The Seafarers
Living as they did in a community where ships and the sea played such a dominant part in their daily lives, it may never have occured to the founding fathers, but a most appropriate name for their new endeavor, would have been "Seafarers' Lodge". Among the fourteen charter members, were at least eight mariners, a ship builder and a lighthouse keeper. It is believe <sic> some of the others may have been seafarers as well.
In 1855, the time of Eureka Lodge's conception, St. George was a thriving seafaring town where the majority of its citizens were engaged in either building or sailing ships, fishing, or employed in the ship chandleries, sail lofts or other vocations needed to support "those who go down to the sea in ships."
Times have changed. During the past 125 years, shipbuilding and coastwise shipping have entirely disappeared from the scene. As they declined however, the fishing industry was increasing in importance until today it is one of the mainstays of the local economy. Fishing, and particularly lobster fishing is now one of Maine's principal industries, and St. George is one of the busiest centers on the coast.
Eureka's seagoing tradition has been maintained in the face of change. At the time of writing, Eureka's membership stands at 116, of which no less than 39 are or formerly were, seafarers. Among these are represented navy, coast guard, merchant marine and fishermen, both active and retired.
In the treatment of this subject, we have used "seafarers" in the broad sense, and have included those who have been engaged in such vocations as shipbuilding, as lighthouse keepers, and serving at life-saving stations.
The Ship Builders
In his booklet "Coaster Days", Roy E. Meservey writes "During the 19th century, the shores of St. George were lined with the frames of ships. Today, not one thing remains to show that St. George was once a prosperous ship-building town. The ways have all disappeared, the railway is gone and only two buildings remain standing which contained sail lofts. . .In the early (eighteen) sixties, there were six ships being built at the same time, all being constructed with local capital. About every family in town had its cash tied up in one or more shares."
As might be expected, a goodly number of Eureka's members were involved as shipowners, shipwrights, carpenters, sailmakers, caulkers and blacksmiths. Many of them worked in the ship yards when there were ships being built, and "shipped out" when there was no work to be had in the yards. Following is a brief note on some of Eureka's shipbuilding members.
Probably the best known of these was Holly M. Bean. Brother Bean, a highly skilled shipwright and craftsmen came to St. George and in 1872, built the schooner "EARL H. POTTER" for Brother Fred Sheerer. He then entered into a partnership with a local business man. This partnership formed in 1873, built seven more schooners for local interests. Although they were excellent vessels in all respects, the business acumen of the partners was not up to their technical knowhow. Not being a financial success, it was disolved and Bean moved to Camden where he went into the shipbuilding business on his own. There he built eight 5 masted schooners among others, and the first six master schooner ever built, the "GEORGE W. WELLS". He earned the reputation of being one of the best shipbuilders along the coast. Brother Bean affiliated with Eureka Lodge on December 12, 1872, and demitted on April 11, 1878, "to join the lodge at Camden."
Joseph Fish was the owner of the first shipyard in Port Clyde. There he built five schooners before selling out to C.W. Stimpson in the 1870's. Brother Fish received the Entered Apprentice degree in 1869, and never advanced.
John E. Dailey, one of Eureka's charter members, was a prolific builder of ships. The first of these was the schooner "WM. S. LOUD", and the last, the Schooner "ANNIE JONES", built in 1871.
John M. Fuller built a brig and a schooner on what now is the property of the East Wind Hotel, and in partnership with John E. Dailey, built a brig in 18S8. Brother Fuller was the owner of the John M. Fuller building, now the East Wind Hotel, where Eureka Lodge met from 1860 to 1894. He was raised in 1861, and was Secretary of the Lodge in 1863.
The St. George Marine Railway Company had among its partners, several members of Eureka Lodge, including John H. Long, Josiah Whitehouse, William Richardson, Thomas Wheeler, Charles Stearns, Ebenezer Otis, Isaac Fountain, John Snow, George Barter, Richard Pierson, Ruggles Torrey, and Francis and Enoch Clark. It is believed that this Company built the stone pier and building ways near the East Wind, also a number of warehouses and other structures in this vicinity.
The two sail lofts still standing are important in Eureka's history. The first, the large white building near the Town landing, was once owned by Robert Long & Son (the "Son" was Whitney Long, Eureka's Master for 11 terms). On the second floor was located the sail loft of Jackson and Elwell. The owners of this firm were Samuel H. Jackson and William A. Elwell, both members of Eureka Lodge. The meeting of St. George Masons at which the decision was made to form a lodge, was held in this sail loft on May 10, 1855.
