Shipbuilding

the bangor steamer, 1843-4 / Library of Congress

Off-chance repair leads to first iron shipbuilding in USA

by Dave Tabler

Above: The Bangor, first iron steamer in America, built 1843-4 In 1842 the Wilmington outfit Betts, Pusey and Harlan, a builder of railroad cars, was a modest 20 person operation. That was all about to… Read More »Off-chance repair leads to first iron shipbuilding in USA

model of a sailing ram / bethel maritime museum

The ‘Chesapeake ram’ put Bethel, DE on the map

by Dave Tabler

Bethel wasn’t the only successful shipbuilding town in 19th century Delaware. Wilmington, Smyrna, and Milford could all lay claim to strength in that industry. But Bethel, thanks to its location on the Nanticoke River, had… Read More »The ‘Chesapeake ram’ put Bethel, DE on the map