It may be difficult to imagine the Town of Pelham as a major shipbuilding center, but that is exactly what it was during the latter half of the nineteenth century until the annexation of City Island by New York City. When one thinks about it, there should be little surprise. By 1850, City Island, then part of the Town of Pelham, already was a maritime center. It was a major oystering, clamming, and fishing community. The island had an extensive waterfront, deep waters immediately off some parts of its shores, and a well-protected harbor. It sat along a major shipping lane between New England and New York City -- a shipping lane that became even busier once many of the rock outcroppings near Hell Gate were blasted away. In short, it was an ideal location for shipyards.
A man named David Carll was among those who first took advantage of the natural assets of City Island to make his living as a master shipbuilder in the Town of Pelham. Carll, a son of Jesse E. Carll and Susan Scudder Carll, was born in Northport, Long Island, New York on October 9, 1830. David Carll had at least two brothers: Jesse and Henry Carll.
Some have asserted that David Carll's Shipyard was the first shipyard (or the first "commercial" shipyard) built on City Island. The shipyard itself may have been the first, but David Carll was not its first owner.
The Beginnings the Pilot Avenue Shipyard on City Island in the Town of Pelham
During the mid-1850s, George Washington Horton was an important City Island resident, nearing the end of his life. The Horton family owned a swath of the island including a tract at the foot of the eastern end of what is known today as "Pilot Street." Horton was a maritime entrepreneur, of sorts, involved in a host of money-making ventures on the island.
In 1856, Horton or members of his family apparently sensed an entrepreneurial opportunity to repair and service the many local sloops, skiffs, ships, boats, and all manner of local vessels that frequented the island not far from the notoriously-treacherous rocks of Hell Gate. They arranged for a New Rochelle man named Underhill, under the supervision of George Washington Horton, Jr., to construct and oversee a short marine railway at the east foot of what was known then as Pilot Avenue (today's Pilot Street). Typically, at the time, a "marine railway" was a railway with a rolling cradle for hauling ships out of water onto land and returning them into the water.
The marine railway was intended to permit short-hauling, servicing, and maintenance of local water craft -- or vessels from elsewhere that suffered distress locally. Underhill, however, seems to have operated this early shipyard (or simple marine railway) for only a brief time since a man named Samuel Hart replaced Underhill within a short time. Significantly, it now seems, Samuel Hart was from Northport, Long Island, New York.
According to City Island shipyard specialist Tom Nye of UK Sailmakers LLC at 175 City Island Avenue in City Island, Bronx, New York:
"Hart at that time operated a shipyard in the Northport area and was in the middle of a lease dispute with the town of Huntington and during the long litigation found the opportunity to take over the railway at City Island. Sam Hart along with another Northport shipbuilder James Ketcham ran a small business advertising for the repairing, painting, cleaning, caulking, and building of vessels of a limited size on their railway."
Source: Nye, Tom, Subject Re: RONDEL PAINTING: City Island, email from Tom Nye to Jorge Santiago, Oct. 23, 2013, 9:48:37 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time (copy in files of the author).
Thereafter, Samuel Hart (according to an account published in 1900) began to do a "large business in repairing vessels injured by striking the rocks in Hell Gate or getting ashore around Hart's Island."
At about this time, or at least by 1859, David Carll and his brother, Jesse, were operating a shipyard in Northport. (According to a letter written by David Carll in 1875, he began working as a shipbuilder in 1854, although it is not yet known by this author if he began his work at that time with his brother in Northport.) Be it sibling rivalry, business differences or something else, in 1859 David Carll decided to leave the shipyard in Northport and explore an opportunity with two friends on City Island: Samuel Hart and Northport shipbuilder James Ketcham who were operating the marine railway and tiny shipyard at the foot of Pilot Avenue. Id.
That year, David Carll built the 37-foot sloop Bell for James Sackett using the Pilot Street railway on City Island. Shortly afterward, Carll bought the business and established David Carll's Shipyard. Id. David Carll remained partners with his brother, Jesse, in the Northport shipyard venture until the pair settled on a buyout of David's interest in 1865. Id.
David Carll apparently continued to live on Long Island for a time. Indeed, the 1860 U.S. Census shows 29-year-old David Carll living in Huntington, Long Island, New York with his 25-year-old wife, Hannah. (Hannah's full maiden name was Hannah Amelia Denton.) Additionally, as late as 1864, David Carll is recorded as serving as one of the Elders of the Second Presbyterian Church of Huntington. See The Corner Stone of the Second Presbyterian Church, Long Islander [Huntington, NY], May 11, 1889, Vol. LII, No. 41, p. 2, col. 3.
Detail from 1868 Beer's Map of City Island and the
Township of Pelham Showing Location of David Carll's
Shipyard at East End of "PILOT AVE" Near Grace Church.
Co., N.Y." in Atlas of New York and Vicinity from Actual
Surveys by and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted
by A. B. Prindle & Others, p. 35 (NY, NY: F. W. Beers, et
al., 1868). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
David Carll's Shipyard Becomes Successful
In 1861, David Carll purchased the shipyard and surrounding land. According to one account:
"Carll, first went into possession about 1861, of a small portion of the upland bordering upon the shore a distance of one hundred feet, which was used for a ship yard, and had two structures in connection with it called marine railways, each ten or twelve feet wide, extending into the water about two hundred feet, partly above and partly below high-water mark, and capable of hauling up a vessel of one hundred and fifty tons. In 1863, Carll procured through the commissioners of the land office a patent for two and 35/100 acres of land under water, upon which the marine railway had been erected, and in 1865 built a wharf thirty by one hundred feet, at the foot of a street."
Source: De Lancey v. Piepgras, 138 N.Y. 26 (N.Y. 1893).
During the early 1860s, David Carll worked hard to expand his newly-acquired shipyard. As suggested above, unaware of a previous grant of land underwater at the site of his shipyard, David Carll obtained from New York's State Commissioners of the Land Office a grant for 442 feet of land under water on his water front. The grant gave him the comfort necessary to expand the shipyard, although eventually the grant became the subject of a major lawsuit against Henry Piepgras (after he acquired the shipyard from David Carll in about 1885). To learn more about this fascinating lawsuit after David Carll's death in 1888, see:
Mon., Nov. 27, 2006: The 19th Century Ejectment of Henry Piepgras from Land Beneath the Waters Surrounding City Island.
Mon., Sep. 07, 2009: More on the Ejectment of Henry Piepgras from Land Beneath the Waters Surrounding City Island.
IMPORTANT CASE DECIDED -- A Decision in the City Island Case Favorable to the Defendants -- COURT OF APPEALS DISMISSES IT, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jan. 27, 1894, Vol. XXXIIII, No. 43, p. 1, col. 3. See also De Lancey v. Piepgras, 141 N.Y. 88 (N.Y. 1894).
It seems that it was not until the mid-1860s that David Carll's shipyard began to ramp up its work. Additionally, at about this time Carll became involved in a transaction that seems to have propelled the success of his business. It also became an important part of the history and lore of City Island.
In October, 1867, Carll was the winning bidder for the purchase of the decommissioned United States receiving ship North Carolina. According to one of his many obituaries, "From the wood and timbers of that ship, from the live oak timbers in the old hulk he laid the foundation of the large fortune which he afterward amassed." From the wood and timbers, he reportedly later "built the schooner yacht Resolute for Mr. A. S. Hatch and the Atalanta for Mr. William Astor." Most importantly for City Island and the Town of Pelham, however, timbers from the North Carolina also were used to build the island's first bridge to the mainland. That bridge was completed and opened in 1873.