The second former sail loft is now the East Wind Hotel, owned by Timothy Watts, a member of the Lodge. This three story building was, in 1860, known as the John M. Fuller building, and contained a store on the ground floor and a sail loft on the second. A lease was executed on September 6, 1860 between the Lodge and Brother Fuller for use of the third floor of the building, to be known as "Eureka Hall." The rent was established at $6.25 per quarter. This was to be Eureka's home until the present Masonic Hall was completed in 1894.
In addition to those named in the foregoing, the Lodge roster shows seven members who gave their occupation as "ships carpenter", one a sailmaker and three ship caulkers. The term "shipcarpenter" is ordinarily taken to mean a member of the ship's crew. It also could mean a carpenter in a shipbuilding yard. Some of these are known to have worked in shipyards, and at least two were lost at sea and must have therefore been crew members, so the term must have been used interchangeably. It is quite likely that they worked both ashore and afloat as the job market required.
The shipbuilding industry in St. George withered in the 1870's and died before the end of the century.
The Mariners
While some of Eureka's early members were building ships, many more were sailing in them. The 1850 St. George census shows 90 Master Mariners and 225 Mariners. The tax list of 1855 shows four ships, ten barques, 12 brigs and 55 schooners owned wholly or in part, in St. George. The great majority of these were small, with crews of 3-7 men. Most were engaged in coasting, the carriage of goods and an occasional passenger to and from ports up and down the Atlantic seaboard and to the West Indies. Most were schooners because they were more easily handled by small crews. For the most of Maine's coastal communities,they were the principal means of transportation with the outside world.
Outbound cargoes included wood, lumber, ice, lime and as the quarries of Maine increased production, stone in its many forms, paving blocks, building stone, rip rap and rubble for the cities along the east coast. Eventually the coaster was done in by the railroads which, in turn were supplanted by the motor truck as roads improved, but for the first half century of Eureka's history, seafaring was the way of life for many of its members.
It also created many problems. How often the District Deputy's report to Grand Lodge would contain comments to the effect that so many of Eureka's members were seafarers and consequently away so much of the time that the Lodge had trouble carrying on!
The exploits and comings and goings of Eureka's seafaring members would fill a book by themselves and require years to develop. Much interesting information is available in the Lodge records and also in Roy Meservey's "Coaster Days" and in Albert Smalley's "St. George, Maine". It makes interesting reading even in its necessarily condensed form.
The first History of Eureka Lodge relates how Brother Captain Dennis F. Tracey received a citation in 1865, from the Legislative Council of the island of Jamaica for rescuing nearly 500 men, women, and children. As the story goes, Captain Tracey's barque "REUNION" was loading in Port Antonio, Jamaica when an insurrection broke out on the island. A large number of citizens sought his protection. He received them aboard and put to sea at once. He returned to port the next day but did not deem it safe yet, and returned to sea until a British gunboat arrived and took charge of the refugees. Brother Tracey was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1857.
For a most interesting account of life aboard the Maine 4 masted schooner "R.W. HOPKINS", "The log of the Skipper's Wife" is highly recommended. Taken from the diary of the wife of Brother Capt. Fred B. Balano, it covers the years 1910-12, and even tells something of life in Herring Gut (now Port Clyde). Brother Balano served in the Navy in World War I as a Lieutenant Commander. He finished his seagoing career in steam vessels, and in World War II, was one of a very few Master Pilots whose pilot endorsements covered the East, Gulf and West Coasts. He was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1907, and remained a member until his death in 1956.
Mrs. Elizabeth Tupper, Secretary in the Grand Lodge office, provided a copy of a news clipping dated June 3, 1918, telling the story of two St. George shipmasters whose schooners were sunk by a German U-boat, Her grandfather, Captain Charles Gilmore (Gillmor) of Port Clyde, Master of the schooner "EDNA", and Captain Charles E. Holbrook of Tenants Harbor, Master of the schooner "HATTIE DUNN" were taken prisoner aboard the U-boat which sunk their vessels, and were held for several days before being set adrift in the lifeboats of a steamer which the submarine had also sunk, some 65 miles off the New Jersey coast. They were well treated by the submarine crew, and Mrs. Tupper's note states that "I remember my father telling that after the U-boat Captain discovered my grandfather was a Mason, he was treated royally." Captain Gilmore was a former member of Eureka Lodge, having been raised there in 1891. Captain Holbrook, who was raised in 1911, was a member of the Lodge.
