Jacob Bell (pilot boat)

The Jacob Bell, was a 19th century Sandy Hook pilot boat built in 1840 for a group of New York Pilots. She was built by the shipbuilder Jacob Bell. After fourteen years of service she went ashore in a gale off Sandy Hook in 1854.

For the sidewheel steamer, see USS Jacob Bell (1842).
History
US
Name: Jacob Bell
Namesake: Jacob Bell (shipbuilder)
Owner: New York Pilots
Builder: Brown & Bell
Cost: $8,000
Launched: 22 January 1840
Out of service: March 1854
Fate: Sank
General characteristics
Class and type: schooner
Tonnage: 84-tons TM
Length: 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m)
Beam: 19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
Depth: 8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
Propulsion: Sail

Construction and service

On 22 January 1840, the pilot boat, Jacob Bell, was launched from the Brown & Bell shipyard, on the East River. She was built by shipbuilder Jacob Bell. The Bell, was named in honor of the shipbuilder Jacob Bell, who was a partner in the Brown & Bell firm. The launch was witnessed by a large party of ladies and gentlemen. She was owned by a company of New York pilots, including James Britton, Mitchell Eleock, Halston, and others. Her dimensions were 71 ft. in length; 19 ft. breadth of beam; 8 ft. in depth; and 84-tons burthen. Her cost was $8,000. She was expected to beat the famous Washington, which was known for her speed.[1] The boat number "4" was painted as a large number on the mainsail.[2]

In 1840, there were only eight New York pilot boats. They were the Phantom, No. 1; Washington, No. 2; New York No. 3; Jacob Bell, No. 4; Blossom, No. 5; T. H. Smith, No. 6; John E. Davidson, No. 7; and the Virginia, No. 8.[1]

On 14 December 1840, Wm. H. Rolston, of the pilot boat Jacob Bell, 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]

On February 15, 1848, pilot-boat Jacob Bell, off Egg Harbor City, New Jersey passed a brig that was capsized. The wreck was also seen by the pilot-boat Washington, the previous day.[4]

End of service

The Pilot Boat Jacob Bell, No. 4, went ashore in a gale at the Sandy Hook beach in early March 1854. She was reported in bad condition.[5]:p12[6]

See also

References
  1. "A New Pilot Boat Schooner". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 22 Jan 1840. p. 2. Retrieved 14 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "A Pilot's Perils. Dangers Incurred by Men Who Board Incoming Vessels". The Marion Times-Standard. Marion, Alabama. 23 Apr 1890. p. 6. Retrieved 18 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "To the Public". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 16 Dec 1840. p. 2.
  4. "Miscellaneous Record". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 15 Feb 1848. p. 4. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  5. Allen, Edward L. (1922). Pilot Lore From sail to Steam. New York: The United New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Associations.
  6. "Local News, Gossip, &C". onmouth Democrat. Freehold, New Jersey. 9 Mar 1854. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
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