"CITY ISLAND BRIDGE" Which Opened in 1868 Built,
in Part, of Wood From the North Carolina. Source:
RIBS OF A BATTLE-SHIP, The World [The Evening
World, NY, NY], Aug. 23, 1892, Last Edition, p. 2, cols. 7-8.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"ON THE BRIDGE LOOKING TOWARDS PELHAM PARK."
The City Island Bridge, Which Opened in 1868, Was Built,
in Part, of Wood From the North Carolina. Source:
RIBS OF A BATTLE-SHIP, The World [The Evening
World, NY, NY], Aug. 23, 1892, Last Edition, p. 2, cols. 7-8.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
In 1869, the David Carll Shipyard received an important and interesting job involving the creation of a schoolship for the use of boys housed on Hart Island. The Commissioners of Charities and Correction purchased a two-decker, three-masted ship named the Mercury to be used as a schoolship to teach boys sent to the island the arts of navigation and sailing in the hopes of "making them useful members of society." The schoolship was "completed and fitted up by Mr. David Carll at City Island." The ship was 1,156 tons new measurement. According to one account:
"The bottom part is for goods and lumber, while the second deck is devoted to stores, a galley, and other conveniences. Here is also a large engine, used for cooking by steam and heating the ship through steampipes. In fact, nothing is wanting to the comfort of the thorough inspection of the vessel".
Source: THE COMMISSIONERS OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION AND THEIR NEW SCHOOLSHIP, New-York Tribune, Sep. 30, 1869, p. 8, col. 3.
David Carll was becoming a successful and affluent City Island shipbuilder. Although records of the ships he built are scant, a number of such ships have been identified including, among others:
Ship
Name
|
Initial
Owner
|
Ship
Type
|
Length
|
Delivery
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bell
|
James
Sackett
|
Sloop
|
37
|
1859
|
Ellen
Francis
|
Stephen D.
Barnes
|
Oyster
Sloop
|
65
|
1864
|
Maria
|
H.
Pasco
|
Schooner
|
81
|
1864
|
M. W.
Griffin
|
F. W.
Ayer
|
Schooner
|
110
|
1865
|
Vesta
|
Pierre
Lorillard
|
Schooner
|
123
|
1866
|
Magic
|
|
Schooner
|
76
|
1870
|
Resolute
|
A. S.
Hatch
|
Schooner
|
114
|
1871
|
Potosi
|
Brugiere & Thebaud
|
Schooner
|
142
|
1871
|
John B. Hegeman
|
John B. Hegeman
|
Oyster
Schooner
|
62
|
1872
|
Wm. H. Van
Name
|
Van Name
Bros.
|
Oyster
Schooner
|
105
|
1872
|
John K.
Shaw
|
A. S.
Hatch
|
Schooner
|
158
|
1872
|
Ida
Palmer
|
|
Schooner
|
100
|
1873
|
Atalanta
|
William B.
Astor
|
Yacht
|
100
|
1873
|
Reindeer
|
W. N.
Howard
|
Schooner
|
107
|
1873
|
|
|
Sloop
|
44
|
1873
|
William
Douglas
|
William
Douglas
|
Schooner
|
110
|
1874
|
Vineyard
Sound
|
U.S. Coast
Guard
|
Light
Vessel
|
387
|
1875
|
Stephen D.
Barnes
|
Stephen D.
Barnes
|
Oyster
Schooner
|
97
|
1875
|
David Carll
|
Van Name
Bros.
|
Oyster
Schooner
|
103
|
1876
|
Adelaide J.
Alcott
|
Charles
Alcott
|
Schooner
|
165
|
1876
|
Ambassadress
|
William B.
Astor
|
Schooner
|
146
|
1877
|
Robert H. Felter
|
|
Schooner
|
72
|
1877
|
William H.
Bailey
|
George
Bailey
|
Schooner
|
165
|
1878
|
Marion L.
Curtis
|
|
Schooner
|
53
|
1879
|
Mary G.
Beattie
|
J.
Beattie
|
Oyster
Schooner
|
79
|
1880
|
Seven
Brothers
|
Duryea Starch
Co.
|
Schooner
|
85
|
1880
|
Samuel S.
Thorp
|
George
Bailey
|
Schooner
|
170
|
1881
|
Phebe
|
Frank Burrett
|
Sloop
|
44
|
1882
|
Ruth
|
Edward P.
Coe
|
Sloop
|
40
|
1882
|
Abenwill
|
|
Passenger
|
35
|
1882
|
Anna B.
Hutchinson
|
D. Zeuluff
|
Schooner
|
134
|
1883
|
Mollie J.
Saunders
|
G. H.
Wilson
|
Schooner
|
167
|
1883
|
Sue
Williams
|
J. A.
Curtis
|
Schooner
|
183
|
1883
|
|
M.
Ritch
|
Steamer
|
75
|
1884
|
Nirvana
|
E.
Brown
|
Schooner
|
82
|
1884
|
Emma C.
Titus
|
|
Schooner
|
74
|
1885
|
David Carll
|
Sandy Hook
Pilots
|
Schooner
|
88
|
1885
|
Source: "Robert Jacob Shipyard, City Island NY - David Carll Shipyard and Piepgras & Company, Later Consolidated Shipbuilding" in Colton, Tim, Shipbuilding History - Construction Records of U.S. and Canadian Shipbuilders and Boatbuilders (visited Nov. 8, 2015).
It seems that in about 1871 and 1872, David Carll's business began to take off with an increasing number of shipbuilding commissions. This may have been due, at least in part, to Carll's construction of a schooner known as the Potosi in 1871. The Potosi was a three-masted schooner built for Brugiere & Thebaud which was engaged in the Mexican trade and operated the Vera Cruz Packet Line. The Potosi operated on that line and made the quickest passage on record between New York and Vera Cruz, helping to seal Carll's reputation as a master shipbuilder.
Due to the lovely work of painter Frederick Rondel, we know what the marine railway area of David Carll's shipyard looked like in 1872 at about the time his business began to take off.
"View of City Island" by Frederick Rondel, 1872.
Oil on Canvas Painting, 20.25 inches x 30 inches.
This Painting Depicts the Marine Railway at David
Carll's Shipyard in 1872. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
The beautiful painting by Frederick Rondel depicted in the image immediately above tells quite a story of David Carll's Shipyard as it operated in 1872 just as Carll's reputation and business began to soar. Tom Nye of UK Sailmakers LLC on City Island sums it up thusly:
"This is a great image as it tells a story of how the railway worked and looked early on. The dirt circle indicates the path around the capstan with a boom that either horses, mules, oxen, or men would haul in and up the railway a vessel to be serviced. . . . in this case it would appear to be an Oyster Sloop.
Note- ~ The two horses most likely used to power the capstan for hauling
~ Several men around a fire
~ Several vessels moored just offshore, and others sailing up and down the Sound in the distance. The tops of masts with sails can be seen over the southern end of Hart Island, indicating typical traffic on the Sound.
~ To the left are some pilings or upright masts with an A frame and ladder. This was most likely a set up for a "Gin Pole", used to hoist and lower articles on and off the hauled vessels. While the capstans were later steam engine, gas engine, and later still electric motor powered the methods used here were used for close to another century (1950's) before Travel lifts, hydraulic lifts and cars, and cranes were used."