The Hunter brothers, Arthur and Frank had distinquished careers as shipmasters, both going to sea when in their teens. Arthur Hunter was master of the schooner "WILLIAM HIRSCH" when another brother Benjamin who was first mate, was lost overboard. Arthur was later given command of a new 3 masted schooner of the Hirsch Lumber Company fleet, and remained with her until his retirement. Frank attended the high school in Tenants Harbor, which was located over the Long store, before beginning his seafaring. He rose rapidly and commanded a number of schooners, finishing out his career in the Maine Palmer fleet. Both Hunter brothers were raised in Eureka Lodge in 1912, and remained members until their deaths; Arthur in 1940 and Frank in 1968.
One of St. George's finest shipmasters was Captain Paul G. Rivers. Going to sea at an early age, he is remembered for an incident in 1912, when his vessel encountered heavy weather and was dismasted. He finally made port under jury rig after being unreported for 40 days, and presumed lost. Brother Rivers was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1900. He died in 1919, and was buried in Seaside Cemetery with Masonic Honors.
Brother Captain Charles F. Hart was master of vessels sailing out of Tenants Harbor at age 21. He was once master of the "THOMAS W. LAWSON", the only seven master schooner ever built. He was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1895, and remained a member until his death in Portland, in 1924.
There are many interesting stories that could be told of the careers of Eureka's 230 known seafarers, but space will not allow for more than these few samples.
Seafaring was never an easy life, and hardships were the rule in the days of sail. Very few today would put up with the dangers and difficulties which were considered just part of the game not many years ago. Sailing coasters were small, and by today's standards, badly undermanned. Navigation was usually "by guess and by God". Aids to navigation were few and far between. Added to natural dangers of storm, fog, ice and snow, were fires, crew troubles and disease. Many of Eureka's seafarers didn't make it, as the records cited below will show.
John H. Smalley one of the charter members of the Lodge, died of a lingering disease contracted while master of the barque "N. BOYNTON".
William Smalley also a charter member died while master of the ship "CHARLES BUCK". There are two accounts of his death. The Lodge History states "he died in Bombay October 25, 1859 of inflammation of the lungs supposed to have been contracted by exposure and over-exertion during the burning of his ship at that place a few days previous". The other states that he succumbed to yellow fever while returning from Bombay. He was 36 years old at the time of his death.
Joseph Kinney was mate of the ship "ST. PATRICK" and died in Liverpool November 25, 1857. By dispensation, he received all three degrees in Eureka Lodge on the same evening. This was done as he was about to sail on the voyage which proved to be his last. His body was returned, and buried with Masonic Honors.
Michael Rawley, master of the schooner "ELIZA ANN", died in Cardenas, Cuba February 27, 18S8. He was one of the early petitioners to Eureka Lodge, and was raised July 12, 1857.
Thomas K. Davis, mate of the ship "CAVALIER", died on the passage from St. Johns, N.B. to Liverpool, July 24, 1860. Masonic services were held by Eureka Lodge.
Levi Wiley, master of the schooner "S.H. JACKSON", sailed from Baltimore December 17, 1865, and was never heard from again after passing out the Virginia Capes.
Emery St. Clair was mate of the barque "CHARLES EDWARD" which sailed Portland for Cardenas, Cuba on January 5, 1866, and was never heard from again.
Jonathan W. Clark, ship's carpenter, died of cholera at New Orleans December 22, 1867. The record does not show the name of the vessel.
Charles H. Shaw, master of the schooner "FANNIE K. SHAW" died of yellow fever at Havana, Cuba on January 28,1869.
Dennis F. Tracey, master of the barque "REUNION", died at Savanah, Georgia, November 5, 1866. His body was brought home and buried in Seaside Cemetery with Masonic Honors.
Samuel B. Davis was lost overboard off Cape Hatteras from the schooner "ADA F. WHITNEY" on June 1, 1873.
Orris Wheeler was lost overboard from the schooner "ONOLASKA" on January 4, 1875. A monument to his memory is in Ridge Cemetery.
Ira M. Gilman was lost at sea from the schooner "MARY W. HUPPER" of which he was master. A monumental stone is in Ridge Cemetery.
