New York Harbor and Ships (1776)
Imported from TimeWalkOrg/Manhattan wiki
Periods: Manhattan 1776
In 1776, New York harbor would have been filled with ships. It was probably hard to see over the East River given all the masts. And “rebel” prisoners were kept on prison ships floating in the Navy Yard basin from ~1776-1782. We should…
- Build piers along the East River shore of Manhattan (… how many?)
- Buy or build at least 10 large ships tied up at the piers (see below for ship types)
- Types: 1 Dutch Fluyt (merchant ship), 2 british merchant ships, 2 Brigs, 3 Schooners, 1 Man-of-War, 1 Sloop
- Buy or build 10 unique smaller boats (rowboats, whaling boats)
- Make 2 aged/rotted versions of HMS Vanguard to use as prison ships in Navy Yard basin
- Boat models need to have “sails down” version
Helpful ChatGPT Research here
Types of Ships
Q: What kinds of ships would have been in the New York harbor in 1775? Need specific types that I can go find 3D models for. A:
- Schooner (25%): A fast, small sailing ship with two or more masts, commonly used by privateers. Highly favored for coastal trade and privateering, likely a common sight.
- Brig (20%): A two-masted sailing vessel with square rigging on both masts. Popular for both commercial and naval use, versatile for various tasks.
- Merchant Ships (20%): Various types, used for trade, often converted for wartime use. Vital for trade, a significant portion of the harbor traffic,.
- Sloop (15%): A single-masted vessel, often used by the British Navy and privateers. Widely used by both the British Navy and privateers, especially for patrolling and fast transportation.
- Man-of-War (10%): Large, heavily armed naval ship. Representing the British Royal Navy’s strength, but less in number due to their large size and specialized role.
- Frigate (10%): A medium-sized warship, faster and lighter than a man-of-war. Important for wartime efforts, but not as numerous as smaller, more versatile ships.
Nationality of Ships
In 1776, the percentage of non-British ships in New York Harbor would have been relatively small due to the British naval blockade and the tensions leading up to the American Revolutionary War. Here’s a rough estimation:
- Non-British Ships: Approximately 10-15%. This estimate considers the British dominance and restrictive measures in place during this period.
Nationalities of non-British ships and trading partners:
- Dutch: Known for their extensive trading network, the Dutch would likely have some presence.
- French: Prior to their official entry into the war in 1778, French trade ships might have been present, albeit discreetly.
- Spanish: Spain, like France, was not officially involved until later but may have had some trade ships.
- Other European Countries: Smaller amounts of trade vessels from other European nations like Portugal or Scandinavian countries.