Source: Nye, Tom, Subject Re: RONDEL PAINTING: City Island, email from Tom Nye to Jorge Santiago, Oct. 23, 2013, 9:48:37 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time (copy in files of the author).
During the 1870s, David Carll built a yacht (the Atalanta, 1873) and a schooner (the Ambassadress, 1877) for William Backhouse Astor, Jr., a yachtsman, businessman, and racehorse breeder. At the time, Astor was the patriarch of the male line of American Astors. Such notable shipbuilding commissions clearly helped Carll's business and, again, increased both his influence and affluence.
"Schooner Yacht Atalanta," an Undated Oil on Canvas by
James Edward Buttersworth (1817-1894), 12 Inches
by 16 Inches. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"Mr. William Astor's Schooner 'Ambassadress' in New York
Harbor with Castle William and Castle Garden Off Governor's
Island." Oil on Canvas by James Edward Buttersworth.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
The Ambassadress, according to one prominent account published in a major New York City newspaper, was a yacht considered to be "THE FINEST IN THE WORLD" and "A Floating Palace that will cost a Quarter of a Million." See THE FINEST IN THE WORLD -- FULL DESCRIPTION OF MR. WILLIAM ASTOR'S NEW YACHT -- A Floating Palace that will Cost a Quarter of a Million -- The Largest and Strongest of the Yachts -- A Boat for Winter and Racing, The Sun [NY, NY], Jul. 20, 1877, p. 3, col. 3. The amount of $250,000.00 in 1877 would be approximately the equivalent of $8,240,000.00 in today's dollars Indeed, should there be any doubt that commissions such as Astor's raised David Carll's profile as a master builder, one need only read an account of the launch of the Ambassadress from David Carll's shipyard on September 22, 1877. According to that account, "about a thousand spectators" from New York City and "all parts of Westchester County" viewed the launch. Additionally, according to the same account, "In the offing the Atalanta, and many other vessels, were lying, gaily dressed off with bunting, in honor of the occasion." See SPORTS ON THE WATER -- THE AMBASSADRESS -- MR. WILLIAM ASTOR'S NEW SCHOONER YACHT SUCCESSFULLY FLOATED -- A DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL, ETC., The Spirit of the Times, Sep. 29, 1877, p. 232, col. 1 (full article quoted below with a fascinating account of how the massiver "Schooner Yacht" was launched).
David Carll understood that shipbuilding projects such as the construction of the Atalanta and the Ambassadress placed him in the spotlight and, sometimes, squarely in the crosshairs. In 1875, when the Atalanta was criticized by a New York City newspaper as a "slow vessel," Carll penned a response to the criticism that bristled with indignation and demonstrated the pride he took in the construction of his vessels. (The entire letter to the editor of the New York Herald dated October 6, 1875 is transcribed below at the end of the posting.)
David Carll, in fact, grew quite wealthy from his shipyard. Indeed, in about 1878, he used some of that wealth to acquire a large plantation near Crescent City, Florida on which he planted a massive orange grove of more than 60,000 trees. The plantation consisted of about 85 acres located on Crescent Lake. About 14 acres of the plantation contained bearing orange trees, a packing house, and extensive equipment and tools. Within a short time, the orange plantation became more and more of Carll's focus and he left more and more responsibility for his Pelham shipyard to the shipyard superintendent, William Anderson, who eventually became an executor of Carll's will.
In the 1880 U.S. Census, David Carll is shown as a "Shipbuilder" living on City Island in the Town of Pelham with his wife, Hannah, and his children: Susie (age 18), Minnie (age 16), Jessie (age 7), and David Jr. (age 5). Additionally, one of David Carll's brothers, 39-year-old Henry W. Carll, is listed in the 1880 census as a "Ship Carpenter" living with his brother's family. The Carll family lived next door to famed City Island sailmaker William Darling and his family.
David Carll's Community Involvement
During the 1870s, David Carll also became increasingly involved in community affairs in the Town of Pelham. In 1872, he was nominated on the Democratic ticket to serve as Justice of the Peace for the Town of Pelham. See POLITICAL NOTES, New-York Daily Tribune, Mar. 25, 1872, p. 5, col. 4 ("The Democrats have made the following nominations for town officers in Westchester County: . . . Justice of the Peace, David Carll").
The following year, 1873, the Town of Pelham held a special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of Town Supervisor Benjamin Hegeman. David Carll ran for the position of Town Supervisor on both the Republican and the Reformer tickets. He lost to Democrat James Hyatt by a vote of 150 to 113 in a spirited special election that brought out nearly as many voters as in an ordinary election. See HOME NEWS, New-York Daily Tribune, May 3, 1873, Triple Section, p. 12, col. 3 ("PELHAM.--A special election will be held next Wednesday for the purpose of electing a Supervisor to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Hegeman. David Carll has been nominated by the Republicans and Reformers, and David Hyatt by the Democrats."); ELECTION AT PELHAM, The Statesman [Yonkers, NY], May 16, 1873, p. 8, col. 2 ("ELECTION AT PELHAM.--At the special election held at Pelham on Wednesday of last week, for a Supervisor to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Benjamin Hegeman, there were 270 votes polled, of which James Hyatt, Democrat, received 150, and David Carll, Republican, 113. The vote tell but little short of that of the annual election.").
In at least 1874 and 1876 -- and likely in 1875 as well -- David Carll was elected, and served as, Justice of the Peace in the Town of Pelham. See PELHAM Abstract of Acccounts Audited by the Board of Town Auditors of the Town of Pelham, at Their Annual Session, November 5, 6, and 7, 1874, The Yonkers Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Mar. 5, 1875, p. 1, col. 6 (showing payments to David Carll not only for service as Justice of the Peace, but also for supplying lumber for work on a local bridge); ABSTRACT OF TOWN ACCOUNTS -- 1876 -- PELHAM, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Feb. 23, 1877, Vol. XXXII, No. 45, p. 1, col. 2 (showing payments in 1876 to David Carll in connection with service as Justice of the Peace).
In 1877, David Carll became a member of the Town Board of the Town of Pelham. See TOWN of PELHAM -- Notice is Hereby Given, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 21, 1877, Vol. IX, No. 418, p. 4, col. 1 (Notice for sale of Pelham properties due to non-payment of taxes list Town Board as Town Supervisor James Hyatt and Town Board members David Carll, Theo. Perissoni, E. A. Patterson, Wm. H. Sparks, and Sherman T. Pell). The following year (1878) David Carll was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Westchester Fire Insurance Company. See [Untitled], The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 11, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 434, p. 3, col. 1 ("The annual election for directors of the Westchester Fire Insurance Company was held at the office of the company, New Rochelle, on Wednesday the 9th inst., when the following gentlemen were elected: . . . David Carll . . .").
Though David Carll's public and community service likely was more extensive than the few references above indicate, at a minimum it is clear that in addition to the respect he earned as a successful and affluent local business owner, David Carll also was a respected member of the community selected by his friends and neighbors in Pelham to serve such important roles as Justice of the Peace and Town Board member throughout much of the 1870s.
David Carll Retires from the "Active Business" of His City Island Shipyard
By 1884, David Carll was tiring of the shipyard business and wanted to devote more time and attention to his orange plantation near Crescent City, Florida. Indeed, The Chronicle (a local newspaper in Mount Vernon, New York) reported on June 6, 1884:
"Mr. David Carll, it is understood, is anxious to sell his ship-yard. He wants to be relieved of business in the North, and give more attention to his Florida plantation."
See CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 6, 1884, Vol. XV, No. 768, p. 3, col. 3.
David Carll retired from "active business" in about 1885. Although he sold his City Island shipyard to Henry Piepgras, at least one source indicates that Carll retained an interest in the shipyard -- much as he had retained an interest when he left the shipyard at Northport in 1859.
After retiring from the active business of his shipyard, David Carll and his wife, Hannah, moved to an area near Crescent City, Florida where they maintained the orange plantation near Crescent City, Florida. It appears that they moved, temporarily, to a home in the area while planning to build a home on their plantation known as "Carll Grove." One brief account stated:
"Capt. David Carll has moved in the house belonging to E. Gilbert, and lately occupied by Capt. Rhoades."
Source: [Untitled], The Palatka Daily News [Palatka, Florida], Feb. 4, 1888, p. 4, col. 5.
David Carll seemed to have a kind heart and used his orange plantation as a means of helping some of his former shipyard employees. According to one account:
"Many of his employees who were suffering from pulmonary affections were pensioned by the old shipbuilder and given a home on his estate, while those who were strong enough to work were employed at a good salary."
In 1888, David Carll was engaged in overseeing the construction of a new home on his Florida plantation. On December 27, 1888, however, he died suddenly of "apoplexy" (i.e., a stroke) at the age of 58 (although some accounts erroneously state he was 62). He was survived by his wife and at least three of his children.
The Will of David Carll, Filed and Probated in Putnam County, Florida
The probate file for the will of David Carll, filed and proved in Putnam County, Florida, is quite extensive and sheds light on David Carll's life and family. The file is available online, via paid subscription. See Ancestry.com - David Carll in the Florida Wills and Probate Records, 1810-1974, Name: David Carll; Probate Place: Putnam, Florida, USA; Inferred Death Year: Abt 1889; Inferred Death Place: Florida, USA; Item Description: Probate Packets, File No. 472-500 (images of 49 pages).
Immediately below is a complete transcription of the six-page will of David Carll. Following the transcription are images of the pages that have been transcribed.
“[Page
1]
I David Carll of City Island in
the town of Pelham County of Westchester and State of New York being of sound
mind and memory but realizing the uncertainty of life and being desirous of
making a fair just and proper disposition of my worldly affairs do hereby make
publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form
following -------------------
First I direct my
Executors and Trustees hereinafter named to pay my lawful debts and proper
funeral expenses as soon after my decease as may be practicable
---------------
Second I give and devise to
my son David Carll Jr. to him and his heirs forever a
one equal undivided two third interest in that certain Orange Grove adjacent to
Crescent City in Putnam County Florida comprising some fifty acres located on
the north side of the main Street Which I purchased in part from Mr. Stradiff and in part from Mr.
Sheffield.
Third I give devise
and bequeath all my Real Estate except as above
[Page
2]
Devised and personal
property of every name and nature and wheresoever
situate consisting of my other groves in Florida and the remaining one third
interest in the above described grove
and of Real Estate ship yard and appurtenances in the town of Pelham Westchester
County and State of New York and my shipping interests as well as such other
realty and personalty as I may die seized and
possessed of to my dear wife Hannah Amelia Carll
during the term of her natural life as my widow or in the event of her
remarriage then until such remarriage and at her death or remarriage I give
devise and bequeath the said Real Estate and personal property referred to in
this subdivision to my daughters Susie D. Rich[,] Minnie Estelle Harrington[,]
Jesse Anita Carll and to my son David Carll Jr. equally share and share alike to them and their
heirs forever
This provision in
favor of my wife
[Page
3]
Is made in lieu of
her dower.-----------
Fourth In case of the death of
one or more of my said children before my death the death of my wife or her
re-marriage leaving lawful issue surviving I give devise and bequeath the share
or shares to which such child or children would be entitled if living at the
time that my above mentioned devise to them would take effect to the lawful
issue of said deceased child or children ---------------
Fifth In case of the death of
one or more of my said children before my death the death of my wife or her
remarriage leaving no lawful issue I give devise and bequeath the share or
shares to which such deceased child or children would be entitled if living at
the time that my above mentioned devise to them would take effect to my
surviving children share and share alike -------------
Sixth I hereby direct
authorize and empower my Executors and Trustees
[Page
4]
hereinafter named at any time
after my decease in their discretion and when they shall deem it for the best
interests of my widow and children to sell and dispose at public or private sale
all my Estate Real and Personal except that mentioned in the devise to my son
David Carll Jr. to give good and perfect deeds and
conveyances to the purchasers thereof and to safely invest the proceeds realized
therefrom after deducting proper expenses in United States State City or First
Mortgage securities and the income that may be derived therefrom shall be paid
to and be the property of my wife until her death or remarriage as aforesaid and
at such death or remarriage the principal that may have been invested in such
securities shall be equally divided share and share alike among my children
above named in the same proportion and in the same manner in subdivisions Third
Fourth and Fifth of this my will set forth. ----------
[Page
5]
Seventh I request my wife to personally support
maintain and care for my two children Jessie Anita Carll and David Carll Jr. during
their minority and to give my daughter three or four years tuition in an
institution of Learning and to give my son a good school education until he
arrives at the age of Eighteen years. It
is my wish that my daughter shall receive in the event of her marriage a
suitable wedding outfit and the sum of three thousand dollars as a bridal
present from her mother provided she enters into a matrimonial alliance
satisfactory to the latter -----------
Finally I appoint my wife Hannah Amelia Carll to be Executrix and Trustee and my son in law Charles
W. Harrington and my superintendent William Anderson to be Executors and
Trustees of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking any and all former
wills by me at any time made
[Page
6]
In Witness
Whereof I have hereunto set
my hand seal this twentieth day of May in the year of Our Lord One thousand and
Eight hundred and Eighty five------------
David Carll [Seal]
The foregoing
instrument was by the said David Carll at the date
thereof signed sealed published and declared in our presence and to us as and
for his last Will and Testament and we at his request and in his presence and in
the presence of each other have hereunto signed and named as subscribing
witnesses to the Executors thereof
Henry K. Huntington
M.D.
New Rochelle
N.Y.
Edwin W. Finch M.
D.
New Rochelle
N.Y.
Cornelius E. Kene
New Rochelle
N.Y.”
David Carll's May 20, 1885 Will, Page 1.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
David Carll's May 20, 1885 Will, Page 2.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
David Carll's May 20, 1885 Will, Page 3.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
David Carll's May 20, 1885 Will, Page 4.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
David Carll's May 20, 1885 Will, Page 5.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
David Carll's May 20, 1885 Will, Page 6.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
More Carll Family Information
In 1907, David Carll, Jr. oversaw efforts to sell the "Carll Grove" -- David Carll's orange plantation near Crescent City. An advertisement on behalf of "The Carll Estate" appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its text as well as a citation and link to its source.
1907 Advertisement Offering to Sell "the Carll Grove,"
the Orange Grove Near Crescent City, Florida Established
[Advertisement], The Palatka News [Palatka, Florida], Mar.
"The Carll Estate
Offers for sale all of Block 27, Crescent City, including residence, barn and the furnishings contained in the residence. Also
ORANGE GROVE
property known as the Carll Grove on Crescent Lake. About 85 acres of land; about 14 acres of bearing orange trees, packing house, equipment and tools. The property is all free and clear, and in first-class condition. Apply to
M.H. READ,
Crescent City, or
DAVID CARLL,
20 Broad St. New York City."
* * * * *
Below is the transcribed text of a number of obituaries, articles, and other items that shed light on the life of David Carll and his City Island shipyard. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.