George K. Davis was mate of the schooner "FREDERICK FISH" when she struck on Stone Horse Shoal in a snowstorm on January 2, 1878, and sank shortly thereafter. All hands left the wreck in the yawl boat, eventually drifting ashore on Nantucket Island. Brother Davis died of exposure, apparently soon after leaving the wreck. His body was returned to St. George by Union Lodge of Nantucket, and buried with Masonic Honors. James H. Davis, also a member of Eureka Lodge and brother of George, was master of the schooner when she was lost. He had his wife and infant daughter with him on the voyage. Eureka's minutes of January 17, 1878 note that "Voted thanks to Union Lodge of Nantucket, Mass. for their kindness in ministering to the necessities of our Brother J.H. Davis and family, and for their special care of the body of our deceased brother George K. Davis."
Peter Dexter was lost at sea on the night of November 17, 1883, age 33 years. Vessel unknown.
Leslie E. Wheeler, master of the schooner "LEVI S. ANDREWS" was lost overboard in August 1899.
Seymour Watts was lost at sea with his wife, when their vessel presumably burned at sea off the Pacific Coast in 1901.
Roderick D. Henderson died on July 26, 1924 when he was lost overboard from the barge of which he was captain. His body was returned home by the Lodge in Savannah. He is buried in Ridge Cemetery.
The number of deaths amply brings out the hazards of seafaring in the early days. As the age of sail declined and came to an end, so did the number of those lost at sea diminish. The last member of Eureka Lodge to lose his life at sea was Maurice Simmons, who died in 1950. An account will be found in the following section.
The Fisherman
Fishing was undoubtedly the earliest industry to be established in St. George. Captain George Weymouth reporting on his voyage here in 1605, stated that they took great numbers of lobsters and fish, and noted that they all "of whatsoever kind we took were well fed, fat and sweet in taste." Within a few years, the waters were alive with fishing vessels both from the other colonies and from Europe. It was said that it was not unusual to see forty or more fishermen in any of the sheltered coves or harbors during a spell of bad weather outside.
Fishing has been an important industry in St. George ever since those early days. As the "Annals of St. George" of 1892 notes "Many are engaged in fishing along the coast, and this is no small business."
Important parts of the fishing industry were the fish canneries and cold storage plants, several of which were once located in Port Clyde. All are now gone. Josiah Hupper, a member of Eureka Lodge was part owner of one of these, and William Brennan, another member, was part owner of a large concern involved in all phases of the fishing business.
Many of Eureka's earlier members gave their occupations as "mariners", and most of them are known to have been engaged in coastwise and offshore sailing vessels. Some of them were very likely either part or full time fishermen, but the first to list his occupation as "fisherman" was Weston H. Wiley, raised in 1907. The next did not appear until 1921, when William F. Cook, Clarence Dwyer and Levi Torrey made application.
From that time on however, many fishermen have appeared on Eureka Lodge's roster. Lobster fishing has been St George's most important industry for many years, and as might be expected, many St. George lobster fishermen are members of Eureka Lodge. Of the 39 present and former seafarers on the Lodge rolls, 24 are fishermen.
Of these, no less than six have been Masters. The first was Howard I. Monaghan who served as such in 1949, and for three additional terms, the latest in 19S6. Richard Falla was in the East in 1958, Ernest F. Wilson in 1959 and 1965, and Douglas A. Rackliff in 1975-76. Clyson J. Coffin who for many years was owner and master of deep sea fishermen, served as Eureka's Master in 1973-74.
Finally the most recent, and hopefully the last of Eureka's members to lose his life at sea, and the only one of its Masters to die while in office, was Maurice E. Simmons. The folowing account appeared in the Rockland Courier Gazette on December 9, 1950.
"Maurice E. Simmons, 46 of Tenants Harbor was lost off Port Clyde Tuesday morning. First indication of the tragedy came when his lobster boat beached out on Hupper's Island in Port Clyde harbor with the motor running. Coast Guard crews from Burnt Island Station, several volunteers from the town fleet of small boats, and sheriffs started an immediate search. The quest continued throughout the day Thursday, being halted by darkness. Friday morning the search was continued with several boats dragging the area for Simmons' body. Hugo Lehtinen flying a seaplane combed the sea off the town throughout Thursday morning, without success..."
And in the Courier-Gazette of January 16, 1951:
In Memory Of Maurice Edwin Simmons
"The sudden untimely passing of our friend and brother Maurice Edwin Simmons Thursday, December 7, 1950 brings to us, members of Eureka Lodge No. 84, AF & AM the solemn duty of placing on record an expression of our heartfelt sorrow. . . We share with the bereaved family their irreplaceable loss and commend them to the care of the Good Shepard who keepeth watch over His own. May God bless and hallow the memory of Maurice Edwin Simmons, a good man, husband, father and highly esteemed Worshipful Master of Eureka Lodge of Masons."
