Above, Autumn anemones fade in the Briney Bank Border. Top right, the crew of the S.S. Tasco.
Librarian of NL Maritime Society's Frank L. McGuire Maritime Research Library, Laurie Deredita, has curated an intriguing new online exhibition.
In the early years of the 20th century, the waters of Long Island Sound and New London harbor bustled with commercial activity. Although by that time the vessels were mostly steam-driven, there still were many wooden schooners with sails plying the waters. There were also many accidents and shipwrecks that required the services of salvage vessels.
This digital exhibition is about the S.S. Tasco, a salvage vessel belonging to the T.A. Scott Company, which operated out of New London from 1908 to 1914, and the jobs that took her from the Bay of Fundy to Key West Florida. The exhibition includes photographs from an album given to the New London Maritime Society in 2001 by David A. Allen of Groton, Connecticut. It is the latest addition to the growing list of online exhibitions, formed with photographs, documents and other objects in the collections belonging to the Custom House, on the McGuire Library Homepage.
Click on this link to view the S.S. Tasco exhibition.
Click here to see all online exhibitions.
By the way: NLMS is back and fully- insured on all four properties.
Below, In this photograph, the Tasco is towing a steamer with a broken shaft to Greenport, Long Island. The top decks are crowded with passengers.
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The Custom House Maritime Museum currently is closed for tours.
We plan to reopen the museum on a regular schedule for members only once New London is out of the Covid red zone.
Our terrific MUSEUM SHOP is now open by appointment. Members always receive a 10% discount.
We appreciate those of you who have responded -- thanks!
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What's Up at the Custom House - October 25, 2020 |
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New London Maritime Society - local friendly authentic
Telling the stories of New London's waterfront
& preserving four historic maritime sites
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New London Maritime Society thanks our Friends & Sponsors |
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Anonymous, John Steffian, Jr., The Maco Family Fund, DOCKO, the state of Connecticut, CtHumanties, USLHS, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Chelsea Groton Bank, the City of New London , IMLS, United Rentals, & CDBG
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Brent and Becky's Bulbs supports non-profits by donating 25% of one's flower bulb purchase to groups like the New London Maritime Society.
Our exuberant Japanese Anemones var. Honorine Jobert, from Brent & Becky's Bulbs, were planted just last year, in May 2019.
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Visit inside New London Harbor Lighthouse.
We meet at the lighthouse, then climb 116 steps to the lantern room -- all the while learning about the 260-year history of Harbor Light, one of the oldest lighthouses in the country, and the tallest on Long Island Sound. The views at the top are spectacular! photo: Christina Corcoran.
The visit takes around 45 minutes. Everyone uses hand sanitizer and we all wear masks.
Suggested donations are $35 for adults, $30 for NLMS members, & $25 for youth 7-to 18 years old.
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Your gift to us will be matched through November 25, 2020.
Charter Oak Credit Union is committed to giving back to charitable entities that are meaningful to its members.
It’s simple – they give back because it is part of the foundation from which credit unions were built on…people helping people – and they’re proud to offer our members the opportunity to maximize their charitable donations through our 1:1 Matching Gifts Program. Here's how to give.
Pfizer, too, is matching donations of retirees through 2020. Please consider NLMS for your charitable donation.
Your gifts will make a difference. Our liability insurance just increased 300%...
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The holiday season commences.
HAPPY
HALLOWEEN!
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Cyanotypes, or shadowgraphs, as they were first known is a process that has remained virtually unchanged since its invention in 1842 by the astronomer and scientist Sir John Herschel. Remarkably Herschel invented this process as a way to copy his notes, making ‘blueprints’ as they are still called today. |
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Why not have a go at making your own cyanotypes with our Sunprint Kits. The autumn and winter sun is perfect for creating these as slightly overcast days or the paler sun often gives better results. |
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Below, Don't forget our VOTE soap!
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The MUSEUM SHOP is now open by appointment. Or, if you happen to be downtown, call 860-447-2501 to check if we're open. This week, the SHOP will be open Monday, Thursday & Friday morning.
We have hand beaded bracelets from Kenya. Bracelets spell: TE AMO, PEACE, PRIDE, VOTE, LOVE. Ubuntu creates beautiful products for sale in Kenya and internationally, providing Maasi mothers of children with special needs and others in their community with sustainable employment and health insurance.
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Facebook the Custom House MUSEUM SHOP for gifts with an extra feel good factor -- when you shop with us your purchases support our exhibitions, & educational programs.
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Below, from the online Tasco exhibition
The diver: Jacob A. Pahlberg
A diver getting ready to go down. Possibly Jacob Pahlberg
Since most shipwrecks involve damage below the water line, one of the most important members of any marine salvage team is the diver. Among the Tasco photographs are several of an unidentified diver at work or getting ready to go down, wearing the elaborate helmeted diving suit that was worn in the early 20th century. The diver who worked on many of the Tasco salvage operations was the remarkable Jacob Alfred Pahlberg, considered by many to be "the dean of all deep-sea divers in this country" and who once set a record for the longest time under water. Pahlberg was born in Sweden in 1847 and came to the United States as a seaman. He began his 56-year diving career in 1872 with Captain Thomas Scott and and moved to New London where he worked on the Race Rock project. Pahlberg died at the age of 84 in New London where he had made his home for many years with his wife and three children at 30 Spring Street. He is buried in Jordan Cemetery in Waterford. His obituary appeared in The New York Times on March 23, 1932.
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150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320 | 860-447-2501
The Custom House Maritime Museum is closed until further notice | 860-447-2501
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