version evolved in the early 20th century. After WWII duckboats regained popularity as upper Bay yacht clubs established them as the junior sailing starter boat.
Phil Clark built the first one design duckboat in 1951 when 14 were built. Clark could not keep up with the demand and sold his jig and plans to David Beaton and Sons. Beatons has built over 200 duck boats to date with the latest two in 2015.
The duckboat was THE junior beginner boat from 1955 to 1995 and was sailed predominantly out of Bay Head, Mantoloking and Manasquan River Yacht clubs. The introduction of the fiberglass optimist Dinghy in the mid 1990’s spelled doom for the wooden duck boats.
In 1969 a group of junior sailors from Mantoloking Yacht Club started the Duck Boat World Championship Regatta and 65 ducks would sail that year. The regatta has continued to be held every Summer, but by the late 1980’s the number participating had dwindled to just 15 boats. In the early 1990’s Peter Kellogg from Mantoloking offered a challenge. Any yacht club or group that located and restored a duck boat and sailed in the regatta would earn a substantial donation to their junior sailing program. The now popularity of this event has caused other boat builders to bring new duck boats to the class.
Phil Clark built the first one design duckboat in 1951 when 14 were built. Clark could not keep up with the demand and sold his jig and plans to David Beaton and Sons. Beatons has built over 200 duck boats to date with the latest two in 2015.
The duckboat was THE junior beginner boat from 1955 to 1995 and was sailed predominantly out of Bay Head, Mantoloking and Manasquan River Yacht clubs. The introduction of the fiberglass optimist Dinghy in the mid 1990’s spelled doom for the wooden duck boats.
In 1969 a group of junior sailors from Mantoloking Yacht Club started the Duck Boat World Championship Regatta and 65 ducks would sail that year. The regatta has continued to be held every Summer, but by the late 1980’s the number participating had dwindled to just 15 boats. In the early 1990’s Peter Kellogg from Mantoloking offered a challenge. Any yacht club or group that located and restored a duck boat and sailed in the regatta would earn a substantial donation to their junior sailing program. The now popularity of this event has caused other boat builders to bring new duck boats to the class.
Island Heights native and worldwide professional photographer/videographer, Peter Slack, has also released online his documentary on the annual World Duckboat Championship, below.
"People of all ages and far off places gather for one of their favorite days of the Summer...the Duck Boat Worlds. The Duck boats are judged the night before and a trophy is given for the boat in the best Bristol condition. There is much to be learned from these old wooden boats as they give the older generation a chance to share their stories and wood working techniques...and their secrets to what makes a Duck boat go fast."
"People of all ages and far off places gather for one of their favorite days of the Summer...the Duck Boat Worlds. The Duck boats are judged the night before and a trophy is given for the boat in the best Bristol condition. There is much to be learned from these old wooden boats as they give the older generation a chance to share their stories and wood working techniques...and their secrets to what makes a Duck boat go fast."
DID YOU KNOW?
On the now-rare occasions that it freezes, Toms River and Barnegat Bay have hosted iceboating competitions! Watch the short video below to see this exciting "hardwater" sport in action off Island Heights, courtesy area professional videographer/photographer Peter Slack.
MORE VIDEOS!
Enjoy some more educational videos showcasing the maritime history of the Barnegat Bay!
An archival NJN video from 1982, "In the Barnegat Bay Tradition," featuring sneakbox-building and decoy-carving, plus music by bayman Merce Ridgway.
An NJN-produced video on the Sea Bright Skiff, from 1991! Featuring master boatbuilder Charles E. Hankins at work and the history of the craft, from pound fishing to lifesaving, with archival early-to-mid 20th century film footage.
Brand new (2022), humorous and fantastic documentary on Mantoloking by Peter Slack!
A 2003 half-hour documentary on the bay and Tuckerton Seaport, from NJN.
Peter Slack brings us this documentary on the Borough of Island Heights, from 2019.
RECOMMENDED READING
A-Cats: A Century of Tradition, by Gary Jobson and Roy Wilkins, Nomad Press, 2005. LIBRARY / AUTHOR
Closed Sea: From the Manasquan to the Mullica, A History of Barnegat Bay, by Kent Mountford, Down the Shore Publishing, 2002. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
Down Barnegat Bay: A Nor'Easter Midnight Reader, by Robert Jahn, Beachcomber Press/DuMont Publishing, 1980, Revised and Expanded Edition, Plexus Publishing, 2000. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
Hidden History of Maritime New Jersey, by Capt. Stephen D. Nagiewicz, History Press, 2016. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
The People of Ocean County, by David D. Oxenford, Valente Publishing House, Inc., 1992 LIBRARY / EBAY (OUT OF PRINT)
Privateers of the Revolution: War on the New Jersey Coast 1775-1783, by Donald Grady Shomette, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2016. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
Many of the above books are also available to read through the Toms River Seaport Society library.
Closed Sea: From the Manasquan to the Mullica, A History of Barnegat Bay, by Kent Mountford, Down the Shore Publishing, 2002. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
Down Barnegat Bay: A Nor'Easter Midnight Reader, by Robert Jahn, Beachcomber Press/DuMont Publishing, 1980, Revised and Expanded Edition, Plexus Publishing, 2000. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
Hidden History of Maritime New Jersey, by Capt. Stephen D. Nagiewicz, History Press, 2016. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
The People of Ocean County, by David D. Oxenford, Valente Publishing House, Inc., 1992 LIBRARY / EBAY (OUT OF PRINT)
Privateers of the Revolution: War on the New Jersey Coast 1775-1783, by Donald Grady Shomette, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2016. LIBRARY / PUBLISHER
Many of the above books are also available to read through the Toms River Seaport Society library.