The Coast Guardsmen
In concluding this account of Eureka Lodge's seafarers, one group remains, to which all mariners owe a great deal. Navigation was more of an art than a science in the early days, and as a result, hundreds of ships were wrecked up and down the coast each year, and the loss of life and property was staggering. Unmarked and uncharted ledges, reefs, banks and other obstructions took a heavy toll. Eventually this led to the establishment of the Lighthouse Service and the marking of the worst of the danger points by light houses. Four of these are located in St. George, and include Marshall Point (formerly known as South St. George), Whitehead, Franklin Island and Southern Island (closed down in 1933). In the list of Eureka's seafarers will be found five who were light housekeepers including Orren Prescott, a charter member who was appointed to his post as keeper of the Marshall Point Light by President Pierce, and later by President Lincoln, and was serving as such at the time of his death. Thaddeus Wallace was keeper of the Southern Island Light, and died on the Island.
The heavy loss of life from shipwrecks resulted, after years of half hearted efforts by private interests to set up life saving stations along the coast, in the establishment of the Life Saving Service under the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 1871. Shortly thereafter in 1874, a life saving station was established on Whitehead Island, with Herbert A. Elwell, a member of Eureka Lodge as one of its first surfmen. In 1891, the Burnt Island Station was opened, with Herbert A. Elwell as its first Keeper, and Clyson Wilson and Fred Lowell, both members of Eureka Lodge, as surfmen.
The functions of both the Lighthouse Service and the Life Saving Service were absorbed by the Coast Guard in 1939. The Lodge records show at least nine members who are or were, Coast Guardsmen, in addition to several more who had war time service. CPO Janner M. Morgan recently completed tour of duty as Officer-in-Charge of the light house and loran station at Marshall Point.
The following list of Eureka's seafarers was compiled from many sources, chief of which was the Lodge records. Many old petitions for membership show the petitioner's occupation as "mariner". This could cover a multitude of jobs, ranging from chief mate to Ordinary Seaman, marine engineer, steward, fisherman and many others. By way of clarification, the word "Shipmaster" has been used where it is known that the individual has actually been in command of a vessel, while "Master Mariner" has been employed where he is known to have been licensed as such or is otherwise qualified to command.
In the following list, those who have been lost or died at sea, are bold faced, and those presently members of the Lodge are indicated by an asterisk.
| Alexander Allen (Charter) | Shipmaster |
| Charles M. Allen | Fisherman |
| Arthur J. Alley | Fisherman |
| * William J. Anderson | Fisherman |
| * William J. Anderson Jr. | Fisherman |
| Samuel S. Archer | Fisherman |
| * Robert H. Armstrong | Fisherman |
| * Joseph L. Arpin | Fisherman |
| Elbridge Averel | Mariner |
| Nathan Bachelder | Ship's Carpenter |
| Fred B. Balano | Shipmaster |
| * Ralph K. Banks | Coast Guard |
| Elon G. Barker | Mariner |
| Albion Barter | Mariner |
| George W. Barter (Charter) | Shipmaster |
| Ollie C. Barter | Mariner |
| Holly M. Bean | Shipbuilder |
| Peter V. Bennett (Benedetti) | Coast Guard |
| Stephen S. Bickmore | Ship's Carpenter |
| John H. Bond | Shipmaster |
| Andrew J. Brown | Mariner |
| George F.Brown | Shipmaster |
| John F. Brown Jr. | Ship's Carpenter |
| Joseph W. Bucklin | Surfman |