"A FAMOUS SHIPBUILDER DEAD.
-----
MR. DAVID CARLL EXPIRES SUDDENLY AT HIS HOME IN FLORIDA.
Mr. David Carll, the noted City Island shipbuilder, died yesterday of apoplexy on his plantation, near Crescent City, Fla. Mr. Carll and his brother Jesse moved from this city to Long Island in 1861, the former establishing a ship yard at City Island, while the latter went to Northport.
Though the name of David Carll has been closely associated with many famous yachts he was better known as a shipbuilder, particularly of three masted schooners for Theband & Co., in the Mexican trade. The company was known as the Vera Cruz Packet Line and one of Mr. Carll's schooners, the Potosi, made the quickest passage on record between New York and Vera Cruz.
When the old United States line of battle ship North Carolina was sold at public auction in 1870 Mr. Carll purchased her, and from the live oak timbers in the old hulk he laid the foundation of the large fortune which he afterward amassed. From these timbers he built the schooner yacht Resolute for Mr. A. S. Hatch and the Atlanta for Mr. William Astor. In addition to these vessels he also found timber enough to build the bridge from City Island to Pelham on the mainland.
When the alterations to the famous schooner Sappho were recommended to Mr. William P. Douglass by Mr. Robert Fish, the entire work was done at the yard of Mr. Carll on City Island. The yacht, which was hipped, or padded, on her outside timbers, and lengthened in the stern and bow, was vastly improved in speed and weatherly qualities, become one of the fastest vessels in the world. The alterations have generally been credited to Mr. Fish, but Mr. Carll has always claimed them as his own.
The other yachts built by Mr. Carll were the schooners Ambassadress, Nervana, Vega and Vesta, sloops Phebe and Lurline and a number of smaller craft, besides rebuilding the Magic for Mr. Franklin Osgood.
Mr. Carll had been out of business for seven years, though he still retained an interest in the City Island yard, now owned by Mr. Piepgras, and has a great deal of other property in the town, of which he had been a municipal officer for many years.
His estate in Florida consists of a large orange grove, which he purchased about ten years ago and planted more than sixty thousand trees. At the time of Mr. Carll's death he was superintending the building of a new house in Florida. Many of his employees who were suffering from pulmonary affections were pensioned by the old shipbuilder and given a home on his estate, while those who were strong enough to work were employed at a good salary.
Mr. Carll was sixty-two years of age and said to be a man of large fortune. He leaves a wife and three children."
Source: A FAMOUS SHIPBUILDER DEAD -- MR. DAVID CARLL EXPIRES SUDDENLY AT HIS HOME IN FLORIDA, N. Y. Herald, Dec. 28, 1888, p. 10, col. 2.
"OBITUARY NOTES. . . .
David Carll, the well-known shipbuilder of City Island, died suddenly of apoplexy on Thursday on his plantation near Crescent City, Fla. Mr. Carll was 62 years old, and had been in the ship-building business nearly all his life. He removed from New-York City to City Island in 1861 and established a shipyard at the latter place. In 1870 he bought at public auction the old United States war ship North Carolina, and out of her timbers built the yachts Resolute, for Mr. A. S. Hatch, and Atalanta, for Mr. William Astor. He also had enough of the timbers left to construct the bridge from City Island to Pelham. He also built the famous yacht Sappho, the schooners Ambassadress, Nervana, Vega, and Vesta, the sloops Phoebe and Lurline, and many smaller craft. Many three-masted schooners were also built at his yard; one of these, the Potosi, made the quickest trip on record form New-York to Vera Cruz. Mr. Carll retired from active business seven years ago, although he still retained an interest in his old shipyard. About 10 years ago he purchased an orange plantation in Florida and planted it with 60,000 trees. He was engaged in cultivating this plantation when he died. He was wealthy and leaves a wife and three children."
Source: OBITUARY NOTES. . . . David Carll, N.Y. Times, Dec. 29, 1888.
"RECENT DEATHS.
-----
Advices from Florida bring intelligence of the death of David Carll, the once noted ship builder of City Island. Mr. Carll had not been in good health for a number of years and some seven or eight years ago retired actively from the business of ship building and purchased a large orange grove near Crescent City, Florida, where he was, with his usual vigor making improvements, when he was stricken with apoplexy. The Long-Islander in a sketch of the deceased says: 'Though the name of David Carll has been closely associated with many famous yachts, he was better known as a shipbuilder, particularly of three-masted schooners for Theband & Co., in the Mexican trade. The company was known as the Vera Cruz Packet Line and one of Mr. Carll's schooners the Potosi, made the quickest passage on record between New York and Vera Cruz. When the old United States line of battle ship North Carolina was sold at public auction in 1860, Mr. Carll purchased her, and from the live oak timbers in the old bulk he laid the foundation of the large fortune which he afterward amassed. From these timbers he built the schooner yacht Resolute for Mr. A. S. Hatch and the Atlanta for Mr. William Astor. In addition to these vessels he also found timber enough to build the bridge from City Island to Pelham on the main land. When the alterations of the famous schooner Sappho was recommended to Mr. William P. Douglass by Mr. Robert Fish, the entire work was done at the yard of Mr. Carll on City Island. The yacht, when hipped, or padded, on her outside timbers, and lengthened in the stern and bow, was vastly improved in speed and weatherly qualities, becoming one of the fastest vessels in the world. The alterations have generally been credited to Mr. Fish, but Mr. Carll has always claimed them as his own."
Source: Recent Deaths, The New Town Register [New Town, NY], Jan. 3, 1889, p.?, col. 4 (page number not printed on newspaper page).
"SPORTS ON THE WATER.
-----
THE AMBASSADRESS.
-----
MR. WILLIAM ASTOR'S NEW SCHOONER YACHT SUCCESSFULLY FLOATED -- A DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL, ETC.
