The Swampscott Dory
Dories are synonymous with New England, especially the fishing and boat-building communities of Essex County. The most widely known is the Banks dory, developed by Gloucester fishermen for use on the Grand Banks. For coastal work, whether it be for fishing, lobstering, or sailing for sport, the Swampscott dory is hard to beat.
Double-ended, flat-bottomed, round-sided, small (12 to 19 feet) but seaworthy, the Swampscott Dory was developed to meet the needs of the local fishermen who fished, "off the beach". Each morning they hauled their boats into the water and rowed out into Nahant Bay to fish and lobster. With their catch aboard, they would either row back home, or, if their vessel were equipped with a free-standing mast and sail, set-up their rig and run-in before the prevailing South-westerly wind in the afternoon. With their catch off-loaded into a horse-drawn cart, they would then haul their boats back up above the surf line.
Swampscott dories are distinguished from other types by their round sided, lap-straked construction. The pointy bow and narrow bottom makes for easier rowing. The flare in the middle provides lots of room to work and store fish. The tombstone stern is high and narrow to keep following seas from swamping. The knuckles of the lapstraked, round sides, improves it sailing qualities, while its flat-bottom allows it to be hauled over the beach on a couple of rollers.
By the end of the 18th Century, the dory was being used more for pleasure than for work. The boats continued to evolve reaching their culmination in a decked-over version that you might recognize today as a Town Class sail boat.
Many fishermen built their own boats, but over the centuries several names have become associated with dory construction. Shortly after the American Revolution, Simeon Lowell started building boats from a shop on the Merrimack River in Amesbury. Until quite recently, his descendants continued to build boats from this same site. The Lowell Boat Company is still in business, is still located at the same site, though these days is being run as an apprentice work shop.
The last commercial builder in town was George L. Chaisson whose shop was on Elmwood Road. His shop was opened around 1916 and continued until 1954. Other notable builders were Fred Dion of Salem, E. Gerry Emmons of Swampscott, William Henry Chamberlain of Marblehead, and Jesse P. Hammond whose shop was in Danversport.
There is currently one lone Swampscott dory (see note) still sailing and rowing out of Swampscott Harbor. Built around 1982 by the Lowell Boat Co, it is a 14-foot, wooden, finished bright (varnished) version named Hunky. She has 8-foot spruce oars and a large, single sail mounted on a sliding Gunter rig. Hunky is owned by Past-Commodore, David W. Brewin.
Note: Last minute note from Dave W. Brewin - "We do have a second dory in the harbor, thanks to the generosity of Life Member Tom Boyce. Tom donated his 17-foot dory to the club this past season. It was built in Maine about 18-years ago and I will provide the builder's name as soon as I can find it. Like Hunky, it is rigged for sailing and I can report from personal experience that she is a lively sailor". -