Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Western-Rig Dragger Florence
Built: 1926, Franklin G. Post, Mystic, CT
Length: 39'6"
Beam: 12'10"
Draft: 5'2"
Florence and Roann represent the net form of fishing that replaced the hook-and-line methods used by vessels like the schooner L.A. Dunton. Typical of southern New England, Florence is a western-rig dragger, with a small pilothouse forward; a large working deck after; a small varnished cabin with simple berths and a small Shipmate stove alongside the engine; and a fish hold where the catch was stored in barrels.
In summer, Florence was rigged to harpoon swordfish off Block Island (see photo). In winter, it dragged an otter trawl fishnet across the ocean bottom to catch flounder, cod, and haddock. It generally worked off Montauk Point, the back of Long Island, Block Island, and Watch Hill, Rhode Island, with a crew of two or three.
Restored to its original specifications by the Museum's shipwrights and riggers, Florence is a rare example of the many similar fishing boats built nearby on the Mystic River in the 1920s and 1930s. Its original engine, a 65-horsepower, 6-cylinder Lathrop Standard Model T-head, was also built locally.
Erected by Mystic
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 41° 21.639′ N, 71° 57.9′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) south of Bruggeman Place, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
Other markers no longer nearby. Western-Rig Dragger Florence (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Eastern-Rig Dragger Roann (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker, which had a slightly different inscription.
Additional keywords. Western-Rig Dragger Florence
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
