Bath in Sagadahoc County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Site of the South Ways (ca. 1867)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

1. Site of the South Ways (ca. 1867) Marker

Inscription.
A good shipbuilding site has a natural 4° to 12° slope down to deep water.

Using this grade, building slips (ways) were constructed on cleared and graded areas. These were wooden foundations to accommodate the hull under construction and the launching ways.

From 1867 to 1880, the Daniel O. Blaisdell shipyard built 15 vessels on the South Ways. Percy & Small followed with another 22 vessels between 1897 and 1920.

[Background photo caption reads]
The Evelyn W. Hinkly takes shape on the South Ways, at right, while the 6-master Ruth E. Merrill slides into the Kennebec from the North Ways, at left, in 1904.

Erected by Maine Maritime Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 43° 53.673′ N, 69° 48.942′ W. Marker is in Bath, Maine, in Sagadahoc County. Marker is on the grounds of the Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bath ME 04530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wyoming Sculpture (a few steps from this marker); Bath Iron Works (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pitch Oven (1902)

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(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Wyoming Sculpture (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mould Loft (1917) (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the North Ways (1901) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caulkers' Shed (1899) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fitting-Out Pier (1906) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bath.

More about this marker. The Maine Maritime Museum is on the grounds of the former Percy & Small Shipyard, which was the last remaining intact wooden sailing vessel shipyard in the United States.

Also see . . .
1. Maine Maritime Museum. (Submitted on January 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Glamorous Six Masters. (Submitted on January 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Percy & Small Yard List. (Submitted on January 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Site of the South Ways (ca. 1867) and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

2. Site of the South Ways (ca. 1867) and Marker

Maine Maritime Museum Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

3. Maine Maritime Museum Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 29, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on January 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.