| Lysander Burton | Ship's Carpenter |
| * Hollis R. Chadwick | Mariner |
| Enoch R. Clark | Master Mariner |
| Francis Clark | Master Mariner |
| John M. Clark | Master Mariner |
| Jonathan M. Clark | Ship's Carpenter |
| Samuel J. Clark | Mariner |
| * Clyson J. Coffin | Shipmaster |
| * Ralph E. Colson | Fisherman |
| Russell S. Cook | Fisherman |
| William F. Cook | Fisherman |
| William S. Cook | Fisherman |
| * Samuel H. Crittenden Jr. | Naval Officer (RADM) |
| Charles G. Crocker | Ship Caulker |
| John E. Dailey | Shipbuilder |
| George K. Davis | Master Mariner |
| James H. Davis | Shipmaster |
| Samuel B. Davis | Mariner |
| Samuel L. Davis | Master Mariner |
| Thomas K. Davis | Mariner |
| William K. Davis | Master Mariner |
| * Henly C. Day | Lighthouse Keeper |
| Peter Dexter | Mariner |
| * Stanley Doughty | Coast Guard |
| * Richard D. Dow | Fisherman |
| Clarence J. Dwyer | Fisherman |
| William V. Dunbar | Ship Caulker |
| Samuel Dwyer | Mariner |
| William Dwyer | Master Mariner |
| Herbert A. Elwell | Life Saving Station Keeper |
| William A. Elwell | Sailmaker |
| James D. Fales | Master Mariner |
| Otis Fales | Master Mariner |
| * Richard H. Falla | Fisherman |
| Eben Frank Farnham | Mariner |
| Edward W. Farnham | Sailmaker |
| John W. Faulkingham | Coast Guard |
| William W. Ferguson | Master Mariner |
| * Earl S. Field Jr. | Fisherman |
| Joseph Fish (EA) | Shipbuilder |
| Isaac Fountain | Master Mariner |
| Isaac A. Fountain | Shipmaster |
| John M. Fuller | Shipbuilder |
| * Nathan Fuller | Fisherman |
| * Wallace M. Gage | Mariner |
| Alden Gilchrest | Master Mariner |
| George A. Gilchrest | Shipmaster |
| James A. Gilchrest | Shipmaster |
| David W.Giles | Shipmaster |
| Henry Giles | Master Mariner |
| Ira C. Gilman | Shipmaster |
| Charles M. Gilmore | Shipmaster |
| Edward W. Harris | Mariner |
| Phineas Harris | Master Mariner |
| Charles F. Hart | Shipmaster |
| Edward A. Hart | Mariner |
| Edward C. Hart | Mariner |
| Frank A. Hart | Mariner |
| Fred N.Hart | Mariner |
| Isaiah Hart | Master Mariner |
| Levi Hart | Shipmaster |
| Merrill C.Hart | Shipmaster |
| Thomas F. Hart | Shipmaster |
| Warren F. Hart | Master Mariner |
| William J. Hastings | Mariner |
| Alexander Hathorn | Shipmaster |
| Orris C. Hathorn | Master Mariner |
| * Alvin K. Hawkins Sr. | Mariner |
| Alvin K. Hawkins Jr. | Fisherman |
| Julian M. Hawkins | Fisherman |
| William Hays | Master Mariner |
| Alfred H. Henderson | Master Mariner |
| Roderick D. Henderson | Mariner |
| Cyrus A. Hilt | Mariner |
| Frank O. Hilt | Lighthouse Keeper |
| John A. Hobbs | Mariner |
| Charles E. Holbrook | Shipmaster |
| John R. Holly | Mariner |
| Thomas G. Hooper | Master Mariner |
| Arthur Hunter | Shipmaster |
| Frank W. Hunter | Shipmaster |
| Arthur C. Hupper | Fisherman |
| * George W. Hupper | Coast Guard |
| Josiah Hupper | Master Mariner |
| Montfort J. Hupper | Surfman |
| Samuel H. Jackson (Charter) | Shipmaster |
| Ezekiel Jameson | Ship's Carpenter |
| Henry G. Jones | Master Mariner |
| Stephen Jones | Mariner |
| Jens Jorgensen | Mariner |
| Charles H. Kalloch | Mariner |
| Joseph Kinney | Mariner |
| John Keen | Mariner |
| Alden Keller | Mariner |
| Azor Keller | Mariner |
| James E. Kellar | Mariner |
| William S. Kellar | Mariner |
| William A. Kerswell | Mariner |
| Fred Keen | Mariner |
| John H. Long | Shipmaster |
| Whitney Long | Shipmaster |
| William Long (Charter) | Shipmaster |
| Fred L. Lowell | Surfman |
| Freeman M. Lowell | Mariner |
| Lewis Lowell | Mariner |
| Edwin Maloney | Mariner |
| * Stephen R. Marson | Marine Engineer |
| * Lincoln McRae | Marine Engineer |
| * Newell C. McLain | Fisherman |
