Mystic in Stonington in New London County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013
1. Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry Marker
Built: 1866, R. & J. Palmer Shipyard, Noank, CT,
Length on deck: 45’ 9”
Beam: 14’ 8”
Draft: 6‘
Built three miles down the Mystic River in 1866, the Emma C. Berry is the only survivor of a small, seaworthy fishing vessel type that once ranged the coast from Maine to Florida. When launched, she had a wet well: a watertight compartment in her hold with holes drilled through the bottom so seawater could flow in and out to keep her catch alive. Named for her captain’s daughter, she originally fished for mackerel, and later for cod and even swordfish, delivering her catch fresh to Noank, New London or New York.
In 1886 the Berry was rerigged as a two-masted schooner, and in 1894 she was sold to an owner in Maine. After carrying lobsters and bait on the Maine coast for 30 years, an enterprising sailor patched her up for coastal trade. Then she was rebuilt as a yacht in New Jersey in the 1930s.
When Mystic Seaport acquired the Emma C. Berry in 1969, vey little was original except her shape. During restorations in 1969-71 and in 1987-88 she was returned to her original configuration, based on photographs, models, and other information. After she was restored, Mystic Seaport staff sailed the Berry, finding how responsive this yachtlike design is,
this page online
Erected by Mystic Seaport Museum. (Marker Number 1969.231.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 41° 21.649′ N, 71° 57.925′ W. Marker is in Stonington, Connecticut, in New London County. It is in Mystic. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) and Bruggeman Place, on the right when traveling south. Located in Mystic Seaport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry (here, next to this marker); Thomas Downing, Oyster King (a few steps from this marker); It's All Connected (within shouting distance of this marker); Lobster Car (within shouting distance of this marker); Western-Rig Dragger Florence (within shouting distance of this marker); Gerda III (within shouting distance of this marker); Outhouse or Privy (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Banks Fishing Schooner Roseway (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
Related marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, June 24, 2023
2. Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry Marker
The marker has weathered but remains standing.
Also see . . . Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea. (Submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, June 24, 2023
3. Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013
4. Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013
5. Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 639 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
