The abandoned Creighton Limekiln site in Thomaston where the St George River turns sharply west (and where Lyman-Morse is now located) became a shipyard when Herb Newbert and Roy Wallace moved there in 1942 and began builing wooden draggers, scallopers, sardine carriers, lobster boats, and occasional yachts. Their work, although mostly commercial, was widely respected for its quality, and if an owner wanted a fancy yacht, that yard proved again and again that it was up to the task. Here is the yard’s building list, compiled by Roy’s grandson Rod Cook, along with photos of some of its vessels.
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Leslie Trott says:
My father Leslie Trott had his Kilkenny built @ Newbert and Wallace
In 1967. She sailed out of New Bedford till 1984 when she went to
Alaska. After scalloping for a few years, she crossed the Pacific
To fish New Zealand waters. Today she is back in Alaska scalloping
Out of Homer. Newbert and Wallace built a fine boat.
charles flanagan says:
Re Surprise, she is a duplicate of the 1920 Crosby cat originally named Elizabeth. She was owned for many years by the Brown family of Cranston, RI and sailed out of the Edgewood Yacht Club. During the late 1940’s I was dating Margie Brown and spent many outings on her. My most vivid memories are the very large sail she had and first learning about scandalizing a sail to depower as the breeze makes up as Wendell never reefed that I remember. He sold her to Adrian Offinger in 1952. The Catboat Association had an article on her history in a recent bulletin which chronicled the eventual decision not to restore Elizabeth but to build a duplicate. He was able to get the original drawings from Wilton Crosby and had Newbert and Wallace build her, originally as Cathy Ann and renamed Surprise when Jon Agne bought her.
Spencer Day says:
Maynard,
Number 81 (in Newbert & Wallace list) is currently in Yarmouth, MA.
Name for last 20 years or so has been Surprise.
Not sure of original name – I could probably find out.
Here’s link to 2013 info: https://www.woodenboat.com/register-wooden-boats/surprise-7
Here’s Hadden page about the late Jon Agne who was owner starting 1999 and renamed her to Surprise: http://www.haddenboat.com/surprise-a-25-crosby-cat/
Thanks for a wonderful website and amazing videos!
-Spencer Day
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Spencer,
Thanks for the information about Surprise. I vaguely remember her being built at N&W since that was about the time I had the yard restore the Friendship Sloop Estella A while I had charge of Mystic Seaport’s watercraft collection. What I remember most is that Herb Newbert built the mast as a square stick, not realizing that it was supposed to be round in section. He recovered quickly, however, before the boat was delivered. I remember looking at the drawings, but can’t recall where they came from.
Brian Wujcik says:
Maynard,
It was neat to see the picture of Leroy preparing to launch Harbinger. I am in the process of purchasing this vessel (now ECCO II) and she’s located in York. Lots of work to do, but would love to learn as much about her as I can! Thanks, I’m really enjoying your site and all the videos.
Ben Fuller says:
Maynard, the MVUS lists PRISCILLA V as numbered 244154. Good picture of her probably in New Bedford in Nat Fish LB2012.15.18869. Lots of pics of Newbert vessels in that collection. Not having easy access to the list I’ll have to do the research as a separate project.
Maynard Bray says:
I’ve been noting the best images as I view the National Fisherman collection that Penobscot Marine Museum has scanned, and hope to add them to this Guide Post. I’m not quite up to LB2012.15.18869 yet, but will surely include that photo. Thanks for pointing it out.
alex lemon says:
The Jacob Pike and the Mary Anne were built for my family’s sardine business. I’ve never seen a picture of the Jacob Pike skiff that is listed above. I wonder if any survive? Thanks for this great article!
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Alex,
Great to hear from you. I never knew about the skiff either, but heard about it through Rod Cook’s research. I expect that N&W turned out small boats like this occasionally that never made the official builders’ list.
Not sure if you’ve seen our OCH video on caulking which features the Jacob Pike. She’s hauled again on North End Shipyard’s railway, I believe just for the winter.
She’s one fine vessel and I hope she keeps going forever. Too bad about the Mary Anne.
alex lemon says:
Thanks, Maynard. I hadnt yet found the caulking series but started watching them last night. Amazing to watch and listen to Geno practice his craft!
Jim Forsyth says:
I currently own Caribou and she is kept in Quincy/Boston area. Caribou is in great shape and will be cruising New England for many years to come.
Thank You,
Jim Forsyth
Ginny Jones says:
Thanks Maynard, and thanks to Rod Cook who has worked hard to complete a list, and details as well as photos of all the vessels. He was on ROANN when she came to the Vineyard accompanying the CHARLES W MORGAN in 2014. I’m still not sure which vessel was more exciting to islanders. There were a lot of moist eyes as they hove into view and then tied up in Vineyard Haven!
Ginny Jones
Bruce Brown says:
for the build list archive:
Friendship sloop “Loon” was built for Hugh Jacob of Bath (Home port Robin Hood); currently owned by Bruce Brown of Brewer
Maynard Bray says:
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the info. List has been changed accordingly.
Maynard
Andy Reynolds says:
Thanks for including that photo of Roann Maynard. Having helped build the replacement dory/lifeboat for her at WB School in 2013, its a treat to see the dory riding high atop Roann, since I have not yet made it to Mystic to see her in the flesh. A great documentary history of a yard that turned out many beautiful and seaworthy small ships.