The new schooner yacht, which has been built for Mr. William Astor by Mr. David Carll, of City Island, has been named the Ambassadress and was successfully launched last Saturday morning, in the presence of about a thousand spectators, who had ridden in from all parts of Westchester County, and also from this city, to see the show. The yacht was sent off the way 'all atsunto,' topmasts fidded, jibboom sent out, and boom and gaffs in place. From each truck, long lines of streamers depended, a large burgee with the full name 'Ambassadress' in it floating from the main, while the pennant of the New York Yacht Club overtopped all others at the fore. Her decks were crowded with visitors all the morning, a large majority of them being women. Just before the launch, however, most of these were sent ashore, the tide, being a scant one, rendering it necessary to get rid of all superfluous weight. In the offing the Atalanta, and many other vessels, were lying, gaily dressed off with bunting, in honor of the occasion. At 11:15 the work of wedging up began, and the yacht was soon securely fixed in her cradle. Then the blocks on which her keel had rested since it was laid were split out and removed, and she hung altogether by her bilges. The sliding ways were bolted securely to the standing or ground ways, and these bolts were now -- the bilge shores having been knocked away -- the only impediment to the yachts motion. A couple of cross-cut saws were now brought into operation, and the sliding ways were cut through, just below these bolts. The incline of the ways was very great, much more than is usual, and the instant the ways were cut through the yacht started, and with great rapidity slide down the incline. As her stern took the water it buried itself deeply for an instant, and, then, as for her whole length she left the smoking ways, she became water bound, and her stern rose buoyantly from its submersion, and she floated from off her cradle as beautiful a yacht as has yet been built. The successful launch was greeted with the cheers of the assembled spectators, and by the music of the City Island band, which had been engaged to do honor to the occasion. The yacht was at once towed to the wharf, where, after taking on board a second anchor and chain, she was hauled off into the stream ,and anchored near by the Atalanta. A select party of invited guests then adjourned to the house of Captain S. W. Freestone, who is to command the new yacht, where an elegant collation had been provided, and where success to the Ambassadress, her owner, and captain, was drank with all the honors. The new yacht is, Mr. Carll says, as near like the Atalanta in model as it was possible to build her, that model having been copied closely in the model from which the Ambassadress was built. She is, of course, very much larger, being 148 ft. long, 29 ft. beam, and 12 ft. 3 in. deep, her carpenter's measurement being 468 tons. She is constructed throughout of the very best materials, her frame being composed of white oak, live oak, chestnut, hackmatock, and Long Island locust, the timbers being of extra size, and closer together than is usual in pleasure crafts. Her deck beams are kneed to the frames with hanging and bosom knees. She is ceiled throughout with yellow pine, three inches in thickness, her outside planking being oak, of the same thickness. The keelson is of a novel pattern, patented by Mr. Carll, with especial reference to centre-board boats, whereby much extra strength is attained. The trunk from this up is of the utmost solidity and strength. Her centre-board is 26 ft. 3 in. long, 13 ft. 8 in. wide, and 6 in. thick. Thirty tons of iron ballast has been fitted to her floors, and she is to have sixty tons in addition, and is expected to draw about 11 ft. of water with centre-board up. She has a deck of white pine, flush fore and aft, with bulwarks 30 in. high. For her whole length amidships is a course of mahogany skylights of extra size. The partners are of oak, with mast collars of mahogany. Her masts are 91 ft. and 93 ft., of which 12 ft. is below the deck, and 11 ft. taken off for mast-head. The topmasts are 61 ft. and 58 ft., 11 ft. of which is in the doubling of the masts. Her present main boom is 73 ft., with 40 ft. gaff, but she has another boom for her racing rig, which is 82 ft. long, with 45 ft. gaff. The foreboom is 37 ft. 6 in., with gaff 34 ft. 3 in. The squaresail yard is 64 ft., bowsprit 28 ft., outboard jibboom 64 ft. 3 in., the keel coming to the knight-heads and fitted with patent fid for reefing. The standing rigging is of 8 1/2 in. hemp, four shroud, three of which are ratted down.
Below the decks there is the usual sail room over the transom, with two large rooms at the foot of the companion-way, one of which is for the captain, and the other is to be used for charts, signals, etc. At the foot of the stairs is a small after cabin, or reading room, which is to be most luxuriously fitted up as a lounging place. Its size is 11 ft. wide by 7 ft. long. It will be separated from the main saloon by a bulkhead. The main saloon is 21 ft. fore and aft, and goes nearly the whole width of the yacht, being 23 ft. wide. In the centre of its length, on each side is to be a wide mirror extending from deck to deck, and having lounges and lockers forward and abaft of it. The forward bulkhead will have a secretary on one side and a plate locker on the other; the mainmast coming down in the centre will be appropriately cased and ornamented. Forward of this main saloon is a suite of rooms for Mr. Astor and his family; they are three in number, and open into each other, with bathroom, etc., forward of them. All that art can do to adorn these rooms will be done. They are lighted and ventilated by a skylight, which extends for their whole length.
On the port side of the centre-board trunk is a passage-way about 2 1/2 ft. wide, into which all the port state-rooms open; they are three in number, and there is beside a pantry and wash-room. Forward of these is a kitchen, which is large, extending the whole width of the yacht, and about 10 ft. fore and aft. Off from this are bread lockers, ice houses, rooms for the petty officers, etc., and forward of these, the forecastle, fitted in hard woods, and having ample accommodation for fourteen men. Below the cabin floors are the water tanks and ballast, with lots of room to spare on account of her great depth. It is hard to say, previous to a trial, whether a yacht is going to be fast or slow, so much depends upon trim and the placing and staying of the masts, but, judging of the Ambassadress simply from her appearance upon the ways and afloat, it would be safe to say that she will be a powerful but not an extremely fast yacht. Probably, like the old Alarm, she might enter for the June regatta of the club for a dozen years in succession, and never take a prize, unless, like the Atalanta, she won it by a 'fluke.' The latter yacht has been much over-estimated, so far as speed is concerned, by both her owner and her builder. She has won the only two races in which she has been entered, but in both instances her success was due altogether to chance. Like her, the new boat will be fast, but not the fastest of the fleet. She is too full forward, and too lean aft. She will, however, be an admirable sea boat, and one of the most comfortable crusing yachts afloat. She will be at once fitted for sea, her owner intending to visit Florida in her during the coming winter. Next spring, when the season opens, she will race with all comers."
Source: SPORTS ON THE WATER -- THE AMBASSADRESS -- MR. WILLIAM ASTOR'S NEW SCHOONER YACHT SUCCESSFULLY FLOATED -- A DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL, ETC., The Spirit of the Times, Sep. 29, 1877, p. 232, col. 1.
"THE RITCH-CARLL NUPTIALS.
-----
