Lithograph from the USS Constitution Museum, showing the “Wasp” in battle
As early as 1730 Samuel Moggridge owned a shipyard between the foot of Forrester and Butler Streets, Mr. Moggridge and his sons built ships for nearly one hundred years.
Three brothers Orlando B. Merrill, Jonathan Merrill, and Nathan Merrill bought part of the Moggridge shipyard in the late 1700s. In 1794 Orlando B. Merrill invented the “water-line” model, which revolutionized the science of shipbuilding, showing the form and shape of the boat and helped shipbuilders to build more accurate vessels. The original model designed by Orlando Merrill was presented to the New York Historical Society in 1853.
The Merrill family built over sixty vessels at the Moggridge shipyard. In 1798 when American shipping was threatened by foreign privateers during the war between France and Britain, Merrill and his brothers Johnathan and Nathan were contracted to build a naval vessel. Ninety days from the contract date the U. S. Brig “Pickering” was completed and launched from Merrill’s yard in what was then a part of Newbury, now Newburyport.
In 1813 Orlando Merrill with Ralph Cross built the fourteen gun U. S. Sloop of War “Wasp” in the Merrill shipyard. The vessel was launched on September 18, 1813.
Ghlee Woodworth, the Clipper Heritage Trail http://www.clipperheritagetrail.com/tour_alongwatersedge.php
The Newburyport Historic Property Surveys
Donald McKay and His Famous Sailing Ships, by Richard C. McKay
Check Out The Interactive History Map
More information about Newburyport and its history can be found on the interactive history map, “Newburyport – Keeping the Story Alive.”
Solve The Moggridge and Merrill Shipyard Puzzle
Press the icon to play the puzzle on a full screen or tap here to expand the image.