AH-WR-0910

Enchantress

Pilot Schooner · United States · Lost March 1888, during the Great Blizzard of 1888; formally removed from service March 13, 1888. · New York Harbor

One of New York's oldest Sandy Hook pilot schooners went down with all hands during the Great Blizzard of 1888.

Become Captain of Record

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Historically Reconstructed. Drawn from partial documentation of this vessel together with her known class and configuration. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

Enchantress was launched in 1851 for pilot John Maginn and became one of the longest-serving Sandy Hook pilot boats, reportedly a favorite of shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. In March 1888, during the Great Blizzard that paralyzed the Northeast, she was lost at sea with her entire crew while on pilot station duty off New York Harbor. The pilot boat James Stafford was built to replace her.

Vessel

Built: 1851
Registry: Pilot boat No. 18
Builder: Westervelt & McKay
Yard: New York City, New York
Material: Wood
Length: 59 ft
Beam: 17 ft
Tonnage: 31
Propulsion: Sail, schooner-rigged
Owners: New York Pilots (built by John Maginn)

Loss

Date: March 1888, during the Great Blizzard of 1888; formally removed from service March 13, 1888.
Cause: Storm
Location: New York Harbor approaches
Water: New York Harbor
Voyage: Not established
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: All hands were lost; the exact number of crew aboard is not established in the sources reviewed.
Master: Not established