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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PRINCE BUILDING
The Henry W. Prince Dry Goods Store
The Prince Building was built in 1874 for Henry Wells Prince (1839-1925) and G. Frank Hommel. Hommel occupied the west side of the building, where he ran a shoe store. Prince occupied the east, where he ran a successful dry goods business. The building was twice home to the United States Post Office - first in 1893 and again from 1932 through the 1950s.
The building contains approximately 29,475 bricks manufactured by the Brenan and Graham brick companies. Construction began October 26, 1874 and was concluded on or about February 2, 1875. Those who helped construct the building included Thomas Quarty, D. Glover, and S. A. Prince (Carpenters); T. Donahue, Harrison Reeve, John Whitney, T. Topping, J. Cogan, Joe Sidor, O. Corwin, and a Horton and a Terry (Masons and Laborers).
Today, the Prince Building is home to the Maureen Ostermann Administrative Center, Archives, Museum Gift Shop, and the Treasure Exchange shop.
By the late 19th century, Prince had bought out Mr. Hommel and taken over the entire establishment for his business activities. The basement, at that time, housed a popular Oyster Bar and candy store, which was entered through a door cut into the basement on the front of the building. In February of 1881, the Southold Grange voted to accept the offer of space on the second floor of the building. The International Order of Odd Fellows also used this space. In June of 1890, a large opening was cut through the center wall dividing the two rooms on the second floor.
The building housed a number of stores following Prince and Hommel, and the second floor was converted into apartments after 1940. Though the correct order and time spans are not known, these businesses included: W. A. Williams Clothing Store; Fred Fickeissen's Grocery Store; Chris Grattan's Butcher Shop; Rothman's Department Store; Smitty's Fruit & Vegetable Storerooms; Jimmy's Restaurant (1950s); a Television and Radio Store; Lambert's Clothing Store; and Gossner's (printing/stationary).
The Prince Building's east side roof and upper portion of the front wall gave way during Hurricane Carol in August of 1954.
The building was badly damaged in August of 1954 during hurricane Carol when the east side roof and upper portion of the front wall gave way (see above). The original round attic story window was never restored, and instead a demi-lune window was placed in that position. At that time, the U.S. Post Office occupied the west side and a restaurant occupied the east side.
By 1989 the building was in a bit of disrepair, the remaining portion of the original porch having been removed after 1954. The museum purchased the building that year from Arthur and Millicent Gossner and began an aggressive restoration and rehabilitation effort. Today, the building is fully restored and houses the Maureen Ostermann Administrative Center, Archives, Museum Gift Shop, and the Treasure Exchange Shop.