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Dreadnought and the Clipper City

Members of the Custom House Maritime Museum and their guests are cordially invited to our First Friday Social on October 5th from 6:00-8:00pm, as we explore and celebrate the maritime heritage of Newburyport and the Merrimack River valley.

This First Friday we welcome Newburyport resident, meticulous model shipwright, longtime museum member, docent and talented nautical storyteller, Alex Bellinger who will deliver the goods on perhaps the most famous of all Newburyport-built vessels -- Dreadnought -- and her legendary master, Captain Samuel Samuels.

Intense competition to be first-in-port with valuable commercial goods was a driving force in the shipbuilding industry, and inspired many advances in sailing ship construction.  Thus on October 6, 1853, from the Currier & Townsend shipyard in Newburyport was launched Dreadnought, built especially for fast cargo and passenger service between New York and Liverpool. She would become one of the most celebrated ships of the age. "Wild boat of the Atlantic" she was called, and operated in the Red Cross Line under the command of Captain Samuel Samuels.  During her first two years of service alone, she made twenty six passages between New York and Liverpool across the mighty Atlantic ocean.

Join us for what promises to be an engaging exploration of one of Newburyport's most celebrated ships and share a glimpse into historic saga that all began here. 

We encourage all members to invite a guest to this event who may be interested in joining our museum.  Treat them to a relaxing evening of conversation, company and maritime discovery in the heart of downtown Newburyport.

For your refreshment, wine, beer and soft drinks will be served. Sheila Mullins' highly acclaimed Spice Trade Culinary Adventure introduces us to yet another new and delicious port of call. So, don't be late!  We proudly feature the great and distinctive beers of Harpoon Brewery, the official beer of the Custom House Maritime Museum.