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 Black Mariners - Portsmouth, NH
N 43° 04.765 W 070° 45.499
19T E 356865 N 4771134
This historical marker is one of the stops along the Black Heritage Trail, describing the work life of Black mariners in Portsmouth, Hew Hampshire, over 200 years.
Waymark Code: WMJ0TV
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 09/06/2013
Views: 1
This historical marker is attached to a red brick wall along Ceres Street, next to the harbor; it reads:
PORTSMOUTH
Black Heritage Trail
Black Mariners
Enslaved and free Black men in Portsmouth were
seafarers from the mid 1700s through 1865. In the
early 1800s seafaring was one of the few
occupations open here for free Blacks, who sought
economic equality as mariners despite the hardships
of life at sea. Ashore, Blacks worked as truckmen
and stevedores along this dock area.
By the close of the Civil War, changing hiring
practices excluded Blacks from ships' crews. At
sea they were limited to service as cooks and
stewards, even in the U.S. Navy, until
after World War II.
"Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail
Site #15
Waterfront
Ceres Street
Portsmouth Waterfront Enslaved marines were part of the Portsmouth scene by 1727. They worked mostly in the Atlantic coastal and West Indies trades, and some sailed in the Revolution. In freedom, black Yankees continued working at this dangerous and undesirable occupation in numbers disproportionate to their portion of the total population. Most black people in Portsmouth lived within a few blocks of the river. Jobs as mariners, stevedores and truckmen were available in places like Ceres Street, which is little changed since 1805. At sea, the need to cooperate for safety in severe conditions and for mutual support against harsh captains fostered inter-racial egalitarianism and friendships. Black Jacks Employers gave equal pay and rank to qualified black mariners; some became officers on New England's dangerous whaling ships. The reasonable pay enabled them to purchase modest homes, raise families, start businesses, or move to more promising towns. Mid-century brought change. Responsibility for hiring crews shifted from owners or captains to shipping masters, who hired white mariners over black. By 1850, black men at sea were limited to the roles of cook, steward, or cabin servant. By the 1860s black mariners were remembered as a feature of Portsmouth's past; a long tradition had ended." SOURCE
Relevent website: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
None, the historical marker is along a public right of way, so it it accessible 24/7.
Entrance fees (if any):
None
Sponsor(s): Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail
Parking coordinates: Not Listed
Date dedicated: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please submit at least one photo taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). Photos of yourself are preferred, but GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background. Old vacation photos are also allowed. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit. Please list anything that has changed since the waymark was created.
When taking photos at the memorials in this category, please keep in mind the nature of the location and do not post "goofy" or disrespectful pictures.
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