| Albion K. Meservey | Shipmaster |
| Joseph Meservey | Mariner |
| * Alan S. Miller | Fisherman |
| * Luther S. Miller | Fisherman |
| * Steven N. Miller | Fisherman |
| Everett M. Mills | Coast Guard |
| Edward E. Monaghan | Fisherman |
| * Keith E. Monaghan | Fisherman |
| Howard I. Monaghan | Fisherman |
| Peter Mont | Mariner |
| Benjamin F. Montgomery | Ship Caulker |
| * Janner M. Morgan | Coast Guard |
| * Charles B. Morris | Fisherman |
| Emerson Murphy | Shipmaster |
| * Ladd R. Myrick | Fisherman |
| Oscar F. Nelson | Mariner |
| James V. Norwood | Mariner |
| Richard M. O'Brien | Master Mariner |
| William T. O'Brien | Mariner |
| Lewis Ogier (Charter) | Mariner |
| Reid R. Pierson | Master Mariner |
| Simon Pierson | Master Mariner |
| Robert H. W. Pike | Mariner |
| George C. Pooley | Mariner |
| Orren Prescott | Lighthouse Keeper |
| * Bernard Rackliff | Fisherman |
| * Douglas A. Rackliff | Fisherman |
| * Frank R. Rackliff | Fisherman |
| * Paul B. Rackliff | Fisherman |
| Edward Rawley | Master Mariner |
| Michael Rawley | Shipmaster |
| William M. Richardson | Mariner |
| Paul G. Rivers | Shipmaster |
| Weston H. Rivers | Mariner |
| Fred W. Robinson | Master Mariner |
| Sylvanus Robinson | Shipmaster |
| * Hilding E. Seastrom | Fisherman |
| * Harold C. Scarpino | Shipmaster |
| Charles H. Shaw | Shipmaster |
| Frederick Sheerer | Mariner |
| Howard S. Simmons | Fisherman |
| Maurice E. Simmons | Fisherman |
| Adam S. Smalley | Master Mariner |
| Edwin M. Smalley | Mariner |
| John H. Smalley (Charter) | Master Mariner |
| John S. Smalley | Mariner |
| Thomas W. Smalley | Mariner |
| William Smalley (Charter) | Shipmaster |
| Emery St. Clair | Ship's Carpenter |
| * Arnold W.Stanley | Fisherman |
| Lewis B. Stanton | Master Mariner |
| Ephraim Stover | Mariner |
| Jonathan Strong | Master Mariner |
| David H. Sumner | Master Mariner |
| Miles S. Sweetland | Mariner |
| Russell Tabbutt | Surfman |
| James S. Teel | Mariner |
| Ardenne Thomas | Shipmaster |
| Arthur D. Thomas | Shipmaster |
| James W. Thomas | Mariner |
| * Earle A. Thompson | Coast Guard |
| Forrest K. Torrey | Shipmaster |
| Levi B. Torrey | Fisherman |
| Ruggles Torrey (EA) | Master Mariner |
| Dennis F. Tracey | Shipmaster |
| John L. Tracy | Mariner |
| Perley Trask | Fisherman |
| *Paul Traugh | Fisherman |
| John P. Turner | Mariner |
| Leon Verrier | Boat Operator |
| David Wall | Master Mariner |
| Ezekiel Wall | Mariner |
| Isaac B. Wall | Master Mariner |
| Mark G. Wall | Mariner |
| Merrill B. Wall | Fisherman |
| Thaddeus Wallace | Lighthouse Keeper |
| * Harry Watters | Coast Guard |
| Alan B. Watts | Coast Guard |
| * Albert B. Watts Jr. | Shipmaster |
| Jackson G. Watts | Mariner |
| Joseph W. Watts | Master Mariner |
| Samuel Watts | Mariner |
| Seymour Watts | Shipmaster |
| Leslie Wheeler | Shipmaster |
| Orris Wheeler | Mariner |
| Thomas J. Wheeler | Master Mariner |
| Walter B. Wheeler | Shipmaster |
| Henry Wiley | Mariner |
| Levi Wiley | Shipmaster |
| Weston H. Wiley | Fisherman |
| John S. Williams | Mariner |
| Charles F. Wilson | Mariner |
| Clyson Wilson | Surfman |
| * Ernest F. Wilson | Fisherman |
| Jesse Wilson | Mariner |
| Willis E.Wilson | Lighthouse Keeper |
Ships Named for Members of Eureka Lodge
Brig "J.H. LONG" built by Farnham and Watts, Tenants Harbor in 1848. 179 tons. Named for Bro. John H. Long, one of the early members of the Lodge, raised in 1856. He was Master in 1866 and 1867.
Schooner "G.W. BARTER" built by Farnham and Watts, Tenants Harbor in 1863. 280 tons. Bro. George W. Barter was one of the charter members of Eureka Lodge, having been raised in Orient Lodge No. 15, Thomaston in 1854.
