Day 16: Aug 3: Beginning around 8:30 a.m. it began to rain intermittently until about 10:30. We brought the boat into the marina and tied up at a finger pier right next to the travel lift as instructed. We spent the day onboard waiting for Peter (we were told he worked with electronics) to arrive. At about 1:30 he came aboard to take a look at the motor and pump and agreed that was the problem. At about 3:30 he reappeared and said he could not find that particular pump anywhere. He asked John for specs on the pump so he could find something compatible. As is usually the case, John was able to put his finger on the information. Thankfully the previous owner kept meticulous files.
Here are two views of us on the pier. Although this stop wasn't a part of our original plans there is a bright side. We are sheltered in the town of Hounsfield on Black River Bay in a village that is a designated New York State Heritage area. Since we will undoubtedly be here for longer than I'd like, we will be able to explore this quaint village and its history.
John likes to keep busy when we are stopped for the day so he decided to see about replacing the prop on the dinghy engine. He had noticed it was not working correctly when he took the dinghy into the marina last night. He told me the bushing on the propeller had started slipping and noted he had another one onboard. Not so lucky this time, the replacement prop was from a different motor so he put the old one back on until we are able to get a new one.
In the meantime I took a walk around the town. Since we will be here for awhile, I wanted to find out where various historical sites were and learn more about the village. The town is lovely. Whether from the 1800's or newly constructed, the houses and shops are full of character. With a focus on beautifying the main street, the village created a "peace garden" along the entire walkway. Gardens flourish around quaint sitting areas tucked in behind a stone wall or fence. Hollyhocks and white hydrangeas are magnificent. Many have farmers' porches, one of my favorite features on any house. I can picture folks enjoying these outdoor rooms, "sittin n rockin" as they watch tourists stroll up and down the street
Perhaps because Sackets Harbor played a significant role in the War of 1812 the people who live here embrace the town's history, evident by the American flags and banners flying everywhere.
Blue signs like these describing various landmarks can also be seen around the village. Here, for example, is one highlighting "Blockhouse". Structures like these were built for defense purposes during the War of 1812.
The Union Hotel can't be missed when you are strolling through town. Also known as Barrow's Hotel, it was built in 1817-1818; it served as a hotel into the 1860's and then a Masonic Lodge. In 1972 New York State acquired it to be used as a visitors center. In 2000 it reopened as the Seaway Trail Discovery Center to provide visitors with an overview of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail. Unfortunately it is now permanently closed. The stone architecture and the size of the building are impressive.
Day 17: August 4: Another cool start to the day so another good walk for me. Peter told us he was still waiting for an email regarding what pump we would be able to get. John thinks he might be waiting for the main marine electronics guy to come back from vacation next week. It's all rather frustrating but we are making lemonade out of lemons and decided to visit the sites, starting with the Pickering Beach Museum.
For over 100 years this was the home of the Pickering Beach family before being left, along with its contents, to the Village of Sackets Harbor by Amy Beach Ewers, the great granddaughter of the original owner Joshua Pickering. In 1813 Joshua, along with his daughter and son, came to work and live in the midst of soldiers and ships of wartime Sackets Harbor. Little else is known about him but it is assumed he did finish-carpentry on ships in the harbor. In 1816 he purchased the property on which he would later build his house for $200.
The house was built on the edge of the Smith Cantonment and Fort Tompkins. This fortified area saw action during the battle of May 1813. Thousands of soldiers, stationed here to defend naval shipbuilding, turned Sacket's settlement into a wartime boomtown. The grounds are full of grapeshot and other evidence of the battle and the soldiers. Archaeological digs have also unearthed artifacts from the native Onondaga people.
Joshua's son Augustus inherited the house upon Joshua's death in 1822. He married Caroline White and together they established a successful shipping business and had six children. Unfortunately success did not last and Augustus suffered financially and mentally. To make matters worse, he discovered his new ship the Columbia was one inch too wide to fit through the Welland Canal locks. This must have been the final straw for Augustus as he committed suicide, leaving wife Caroline to care for their five children (one of the six had previously died).
Olivia Pickering, one of the five ended up marrying Allen Beach who was eventually elected Lieutenant Governor of NY and also served as Secretary of State. Olivia and Allen had one daughter, Amy who bequeathed the family home to the village. The Beaches were the most prominent summertime residents of Sackets Harbor until Allen's death.
John and I both love antique furniture so we thoroughly enjoyed viewing the interesting collections and artifacts original to the house as well as various other pieces donated to the museum over time. One particular item was a desk owned by Ulysses S. Grant who had been stationed here at Madison Barracks. I also learned more about the church bells I mentioned in a previous post. Marietta Pickering Hay gifted a set of nine carillon bells to the United Presbyterian Church tin 1893 to honor the family's legacy. When the original church burned down in 1899 she donated a set of ten bells as well as money for the rebuild. It was her way to "let the music ring" for the next 100 years. It's fun to learn more about something we've already enjoyed so much! By the way, the framed wreath below is made from hair of someone who had passed.
We have visited the Scackets Harbor battlefield also. I'll write about that tomorrow.
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