Footnotes to Long Island History
Pt. Jeff Harbor in
‘95
August 18, 1955
by
Thomas R. Bayles
The
“American Bay of Naples,” as Port Jefferson harbor was called years ago,
was a scene of great activity in 1895, as is shown by the following
clipping from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle for May 5, 1895.
“E. M.
Brown, commodore of the New York Yacht club, was here today inspecting
his steam yacht Sylvia, flagship of the New York fleet, which was
launched a few days ago from the Mather & Wood railways. She has
received a thorough overhauling and several alterations since her
arrival from England three months ago, where she was purchased for Mr.
Brown. Artists from New York are now at work decorating the interior.
The saloon will be decorated in ivory and gold, and the owner’s room in
cream and pink, as well as is the guest room. The Sylvia is a trim and
shapely boat, 130 feet in length, and is with one exception the smallest
steam yacht to cross the Atlantic. She will carry a crew of 15 men,
with Spafford H. Davis as captain.
“Port
Jefferson has become a famous winter headquarters for luxurious craft of
all kinds, and the fleet includes yachts ranging in size from a 40-foot
cutter to schooners and steamers 200 feet in length. With few
exceptions these boats are all commanded by captains who reside here and
draw handsome salaries throughout the year.
“At the
shipyard of James N. Bayles & sons the yachts are packed like sardines
in a box. This yard was established by James M. Bayles. The firm has
the reputation of building excellently modeled craft of staunch
seaworthiness. When commercial shipbuilding began to wane, the Bayles
yard turned their attention to the yacht trade and built several yachts
for New York men. These boats attracted the attention of yachtsmen, and
trade has steadily increased since then.
“A. L.
Barber, the millionaire, owns the largest yacht in the bay, the steamer
Sapphire. She looks like an ocean steamer, spreading her yards among
the smaller craft.
“Henry A.
Loughlin of Pittsburgh was here this week and after consulting his
captain, A. S. Hallock, ordered work begun on his trim steamer Vesta.
The steamer Magnolia, owned by Henry Belknap, is ready to launch from
Bayles’ yard where she has been coppered and lengthened about 14 feet by
a new overhanging stern.
“The famous
old racing sloop, Fanny, still owned by Thomas and Frederick Fisk, is
being made ready to go into commission. She looks as bright and trim as
in her palmist days. Another beautiful boat and famous racing craft is
the schooner Sachem, and sailed by Capt. C. J. Aldrich. She is being
made ready to sail and will clear the middle of the month. A new main
saloon finished in rich mahogany is one of the changes made on the
steamer Nirvana with George L. Tyson, owner.
“The large
black schooner which arrived last fall as the Norsemen will weigh anchor
and sail for Larchmont on Memorial day as the handsome schooner
Alsacienne. For many months past carpenters, riggers and painters have
been busy transforming the old into the new. S. C. Bragg, the owner,
has not spared expense in fitting up the new boat. The furnishings of
the main cabin are the best, and the upholstery is of gold plush and the
hangings of heraldic tapestry. Capt. Robert Dayton is now in command.
“The new
steamer Duquesne will arrive here soon, when Capt. Simeon H. Davis will
assume command. The new boat is 130 feet over all and carries a
complete electrical plant.