Gifts from the Sea

From a 1961 Gazette edition:

It was quite recently that the conversation among a group of representative men was pertaining to the valuation of real estate for taxation purposes. One man in the group said: “The biggest part of the houses in the town of ________ were built of lumber picked up on the beaches.”

He was attempting to estimate the cost of building the houses mentioned as a pertinent part of setting their value, and whether or not this was a reasonable thing to do. The statement provoked thought. Many buildings of various kinds have been framed, at least, with “drift timber,” and where such timbering is exposed it is not difficult to identify it. For when men today or yesterday referred to drift timber they meant portions of wrecked vessels which were suitable for such use, and thereby hangs the tale of “wrecking,” as the salvaging of such lumber was called.

There are two clues to locating ship-timber in a building. Spike holes are to be found which may indicate ship-timber, but if a diamond shaped depression is cut in a timber, with a hole in the center and remains of white lead around it, it is a safe bet that this is a section of deck-planking and that it came from a wreck.

Actually the only lumber salvaged from a wrecked schooner which was suitable for timbering a building was the deck-planking. All other portions were fashioned in such a manner as to be bent or curved, and one end was apt to be much narrower than the other. Also, most such planks were far too heavy to be used in closing in a building.

But the deck planks, narrow, straight and smooth, made fine framing; secured in place by spikes driven through bored holes, they could be pried up and loosened, and Vineyarders, always alert for such gifts of the sea, seldom neglected an opportunity to secure such lumber.

The number of wrecks which have occurred along Island beaches will run into the hundreds. And there are instances where old vessels have been condemned and towed to shoal water to mingle with water above and mud below. But not the decks. These were salvaged and carefully handled for future building ashore.

While it is not easy to ascertain how many houses contain ship-timber, many barns, sheds and other farm buildings were framed with this durable wood. Rafters and joists may still be seen, bearing the telltale diamond inlay, made so the spike-head might be protected by a covering of wood, the last bedded in white lead which made the inlay watertight. Along edges of others, if builders were not too particular, may be found fragments of the caulking, oakum, with its seal of pitch still adhering to the wood which was once the side of a deck-seam.

Old-timers kept a kit of wrecking tools: crowbars, spike pullers, heavy saws and sledge-hammers or mauls. They were apt to have heavy wrenches also, for some bolts were to be found in vessel construction, and once a schooner had stranded, men gathered from all directions to obtain a share of what might be salvaged.

Often such wrecks were sold at auction, upon which the successful bidder took full possession. Yet he might welcome assistance, especially if assistance could be paid for with a share of the lumber or other items secured. There were other matters which might be removed from a wreck which could be used on Island farms.

Cabin doors have been seen on small farm buildings, and the curiously fashioned hinges for the same. Most farmers had use for blocks, and these could be removed from masts and spars by means of wrenches. Rigging of hemp or wire was always salable, likewise chain, but the planking, hatches and straight sections of other lumber went home to the farms.

Many a barn used to have two or three schooners’ hatches laid on a foundation to form the “brow” over which the farm wagons entered the building. Even houses were entered across a stoop or porch, the floor of which was a vessel’s hatch with the lifting-rings still on two of the corners, and the letter A prominently cut in the wood to indicate which edge went “aft” on the coamings.

But the sides of the vessel, the bulwarks, the inside ceiling and flooring found at the bottom of the holds were left. Seldom, indeed, were the poop-railings saved.

But never was a deck plank left. Did a single section drift ashore, it was carefully added to the home lumber pile. The potential builder of hen-house or porch would seek his neighbor and offer to purchase deck planks before he visited a lumberyard.

All this is interesting and revealing of a side of Vineyard life involving work that was rugged, back-breaking. Nobody really knows how many lengths of deck-planking may be concealed behind wall-board or plaster. But it is safe to say that there is considerable even today.

Compiled by Cynthia Meisner

library@mvgazette.com