Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Cape Cod Catboat Breck Marshall
Built: 1987, Mystic Seaport Museum
Length: 20'
Beam: 10'
The Breck Marshall is a reproduction of a Cape Cod catboat as built by the Crosby family of Osterville, Massachusetts; at the end of the 1800s. Catboats were once, perhaps, the most common type of boat found between Point Judith, Rhode Island, and Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Catboats have a practical design that makes them easy to spot. These wide work-boats have a single mast stepped far forward and a roomy cockpit in the back. Their single, large sail is usually a four sided, gaff-headed one. Equipped with a centerboard and excellent in shallow water, stable and highly maneuverable catboats were used by fishermen to harvest cod, swordfish, scallops, and lobsters. Other boatmen used them to deliver mail, haul passengers, and have fun. The design remains popular today among recreational sailors.
The Breck Marshall is a working catboat, and during the summer months it sails the Mystic River carrying sight-seeing passengers. Built with funds from the Catboat Association, the boat is a memorial to Breck Marshall, former president of Marshall Marine, catboat builder, and enthusiast.
Erected by Mystic Seaport Museum. (Marker Number 1986.10.)
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.
Location. 41° 21.723′ N, 71° 57.921′ 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 Hinckley Street, 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 and in New England. 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 walking distance of this marker: Sardine Carrier Regina M (a few steps from this marker); Whaleboat (a few steps from this marker); Waterways to Freedom - Maria Weems and Leah Green (a few steps from this marker); Clara Tinkhams Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of the Charles W. Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); Whaleship Charles W. Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); Fishing Schooner L.A. Dunton (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Tank from the Schooner Beulah (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
Additional keywords. Cape Cod Catboat Breck
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 377 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
