The HMS Sylph with the HMS Maidstone close behind by B. J. Phillips
The H.M.S. Sylph was constructed in Bermuda in 1812, but was not the first ship to have the name Sylph. Although rated an '18' (based on the number of cannons aboard a traditional sloop-of-war) she was actually armed with sixteen 24-pounder carronades, two long 12-pounders and two 12-pound carronades.
During the months of June and July 1814 the Sylph was extensively active in the interruption of commerce and the capture or destruction of merchant vessels on Long Island Sound. On May 11th the Sylph captured the merchant sloop Grace and took her cargo of iron and dismantled her for fuel. On the 18th the Sylph along with the Frigate H.M.S. Maidstone fired upon a Swedish vessel prior to joining the remainder of the British squadron in blockading the Sound. The blockade, in addition to the Sylph and Maidstone, included the H.M.S. Bulwark and Nimrod. On May 25th the Sylph and Maidstone were engaged in a battle with about a dozen small gunboats under the command of Commodore Lewis. After a three hour battle the American gunboats succeeded in their task of allowing a large contingent of small merchant packets and coasters to pass unmolested past the British warships. At the conclusion of the battle two 74 gun British ships arrived on site and the American forces retreated towards Guilford. The Sylph continued throughout June to make trouble on the Sound. She joined the Maidstone and Belvidera, another frigate, along with the La Hogue, one of the 74 gun ships that had arrived in the Sound in attacking more and more vessels.
In early June the Sloop Nancy was located along near Northville, Long Island when the British arrived, attempting to land marines to destroy the vessel. They were beaten off by the local militia under Capt. John Terry who shot at the marines from the bluffs. Soon after the Sylph arrived and bombarded the cliffs with cannon fire. She was joined by another ship, likely the Maidstone, and together they attempted to drive off the American militia and take the ship, but in the end were unable to capture the Nancy.
The HMS Sylph from a Model—Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England
On June 23, 1814 an early submarine, called the "torpedoe boat" was forced ashore near Horton Point, Southold after her line was cut in an effort to save a man who went overboard. The boat arrived on shore and over the course of the next few days her crew tried to get her off the beach. In the meantime, word was received by the Sylph and Maidstone of the boats arrival and they set course for her. On Sunday, June 26th, 1814 the Sylph and Maidstone arrived off of Horton Point and launched several small barges (or skiffs) with armed men intent on destroying the "torpedoe boat." Several members of the Sag Harbor militia who were present fired upon the British, who took at least four men either killed or wounded. The militia was forced to retreat and the British succeeded in landing on the Beach and burning the "torpedoe boat." The boat was one of the earliest forms of submarine to be engaged in naval battles.
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COLONIAL GARDEN
New Take on Southold Historical Museum Herb Garden
Tradition and technology mix in the reinvigorated herb garden at Southold Historical Museum’s Maple Lane Complex. Visitors will now have an opportunity to explore the Colonial Herb Garden using QR codes. The codes link to “my plant’s story” - information about how the herbs were used.
The Kitchen Garden was a mainstay for Colonial families in Southold. In it, women grew the vegetables and herbs used on a daily basis for their families. The Colonial Herb Garden, set behind the 1700s Thomas Moore House at Southold Historical Museum is now interactive! Go to the garden site and see the labels with the QR Codes you can scan for historical and other information on each plant.
Click the button below to the information for each plant while at home.
The interactive feature has been the result of the work of two master gardeners, Carol Brown and Cara Cunneen. When the time came for each of them to select a project for the Master Gardener certification, they picked the herb garden on Southold Historical Museum’s Maple Lane Complex. This was a fitting choice as Carol Brown has been a member of the Southold Garden Club, which has been maintaining this garden for many years. In fact, the garden has always been the love of volunteers from the community. The idea for a colonial herb garden originally came from late museum volunteer and garden club member, Clara Bjerknes.
Museum Director, Deanna Witte-Walker states, “We are excited for visitors to discover this new feature in the Colonial Herb Garden. The QR codes offer depth and breadth while also making the experience fun for all ages. We are truly grateful to be the recipients of Carol and Cara’s project.”
Master Gardener Carol Brown explains, “Through the QR codes on the plant labels, visitors can learn more about the what and why of the important plants in the Colonial kitchen garden. It gives them permission to pause and have a cognitive and sensory experience with the garden.”
Suffolk Cornell Cooperative Extension offers an intensive and robust Master Gardener Volunteer program each year. They welcome both experienced and novice gardeners to the program who are trained in many aspects of gardening from the biology of plants to insect management.
Funding for the QR codes was provided by David and Liz Shanks in memory of Nettie Shanks who was a master gardener herself and did a lot of work at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Southold Historical Museum’s Maple Lane Complex is located at 55200 Main Rd., Southold, NY. During the season, July to Mid-September, the buildings are open Saturday and Sundays from 1-4pm. The grounds themselves are self-guided.
For more information on any other museum programs, please call 631.765.5500.