Between 1885 and 1903,
18 steamships were broken up at Nut Island in Houghs Neck. An old practice, in
the late 1800’s shipbreaking involved breaking up wooden ships in order to
recycle the metal used in their construction. The superstructure of the ship
would be dismantled and what was left of the ship would be burned. In Houghs
Neck many of these parts were recycled into cottages. Even today homeowners
find tongue-in-groove sheathing and large timbers from these ships incorporated
into their homes. Come to the Thomas Crane Library (40 Washington Street,
Quincy) on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m. and learn about the ships, the
shipbreaking process and see photos of some of the cottages made from parts of
these ships.
Local historians Patti Williams and Peter Sault, who presented the blockbuster "Hotels of Houghs Neck" program are presenting original research; hear it here first!
Patti and Peter will
lead a guided walk of Nut Island on Saturday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. (Rain date:
Sunday, June 8, 1 p.m.). It will start from the Houghs Neck Public Landing
parking lot (take Sea Street east, turn right on Bayview Avenue just beyond
Louis and then into the parking lot on the left.) For more information and rain
date rescheduling of walk, please call 617-472-0799.
Source: patriot ledger.
2 June 2014
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