One of the fashionable and social events of City Island, N. Y. on Wednesday, June 18th, was the celebration of the nuptials of Mr. Geo. H. Ritch, of Cherry Hill, East Port Chester, Ct., and Miss Susie D., daughter of David Carll, the extensive ship builder of City Island, N. Y. -- The interesting ceremony was witnessed by a large number of friends and relatives from Port Chester, Greenwich, Rye, New York, Brooklyn, Lyons, and other towns of New York and Connecticut. The parlors in which the couples were married were most elaborately decorated with flowers, tropical plants in pots, and beautiful ferns and evergreens, and resembled more a tropical garden in full bloom than a private ceremony in New York [illegible] was an elegant floral canopy under which the couple were united. At two o'clock Prof. Wm. Browne opened with a grand wedding march when the bridal party entered, led by the ushers, Silas Ritch, brother of the groom, C. R. Harrington, of Lyons, N. Y., and the pages, Jessie Carll, sister of the bride, and Willie Oxer, nephew of the groom. The couple took their places under the floral canopy, when the Rev. Wm. Newbold, of City Island performed the beautiful ceremony which joined the happy twain as one. The groom and ushers wore the conventionals, the groom looking better than usual on this important occasion. The bride, radiant and beautiful, was attired in a handsome white satin, en train, beaded front, Pompadour neck, point duchesse lace, tulle veil with diamond ornaments, with boquet of Cook roses. The ladies' toilets were elegant, and rich; among others are noted the following: Mrs. David Carll, mother of the bride,, black satin, en train, with duchesse lace trimmings, diamonds and Cook roses. Mrs. Wm. Ritch, mother of the groom, black silk, point lace, diamond ornaments, Marshal Neil roses, Miss Minnie Carll, sister of the bride, wore white Surah satin, Pompadour neck, Spanish lace, diamonds with Jacque Minot roses. Miss Jessie Carll, Surah satin and lace, carried a basket of Marshal Neil roses. Mrs. Wm. Oxer, cream white brocade satin, lace trimmings, diamonds and Jacque Minot roses. Miss Libbie Ritch, white brocade satin, beaded lace trimmings, diamond ornaments and pink roses. Mrs. Willis Ritch, Jr., olive satin, white lace, diamonds, pink roses. Miss Ida F. Mead, white nun's veiling, Spanish lace sleeves, point neck, white roses. Mrs. Edward Carll, garnet satin, diamonds and tea roses. Miss Nellie Carll, white silk and lace, tea roses. Miss Hannah Carll, crushed strawberry silk and Spanish lace, diamonds, Marshal Neil roses. Miss Edna Denton, black silk, white roses. Miss Knight, duchesse lace, point neck, diamonds, water lilies. Mrs. Lyon, black satin, point lace, Jacque Minot roses. Mrs. L. E. Jackson, white silk, en train, beaded lace front, Pompadour neck, diamonds, Jacque Minot roses. Mrs. Dudley Horton, white satin, en train, brocade front, Pompadour neck, duchesse lace, diamonds, white roses. Miss Gertrude Horton, pink silk and lace, diamonds, pink roses, Miss Lizzie Horton, garnet silk and olive brocade, Pompadour neck, red roses. Miss Phoebe Lyon, black satin, Spanish lace. Miss Mary Lyon, black satin and white point duchesse. Miss Annie Horton, white silk and nun's veiling, en train, pearl ornaments; and other ladies present were equally as richly dressed. One effective feature of the nuptials was the darkening of the handsome parlors, and the lighting of rich chandaliers. The scene was an interesting one, the glimmering lights making a happy contrast with the brilliant solar body shining without. After the nuptials the guests greeted the bride and groom and made a review of the bridal presents which were in part as follows: David Carll, father of the bride, gave a check for $3,000; Mrs. Carll, her mother, a handsome solid silver service; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ritch, a splendid upright piano; Minnie E. Carll, a bronze statuette; Jessie Carll, china match, receiver, prayer book and hymnal; David Carll, Jr., a pretty clock; Mrs. A. L. Harrington, silver berry spoon, in case; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Hyler, silver velvet toilet set; C. R. Harrington, copy of the celebrated painting, 'Chariot Race,' by A Wagner; Willis Ritch and wife, black walnut extension table; Silas Ritch, silver castor; Mrs. Wm. Oxer, silver cake basked; Miss Libbie Ritch, silver butter dish; Willie Oxer, napkin rings; Ida Mead, silver sugar spoon in case; Mr. Jesse Carll and family, china and silver tea service; Mr. Edward Carll and family, cut glass berry dish with silver standard; Miss Nettie Carll, knit skirt and slippers; Mr. Henry Carll, silver card case and cards; Miss Edna Denton, painted placque; Mr. and Mrs. George Horton, Bible; Miss Lizzie and Annie Horton, Rogers' Group; Mrs. Josepoh Boura, Japanese vase; Mr. H. A. Young, Webster's dictionary; Mrs. Brumer, 1 doz. cut wine glasses; Mrs. R. Horton, silver card receiver; Mrs. Freestone and sister, silver berry dish; The Misses Waterhouse, silver set napkin rings; Miss Carrie Palmer, plush toilet set; Henry Kahl, album; Mr. and Mrs. J. Miller, Jr., silver pickle dish; Dudley Horton and wife, mirror with brass frame; Mr. Anderson and family, glass lemonade set and service; Emma Burke, plush banner; Maude Hubbard, painted brass placque; Mr. and Mrs. D. Lyon, Jr., two elegant bronze mantel ornaments; Mr. and Mrs. S. Pell, pearl opera glasses; Mr. and Mrs. S. Cochran, silver jewel case; Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Jackson, hand satin painted fan; Mr. E. K. Brown, 'The Ancient Mariners' and 'The Raven'; Mr. E. Russell Glover, set of gold and silver salt cellars, Miss Knight, gold perfume stand; Mr. and Mrs. Allen Lincoln, silver bell and spoon holder; Mr. and Mrs. D. Lyon and daughters, brass mantel decorations; Mr. Frasier, china toilet set; Mr. James Wessois, silver pickle dish; The Misses Dayton, silver napkin rings; Mr. and Mrs. W. Wakefield, Baxter Bible; Mr. and Mrs. Burritt, silver berry spoon; Mrs. C. B. Murray, silver vases; Mrs. J. Vickery, silver pickle dish; Ida Powell, silver card receiver; Emma and Mary McAllister, plush jewel case; Miss A. Downing, brass painted placque; H. R. Smith and sister, mirror and brass candelabra; Mrs. J. Horton, plush box of stationery; Miss E. Abbot, satin toilet set; Dr. J. McCressen and wife, silver butter knife in case; Mrs. and Mrs. J. War, set china fruit dishes and doyleys; Mr. and Mrs. L. Rogers, hand painted placques, plush frame; Herman Rogers, hand painted fan; A. H. Mead and sister, silver cake basket; Miss A. Lyon, tidy; Mrs. and Mrs. W. Beadle and family, silver fish knife and fork in case; Mrs. A. Wood, silver fruit and butter knives; Mrs. C. Stringham, silver gravy spoon. A most extensive bridal lunch was served by Ulerisa [sp?] of New York City, and was one of the finest affairs of the kind City Island ever knew. The music . . . was by Prof. Wm. Browne, the able organist of Christ Church, Rye. About 6 o'clock the same evening the happy couple left for an extended [remainder illegible].
Source: THE RITCH-CARLL NUPTIALS, The Port Chester Journal, Jun. 20, 1884, p. 1, col. 4.
"DAVID CARLL'S WILL. -- The will of David Carll, the well-known ship and yacht builder, of City Island, has been admitted to probate in the Surrogate's Court at White Plains. He left considerable real estate in Westchester County, and a fine orange plantation in Putnam County, Fla.--all of which he bequeathes to his family. He appoints his wife executrix, and Charles R. Harrington, his son-in-law, and William Anderson, who was Superintendent of his ship yards at City Island, his executors."
Source: DAVID CARLL's WILL, The Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Apr. 6, 1889, p. 4, col. 3.
"The Carll-Jones Wedding.
The Bridgeport (Conn.) Standard of the 3d Inst. contains the following account of the wedding of Miss Florence Jones to Mr. David Carll, and will be read with interest by their Crescent City friends:
'One of the prettiest weddings of the season took place this afternoon at St. John's Episcopal Church at 4 o'clock, when Miss Florence Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Davenport, of 84 Washington Avenue, became the wife of David Carll, a prominent lawyer of New York City. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. William H. Lewis, D. D., rector of the church. The interior of St. John's was attractively decorated with palms and white chrysanthemums and the guests filled the pews.
'Promptly at 4 o'clock the bridal procession moved up the aisle, the bride on the arm of her father, who gave her away. They were met at the altar by the bridegroom and his best man, the bride's brother, Edward F. Jones of New York. Miss Jones was charmingly gowned in white satin with a court trainand trimmings of rose point lace. She was veiled and carried beside a shower bouquet of white roses and lillies of the valley, an ivory prayer book given her by her god-child, Miss Muriel Read, the liggle daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barnum Read. Miss Beatrice Davenport who attended Miss Jones as her maid of honor, was becomingly attired in a princess gown of chiffon moire over pink, and carried pink roses. She wore a picture hat trimmed with pink roses and marabout feathers.
'The ushers were Samuel Fayerweather Beardsley, of this city, Benjamin Treadwell Kissam, New York; Henry W. Baird, New York; and Robert Jacob, City Island, N. Y.
'After the ceremony there was a reception at the bride's home on Washington avenue, and a wedding breakfast was served.
Mr. and Mrs. Carll are to enjoy a two week's wedding trip in an automobile, after which they will reside in New York city.
