The Hermann Oelrichs was a 19th-century Sandy Hook Pilot boat, built in 1894 by Moses Adams at Essex, Massachusetts for a group of New York Pilots. She helped transport New York City maritime pilots between inbound or outbound ships coming into the New York Harbor. The Herman Oelrichs was said to be the fastest of the New York pilot fleet. She was built to replace the pilot boat Hope, that was wrecked in 1890.
 Pilot Boat Hermann Oelrichs, No. 1.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} United States | |
| Name | Hermann Oelrichs |
| Namesake | Hermann Oelrichs, American shipping businessman |
| Owner | N. Y. Pilots |
| Operator |
|
| Builder | Moses Adams shipyard at Essex, Massachusetts |
| Launched | May 12, 1894 |
| Out of service | July 15, 1904 |
| Fate | Sold |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Schooner |
| Displacement | 73 tons |
| Length | 87 ft 0 in (26.52 m) |
| Beam | 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) |
| Propulsion | schooner sail |
| Sail plan |
|
Construction and service
editThe New York pilot-boat Hermann Oelrichs, No. 1, was built by the Moses Adams shipyard in early 1894 at Essex, Massachusetts, for a group of New York pilots, to replace the pilot boat Hope, that was wrecked in 1890 along the shore of the Sandy Hook Point.[1][2] The boat number "1" was painted as a large number on her mainsail, that identified her as belonging to the Sandy Hook Pilots.
On April 21, 1894, the New York pilot boat Herman Oelrichs, was towed to Gloucester, Massachusetts for rigging.[3] She left Gloucester on her maiden cruise, on May 12, 1894, to reach the Port of New York on May 25, 1894. She had on board four pilots. She was the fastest of the New York pilot fleet. Her dimensions were 87 ft. length on deck; her masts were 74 ft. and 72 ft. high; and 73-tons burthen. She beat the Boston pilot boat, Hesper, No. 5, on a race leaving Gloucester.[4]
On June 4, 1894, Pilot Speitzer of the new pilot boat Herman Oelrichs, No. 1, brought in the British seamer Furnesia, and reported having seen the yacht Vigilant.[5] On February 21, 1895, Captain Michael Lyons, of the pilot boat Herman Oelrichs, No. 1, boarded the steamship Lucania.[6]
By June 21, 1896, In the age of steam, twenty-four pilot boats had been withdrawn from service leaving five pilot boats kept for emergency service. The five boats that were retained were the Herman Oelrichs, Ambrose Snow, Caldwell H. Colt, Edward F. Williams, and the Alexander M. Lawrence.[7]: p84
On June 6, 1897, pilot Nichols Roach, of the Sandy Hook pilot boat Hermann Oelrichs, No. 1, reported that a carrier pigeon flew on board with a tag attached on its leg with the message: "H. V. M., No. 3."[8]
On June 13, 1899, the Herman Oelrichs rescued the crew of the German steamship Macedonia, which was hit and sank by the steamship Hamilton, off Sea Bright, New Jersey.[7]
By April 7, 1901, the pilot boat Herman Oelrichs, was anchored off Stapleton, Staten Island, when five of her men were in a yawl that filled with water. One pilot, John Syceth was drowned.[9]
End of service
editOn July 15, 1904, the Hermann Oelrichs, was put up for sale at the Pilot Office in New York City.[10]
On Jun 7, 1910, Herman Oelrichs, owned by Captain Fred B. Rice, and others was sold to Captain A. F. Warren, of Pensacola, Florida. She was added to the fleet of fishing schooners owned by the Warren Fishing Company in Florida.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Cape Ann Shipbuilding. Vessels built at Essex and Gloucester in the First Half of the Year-Some Stanch Craft". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 2 Jul 1894. p. 4. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ Cunliffe, Tom (2001). Pilots, The World Of Pilotage Under Sail and Oar. Brooklin, Maine: WoodenBoat. p. 73. ISBN 9780937822692.
- ^ "Gloucester Fish Market. Ruling Prices on Fresh Fish-Arrivals at That Port Today". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 21 Apr 1894. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ "Fastest Of The Fleet. New Pilot Boat, Herman Oelrichs, Proves to be a Flyer". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 25 May 1894. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ "News From the Vigilant". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, Texas. 4 Jun 1894. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ "Missing Ships and Pilots". The New York Times. New York, New York. 21 Feb 1895. p. 15. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ a b Allen, Edward L. (1922). Pilot Lore From sail to Steam. New York: The United New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Associations. p. 61.
- ^ "Caught A Carrier Pigeon". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. 6 Jun 1897. p. 7. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ "Pilot Boat Man Drowned". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. 7 Apr 1901. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ "For Sale-Boat". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. 15 Jul 1904. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
- ^ "Pilot Boat Oelrich Sold". The Wilmington Morning Star. Wilmington, North Carolina. 7 Jun 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 2021-02-15.