Black Rock Harbor Maritime Activity In the Late Spring

Shipping activity continued to thrive in the spring of 1776. The wharves on Black Rock harbor hosted smaller intercoastal shipping vessels. These would have included single-masted sloops, double-masted schooners and whaleboats which relied on oarsmen for propulsion.

Ultimately, the harbor became a base and depot for privateers; privately owned ships authorized to attack British shipping. Whaleboats were the primary vessels for transporting people and supplies across Long Island Sound. Caleb Brewster used these vessels extensively for his spying activities.

Shipping and trading were primarily with other seaports located on Long Island Sound as well as nearby Atlantic ports. Agricultural, seafood, livestock, and forestry related goods were the major exports while imports included rum, molasses, tea, sugar and textiles.