december 2008 - Nahant, Massachusetts USA

NAHANT HARBOR REVIEW • DECEMBER 2008 • Page 19Humane SocietyStation No. 12 at Nahant, MassachusettsTHE LIFE-SAVING STATIONSfor the refuge ofShipwrecked MarinersFrom three in 1787, the number of these huts on theMassachusetts coast grew to seventeen in 1806. It was inthe following year, 1807, that the first life-boat in Americawas established by the Society at Cohasset, where itremained until 1813. Through all these years, and throughthose that followed, up to 1840, when the Society turnedmuch of its energies to the life-saving interest, we haveseen how its effort was devoted to such good ends as theBoston hospitals.From 1840 to 1871, when the United States establishedits Life- Saving Service, and thereby fixed the datewhich inevitably gave a signal for retrenchment in theSociety’s work of life-saving, that work may be said tohave passed through its golden age. The beginnings of itin 1840 were still matters of recent occurrence when theHistory (1845) was published. Not only in its quotation ofdocuments, but in its brief passages of narration, it is virtuallya contemporary record, and may be given here as such.After an allusion to the early life-boats of England, itproceeds: At different periods of our own Society, sincethat already referred to, measures have been adopted inreference to this object. Particularly at the meeting of theBoard in January, 1840, a committee was appointed tocarry it into execution. But the funds of the Society notadmitting of a large expenditure for this single, howeverdesirable, purpose, it was with high satisfaction that at themeeting of April, in the same year, the Trustees receivedan official communication of a Resolve, passed by theLegislature of the State, of which the following is a copy:“COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS “In the year one thousand eight hundred and forty.“Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of theTreasury of the Commonwealth, to the President andTrustees of the Massachusetts Humane Society, the sumof five thousand dollars, for the purpose of furnishing LifeBoats, to be stationed at the most exposed parts of theseacoast within this Commonwealth, and that a warrant bedrawn therefor.And that the said Society be requested to report tothe Governor and Council their expenditure of the fundsappropriated by this Resolve, together with the numberand stations of the boats.“House of Representatives, March, 21, 1840, Passed.“ROBERT C. WINTHROP, Speaker.“In the Senate, March 21, 1840, Approved,“DANIEL P. KING, President.“Reference to this object. Particularly at the meetingof the Board in January, 1840, a committee was appointedto carry it into execution. But the funds of the Society notadmitting of a large expenditure for this single, howeverdesirable, purpose, it was with high satisfaction that at themeeting of April, in the same year, the Trustees receivedan official communication of a Resolve, passed by theLegislature of the State, MARCUS MORTON.”Massachusetts Humane Society - Nahant Division - Given up in 1898.L to R: Standing, George Coles, Earl Dow, Herbert Coles, Arthur Robertson and JoDeveney. Seated: Elmer (?) Coles, Herbert Wilson, Saul Alley, Alfred Johnson andCharles Vary. The boat was housed on Curlew Beach. (Not a Nahant scene or photo.)With this liberal and effective aid, altogether worthy of an enlightened commonwealth,the Society was at once enabled to accomplish its desired purpose. And underthe superintendence of the President, B. Rich, Esq., and of the late lamented HenryOxnard, eleven boats, together with one provided from the Society’s own fund werecompleted, and an official Report, of which the following is a copy, was at the ensuingsession of the Legislature, agreeably to the terms of the Resolve, presented to the Governorand Council.“Boston, Jan. 4, 1841.“To his Excellency John Davis, and to the Honorable Council:“The Trustees of the Humane Society of Massachusetts beg leave to present to yourExcellency, and to the Honorable Council, the following Report, as submitted to theirown body by a committee chosen from themselves to carry into effect the above- mentionedResolve.“The committee, in addition to a Life Boat provided by the Humane Society, havebuilt eleven, which are stationed in the following places :One boat at Nantucket, one at Martha’s Vineyard, three at Cape Cod, which arearranged by John Atkins, Esq., with the approbation of the Selectmen; one at ohasset,one at Nantasket Beach, one at Lynn, one at Gloucester, one at Sandy Bay, one at PlumbIsland, under the care of the Humane Society at Newburyport; with one on ScituateBeach, which will be paid for by the Massachusetts Humane Society.“Take a moment over this Holiday Season to share and record pastNahant memories with your family. Then, feel free to share themwith us. Happy Holiday!” — BumperSOURCE: All text and photos provided by theNahant Historical Society.If you have something you would like to share, or an ideafor this page, please email the author, Bumper Gooding, ath.gooding2008@gmail.com