Francis Perkins (pilot boat)
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 New York pilot boat Francis Perkins, No. 13 by Antonio Jacobsen. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Francis Perkins |
| Namesake | Francis Perkins, secretary of the Pilot Commissioners |
| Owner | New York Pilots' Association |
| Operator | Captain T. Aitken, and Vinner |
| Builder | Henry Steers |
| Cost | $20,000 |
| Launched | October 7, 1866 |
| Out of service | January 24, 1887 |
| Stricken | Aries steamship |
| Fate | Sank |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | schooner |
| Tonnage | 50-tons TM |
| Length | 78 ft 5 in (23.90 m) |
| Beam | 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) |
| Depth | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
Francis Perkins, No. 13 was a 19th-century Sandy Hook pilot boat, built by Henry Steers in 1866 for a group of New York Pilots. She was considered one of the finest boats ever built. During a snow storm in 1887, the Perkins struck the steamship Aries and sank near the Barnegat shoals.
New York pilot-boat Francis Perkins, No. 13 was built by Henry Steers in 1866 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The boat number "13" was painted as a large number on her mainsail, that identified the boat as belonging to the Sandy Hook Pilots. She went on her first trial trip on October 7, 1866, with a large party of guests on board. She was named after Francis Perkins, the secretary of the New York Commissioners of Pilots. Her cost is $20,00.[1]
The Francis Perkins was registered with the Record of American and Foreign Shipping from 1871 to 1887, with the New York Pilots' Association as owners. She was 78.5 in length, 20.5 in breadth of beam, 8.6 in depth of hold, 52-tons and built in 1866 with T. Aitken, and Vinner as Masters.[2] She was considered one of the finest pilot boats ever built.[3]
In 1873, near Nantucket Lightship, the Francis Perkins came across an abandoned brig. The pilots of the Perkins boarded her and towed her safely into port.[4]
