NJ Pine Barrens Maritime-Culture-Landscape 1 1 2024

Shipbuilding in Atlantic County
Colonial Sailing Vessels
Whale boats were being built by the early eighteenth century. Then fishing boats were produced. Sloop-rigged craft
with two, three or four masts became popular. Gradually, construction shifted from the sloop to the small schooner
fitted for lumber and charcoal trade. American ships were now known for their modeling and durability.
The size of vessels was gradually increased from three hundred to eight hundred tons, costing from $3,000 to
$7,000. Ships left Mays Landing filled with charcoal and cordwood for calls in New York, Philadelphia, Virginia, the
West Indies and South America.
South Jersey shipyards were plentiful and busy. A good portion of Atlantic County residents depended upon
shipbuilding for their livelihood. By the first half of the 19th Century, there were shipyards in Absecon, Bargaintown,
Port Republic and Mays Landing. Shipyards were also in Bakersville (known today as Northfield), and Leedsville
(now known as Linwood).
Absecon Creek was a major center with its small stream and deep channel. Over twenty-three ships were built at
Absecon Creek and registered at Great Egg Harbor between 1858 and 1879. Seven of them were 3-masted
schooners over 100 feet long.
George Wheaton, also a shipbuilder, turned out two dozen schooners at his yard where the mouth of Babcock’s
Creek empties into the Great Egg Harbor River. Israel Smith’s shipyard in English Creek produced schooners and
smaller craft. Shipyards dotted the landscape at Green Bank, Port Republic and Batsto. Sloops and schooners were
turned out at shipyards in Somers Point. In the Census of 1840, Atlantic County shipyards produced more than all
the coastal counties in New Jersey. The value of ships and vessels produced in Atlantic County that year was
$104,000 as compared to Cape May County ($39,000), Cumberland County ($44.000), and Burlington County
($15,000).
Rancocas Pathways 463