New Jersey (pilot boat)

The New Jersey was a steam pilot boat built by A. C. Brown & Sons of Tottenville, Staten Island in 1902 for the New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots' Association. After twelve years of service, the steamship SS Manchioneal rammed and sank her off Ambrose Lightship in 1914. The New Jersey was replaced by the pilot boat Sandy Hook.

Steam Pilot Boat New Jersey, built for New Jersey State Commission.
History
United States
NameNew Jersey
NamesakeNew Jersey
OwnerNew Jersey Pilots
OperatorJohn Lyle
BuilderA. C. Brown & Sons
Cost$90,000
Launched28 May 1902
Christened28 May 1902
Out of service10 July 1914
FateSank
General characteristics
Class and typeschooner
Tonnage248 Net Tonage
Length158 ft 0 in (48.16 m)
Beam28 ft 0 in (8.53 m)
Draft13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
Depth19 ft 0 in (5.79 m)
PropulsionSail and steam motor
NotesShe had electric lights and yawl launching devices.

Construction and service

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New Jersey pilot boat by Antonio Jacobsen, ca. 1903.

In 1902, the steam pilot-boat New Jersey was built by A. C. Brown & Sons of Tottenville, Staten Island for the New York and New Jersey Pilot Boat Association.[1]: p206 

The New Jersey was launched on 28 May 1902 at Tottenville, Staten Island, in the attendance of over one thousand people. She was christened by Bessie Brown, the daughter of the builder of A. C. Brown & Sons, by breaking a bottle of champagne over the bow. Her dimensions were 158 ft. in length; 28 ft. breadth of beam; 18.6 ft. in depth; 14 ft. mean draft. She was 2 ft. longer than the New York. She had triple-expansion engines of 650-horse power. She went into commission on 12 November 1902.[2][3]

At this time, the New York and New Jersey Pilots' Association were united. As a result, the New Jersey and the New York, took up the task of doing pilot work at the Sandy Hook lightship. The New Jersey was so well constructed that she was used as an ice-breaking ram during the winter months.[1]: p90 

On 30 September 1912, Captain John Lyle from the pilot-boat New Jersey, rescued eight men from the motorboat Dewey, when their boat had drifted ten miles from the Sandy Hook Light. The men were employed at the U.S. Metal Refining Company of Carteret, New Jersey.[4]

End of service

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Steam Pilot Boat Sandy Hook.

On 10 July 1914, after only twelve years of pilot service, in a dense fog, the United Fruit steamship Manchioneal, rammed and sank the New Jersey, off the Ambrose Lightship. The crew of 17 men were rescued by the Manchioneal.

The steam pilot boat Sandy Hook, was purchased to replace the lost New Jersey.[5][1]: p89 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Allen, Edward L. (1922). Pilot Lore From sail to Steam. New York: The United New York and New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Associations.
  2. ^ "Courier Wirelets". Courier-Post May. Camden, New Jersey. 28 May 1902. p. 3. Retrieved 14 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "New Pilot Boat Launched". New-York Tribune. New York, New York. 29 May 1902. p. 2. Retrieved 14 Jan 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Eight Fishermen Of Carteret Almost Froze At Sea". The Central New Jersey Home News. New Brunswick, New Jersey. 30 Sep 1912. p. 4. Retrieved 2021-01-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Fruit Steamer Rammed". The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 10 Jul 1914. p. 2. Retrieved 2021-01-14 – via Newspapers.com.