FotoFriday: SW – Mattapoisett Shipyard Park

I took this photo the other night. It’s of the windvane on the gazebo located on Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett.

From  the pamphlet “Shipbuilders of Mattapoisett” by Charles S. Mendell, Jr:

The present Shipyard Park ( Mattapoisett) was the site of the famous Holmes shipyard, started in 1812 by Josiah Holmes Sr. and continuing until the Bark Wanderer, built where the bandstand sits now, slid down the ways in 1878, the last vessel ever launched in Mattapoisett.

The first seven years of the 1850’s marked the peak of the whaleship building in Mattapoisett.  Only three yards were in operation – Wilson Barstow, Holmes, and Meigs – but in eight years these three yards launched 47 vessels.  These were the yards that carried Mattapoisett’s reputation far and wide, and brought forth such comments as these in in the New Bedford newspapers:

“This thriving town ranks high in shipbuilding and is distinguished for its naval architecture.” (W.S.L.6/20/1851)

Here’s a very short slide show of the life the Shipyard Park Gazebo gazebo.

Happy FotoFriday and Memorial Day Weekend!