'Miss Carll has been the recipient of a number of beautiful gifts including silver, cut glass, etc.'"
Source: The Carll-Jones Wedding, The Palatka News [Palatka, FL], Oct. 11, 1907, p. 3, col. 3.
"YACHT INTREPID SOLD.
-----
Famous Schooner Changes Hands and Is Sent to City Island Yard Recently Purchased by Yachtsmen.
-----
Mr. E. Clinton Clark has sold the schooner yacht Intrepid to Mr. Edward L. Temple, and the vessel has been sent to the yard at City Island formerly owned by Henry Piepgras to be overhauled and repaired where necessary.
The Intrepid is quite a famous craft. She was built by C. & R. Poillon, Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1878, from designs by Mr. A. Cary Smith, for Mr. Lloyd Phoenix, and has been owned in addition to Mr. Clark, by Mr. Willoughby Weston and Mr. Edward T. Hunt. Her ocean cruises have been numerous and her seagoing qualities always of the best.
The City Island shipyard referred to is now controlled by those energetic designers and yachtsmen, Mr. A. Cary Smith and Mr. Henry G. Barbey, and under their direction it will, no doubt, become quite as well known in the future as it has been in the past. Of this yard 'Northport' writes to the HERALD:--
'The shipyard just sold by Henry Piepgras was started by Samuel P. Hart, of Northport, L.I., who put down the first set of railways there and did a large business in repairing vessels injured by striking the rocks in Hell Gate or getting ashore around Hart's Island. David Carll, also of Northport, bought out Mr. Hart and enlarged the yard. He built many boats that became famous, such as the schooner C. Van Name, pilot boat David Carll and the yachts Vesta and Resolute, the latter now the Ramona. The Resolute was constructed of the timber taken from the United States receiving ship North Carolina, bought of the government at auction by Mr. Carll and broken up at his yard. These timbers were even better than new wood, being blue as indigo and so hard that the shipwrights had the greatest difficulty in boring them for the treenails and spikes. Carll died several years ago and his widow sold the property to Piepgras.'"
Source: YACHT INTREPID SOLD -- Famous Schooner Changes Hands and Is Sent to City Island Yard Recently Purchased by Yachtsmen, N.Y. Herald, Apr. 12, 1900, p. 13, col. 3.
"THE YACHT ATALANTA.
-----
CITY ISLAND, N.Y., OCT. 6, 1875.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD: --
My attention was called yesterday to a passage in an editorial of the World on Friday last, relating to the regatta of the New York Yacht Club which took place last Thursday. The passage referred to reads as follows -- 'At the point of the Hook the fleet was divided, four of the fastest of the large schooners lying becalmed, while the slowest, an old yacht which was rebuilt some two years ago, and which never was remarkable for saling qualities either before or after her alteration, went around the lightship and returned, carrying with her on the hoe reach a fine breeze, which the others lying less than half a mile from her track, failed to get.'
It is apparent that the 'old yacht' spoken of is the Atalanta, and as the World asserts that she is a rebuilt and slow vessel, I, as the builder of the yacht, desire to say a few words in reply. The remains of the yacht Calypso, which yacht had been almost totally destroyed by fire at Newport a short time before, were sent to my yard to be rebuilt in May, 1873, and were placed upon the ways, when I found that very few parts of her were fit to remain. I communicated to Mr. William Astor, her owner, my opinion that the expense of making her a sound vessel would be equivalent to building a new yacht. I then suggested to him some alterations to be made in the old model, in which suggestions he acquiesced, and, in accordance with my ideas, I effected the following changes: -- in the first place only about thirty-five feet of the Calypso's keel was practicable for use, and that had to be altered before it could be used. I extended the bows 8 1/2 feet and the stern 5 feet and added 8 1/2 inches to her depth and 11 inches to her width. After doing this I found that what was left of her amidships was rotten and useless, so that in reality no part of the Calypso was feasible for use excepting the thirty-five feet of keel before mentioned. I, a shipbuilder of twenty-one years' standing, swore before the proper authorities that the Atalanta was a new yacht, and on my affidavit Mr. Astor obtained his builder's certificate. I think that this ought to do away with the World's assertion that the Atalanta is an old yacht.
The reason that she 'never was remarkable for her sailing qualities' is that she never had a fair test. Her owner built her solely for pleasure and never took any pains to get much speed out of her. Mr. Astor never desired to enter her in any regatta, and the consequence is that she has participated in but two -- once in either that of the New York or Brooklyn Club, I forget which at this moment, in 1873, and in which she led the fleet until the wind died out; and in last Thursday's contest, when she won the race, as everybody knows. I might add that it was only at the earnest solicitation of the Atalanta's Captain and myself that Mr. Astor consented to allow her to sail in that regatta. Very respectfully yours,
DAVIID CARLL."
Source: THE YACHT ATALANTA, N.Y. Herald, Oct. 7, 1875, Triple Sheet, p. 3, col. 2.
"THE FINEST IN THE WORLD.
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FULL DESCRIPTION OF MR. WILLIAM ASTOR'S NEW YACHT.
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A Floating Palace that will Cost a Quarter of a Million -- The Largest and Strongest of the Yachts -- A Boat for Winter and Racing.
Sailing over the Sound the traveller can see at City Island, on the ays of David Carll's shipyard, a large craft in frame whose beautiful and symmetrical lines challenge admiration. Walking around her, she appears, with her stern cocked high in air and massive timbers, like a vessel intended for commercial or naval purposes. She is, however, the latest addition to our superb pleasure marine fleet, and is being built for Mr. William Astor of the New York Yacht Club, at present owner of the Atalanta. She will be the largest schooner yacht in the world, exceeding even the Mohawk in size. She is built for Southern cruising in the winter season, to which her owner is partial. In addition to her working sails, she will have an immense suit of racing canvass for regattas and match races. She is well advanced in construction, being planked, and will be launched about Sept. 1.
In general appearance she may be described as having a long, easy bow, not very sharp, but pretty well filled out, and with more wood to hold her up than the Dauntless or Dreadnaught. She has a peculiarly fine elliptical stern, something like, but more hollow, than those built by George Speers. In fact, compared with the size of the boat, it looks, in her present condition, a little too small, but this effect will disappear when the planking goes on. The stern has a nine-foot over hang. She will be painted black, with a gold streak, and coppered and bright work inside. Her length on keel is 125 feet 9 inches, and over all 145 feet. The extreme breadth of beam is 29 feet, depth of hold 12 feet 3 inches, and draught of water [illegible] feet in ballast. She will have a centre board 28 feet long and about 15 feet deep. The idea of the great strength of the vessel may be gained from the following: The trunk logs will be 57 feet about 27 inches deep, 12-inch side, with rider keels of 12 by 14 inches on top of trunk logs. From the bottom of the keel to the top of the [illegible] is one solid mass of timber four feet three inches high. The frame consists of live and white oak, white chestnut, hackmetack [sic] and locust. On the [illegible] there is oak, then chestnut and oak, then chestnut and hackemetack [sic] to the plank shear, and from the plank shear to the rail is locust. She is double framed, seven-inch sided, twenty-four inches from centre, with the exception of floors ten to twelve-inch sided. The [illegible] size of frame
Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Labels: 1854, 1856, 1859, 1861, 1872, 1888, Ambassadress, Atalanta, Carll's Shipyard, Carll's Yard, City Island, Industry, Pilot Street, Ships, William B. Astor
