Pilot Boat

pilot boat Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook

A harbor pilot is a person who takes control of a seagoing ship when it is entering or leaving port. He is expertly familiar with all the channels, shoals, currents, tides, and regulations of his particular port, and is essential to safely steer the ships in and out. It is an ancient and exclusive profession, often passed down from father to son*. In old days, the top two signal flags at right were used by ships entering and exiting a harbor to call for a pilot, while the bottom flag indicated "pilot on board."

A pilot boat transports the harbor pilots to and from their charges. If you go out to the vicinity of the Ambrose Tower, you will probably see the Sandy Hook's modern descendants.

pilot boat New York
The modern-day pilot boat New York. Number 2 New Jersey is similar.
Nineteenth-century Pilot Boat 15
Nineteenth-century Pilot Boat "15"

* there are very few female pilots, even today.


Shipwreck Glen Island
Type:
shipwreck, steamer, USA
Built:
1880, USA, as City of Richmond
Specs:
( 239 x 36 ft ) 615 gross tons, 31 passengers & crew
Sunk:
Saturday December 17, 1904
fire - 9 casualties
Depth:
15 ft

outline of wooden hull, paddlewheel

Printed from njscuba.net