Patchogue in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Wreck of the Nahum Chapin

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 21, 2019

1. The Wreck of the Nahum Chapin Marker

Inscription. The Nahum Chapin was a 145 foot three -masted schooner built in Rockland, Maine in 1882. On January 2, 1897, while on its way from Baltimore to Boston with a cargo of coal the ship ran aground due to a fierce winter storm just off the coastline near Quogue, Long Island, New York. As helpless crowds watched, huge waves broke the ship apart throwing all hands into the water.

No one survived.

In this sacred ground rest five of the ship's crew. The tragedy of the Nahum Chapin brought these men to our shores, to an island with which they had no kinship. But here we provide their souls a resting place to honor their memory.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 2, 1897.

Location. 40° 45.96′ N, 73° 1.408′ W. Marker is in Patchogue, New York, in Suffolk County. It can be reached from the intersection of Montauk Highway and Riverview Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Patchogue NY 11772, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the New York City Metropolitan Area and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Wreck of the Louis V. Place (a few steps from this marker); Site of Hart's Tavern (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Hart's Tavern (about 300 feet away); The Lace Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Paul the Tailor Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Citizen Soldier (approx. 0.6 miles away); Capt. Austin Roe (approx. 0.7 miles away); Bayport Aerodrome (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Patchogue.

More about this marker. The marker is located in the middle of Lakeview Cemetery. From the entrance (on Montauk Highway) go straight along the service road into the cemetery about 200 feet, and you will find the marker on the right.

Also see . . . Quogue Library Restores Anchor From Wreck of the NAHUM CHAPIN (quoguelifesavingstation.com). The Ship was wrecked off the Quogue Beach on January 21, 1897, during a Northeaster with 50 MPH winds recorded. In the USLSS Annual report of 1897, the wreck was considered “one of the most deplorable disasters of the year”, with a loss of the entire crew of nine. Multiple rescue attempts were made from shore with the Lyle “line” Canon, but despite the valiant efforts of the Surfmen from
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 21, 2019

2. The Wreck of the Nahum Chapin Marker - wide view
The marker for the Nahum Chapin is visible here on the left, while the marker for the wreck of the Louis V. Place is visible on the right, at the other end of the row of gravestones.
the Quogue, Tiana, and Potunk Stations, the “calamity was as swift as it was overwhelming” as within an hour of responding, the “wreck lay in fragments at their feet”. (Submitted on May 20, 2019.)

Additional keywords. The Wreck of the Nahum Chapin

Nahum Chapin crew gravestones image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 21, 2019

3. Nahum Chapin crew gravestones

Gravestones for A. Lucyanich, Victor Stevenson, Oscar Andersen, Albert Lowe, and Loy Anderson (not shown) of the Nahum Chapin, wrecked on January 21, 1897.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 767 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 20, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.