Schooner "JOSEPH FISH" built by John E. Dailey, Tenants Harbor in 1847. 276 tons. Lost at sea May 26, 1862 on a voyage from Rangoon to Falmouth, England. Bro. Fish received his Entered Apprentice degree on December 31, 1869, but did not progress further.
Schooner "JOHN E. DAILEY" built by John E. Dailey, Tenants Harbor in 1870, was a two masted vessel. 184 tons. Bro. Dailey was a charter member of the Lodge, having been raised in Amity Lodge No. 6, Camden in 1852. He was a carpenter and shipbuilder, and built several of the vessels named for Lodge members.
Schooner WARREN BLAKE" was built by John M. Fuller, Tenants Harbor in 1860. 196 tons. Bro. Blake was a charter member and served as Treasurer of the Lodge for many years.
Schooner "FRED SHEERER" was built by Gilman and Gould in 1857. 199 tons. Bro. Sheerer was the first petitioner to Eureka Lodge, and was raised in 1856. He was born in Wales, and served in the British Navy before coming to St. George.
Schooner "C.M. GILMORE" was built by C.W. Stimpson in Port Clyde in 1876. 43 tons. (Presumably named for Bro. Charles M. Gilmore , also spelled Gillmor) who is remembered as having been master of a schooner sunk by the Germans in WWI and was taken aboard a submarine and held prisoner there for several days.
Brig "WILLIAM H. BICKMORE" was built by John Bickmore in 1863 in Tenants Harbor. 437 tons. Named for another early member of the Lodge. Bro. Bickmore was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1863.
Schooner "JOHN L. TRACEY" was built by John Bickmore in 1867 in Tenants Harbor. 259 tons. Bro. Tracey was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1860. He died at age 42, and was buried with Masonic honors.
Schooner "S.S. BICKMORE" was built by John Bickmore in 1867. 224 tons. Bro. Bickmore was raised in 1856 and was a member of Eureka Lodge until his death in 1876. He served as Junior Warden and Secretary of the Lodge.
Schooner "G.W. ANDREWS" was built by Long and Bean in 1873, a three masted Schooner of 254 tons. Lost in collision with a French ship 100 miles east of New York in August 1880. All hands were saved. Understood to have been named for Bro. George W. Andrews, who was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1906.
Schooner "LEVI HART" was built by Long and Bean in 1873. 407 tons. Named for one of St George's noted mariners. Bro. Hart was master of the vessel named for him, for some time. He later operated a dry goods store in Tenants Harbor. Raised in Eureka Lodge in 1876.
Schooner "FRED B. BALANO" was built by Washburn Bros. in 1890, a three masted vessel. Built Port Clyde. Bro. Balano came from a seafaring family, and was one of St. George's outstanding shipmasters.
Schooner "F.L. LOWELL" built 1886, 6 tons. Named for Bro. Fred L. Lowell, a member of one of the community's oldest families. Bro. Lowell was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1889. He was a member of the first crew at the Burnt Island Life Saving Station.
Schooner "GEORGE GILCHREST" built in 1866, of 387 tons. Bro. Gilchrest was raised in 1873 and was a member of one of the old time St. George shipping families.
Schooner "HENRY KALLOCH" was built in Tenants Harbor in 1854, 142 tons. Named for Bro. "Deacon" Kalloch, one of St. George's most respected citizens. Bro. Kalloch was a merchant and a carpenter, and operated a building supply business.
Schooner "JOSIAH WHITEHOUSE" built in 1864, 276 tons. She was lost off New Jersey. Named for Bro. Josiah Whitehouse who was raised in Eureka Lodge in 1863. Bro. Whitehouse was a business man in St. George.
Schooner "MERRILL C. HART" was built in Bristol by David Hart for his son Merrill, who was the first master of his namesake vessel. She is reported to have been fast and easy to handle. Fred Robinson (also of Eureka Lodge) was later her master. She was lost off Block Island in a collision with the Barque "JOHN S. BENNETT" while loaded with stone. She sank immediately, with the loss of her master.
Schooner "S.H. JACKSON" was built in 1848, 350 tons. Lost at sea in 1865 after sailing from Baltimore. No trace ever found. Named for Bro. Samuel H. Jackson, a charter member of Eureka Lodge. Raised in Phoenix Lodge No 24, Belfast. A Past Master and distinquished citizen of St. George.
Schooner"WHITNEY LONG" was built in 1864, 254 tons. Named for Bro. Whitney Long whose biography appears in the chapter "THE STALWARTS". A leading citizen of St. George for many years.
>> Next Page