Merrill's Wharf - New Bedford, MA
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 41° 38.019 W 070° 55.258
19T E 339997 N 4610884
Merrill's Wharf was a busy part of New Bedford's whaling industry.
Waymark Code: WMMQEZ
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 10/25/2014
Views: 3
The National Parks Service sign reads in part:
"Merrill's Wharf
On the other side of the Bourne Counting House, the
granite building in front of you, is Merrill's Wharf,
completed in 1847. The wharf was then the longest
in New Bedford's port. Built by Edward Merrill for
an expanding whaling fleet, this wharf outfitted
hundreds of vessels for voyage and offloaded them
on return. The wharf provided a shipyard, pump-
and block maker, blacksmith shop, spar shop, paint
shop, and space to store 20,000 barrels of whale oil.
Ship carpenters, caulkers, spar makers, riggers,
sailmakers, stevedores, ship keepers, coopers,
gaugers and oil fillers scurried about Merrill's Wharf,
readying ships for the rigors of the sea. The return of a
ship to port brought merchants, mechanics, and
loved ones to welcome home the crew and appraise
the ffloaded bounty."
Group that erected the marker: National Park Service
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Merrill's Wharf
New Bedford, MA USA
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