MILTON MEMORIES

MITON MEMORIES

COASTAL TRADE SAILING SCHOONERS

MANNED BY MILTONIANS

Once upon a time Milton made schooners , manned by Miltonians sailed the Atlantic

coast, proud as any other on the ocean trade traffic lanes. Times change, so did the

Broadkill River. It is hard to believe that shipping and shipbuilding was Milton's big

money making source. The shipyards at the foot of Union ad Federal, Chestnut Street

have disappeared. Schooners, such as the Henry Waddington, are now memories and

paintings. Between 1814 and late 1880's , 135 ocean going vessels were built and

captained by Milton residents.

Milton is seven miles from the Delaware Bay, at the head of navigation of Broadkill

River. Milton had excellent facilities for shipping.

Baptist Lay of Drawbridge, east of Milton on the Broadkill, is the father of shipbuilding

in Milton, his first ship being built in late 18^th century. Cornelius Coulter, became

engaged in shipbuilding in 1800. Shipbuilding reached it's peak at Milton during the Civil

War and began tapering off in 1880. The availability of white oak, the railroad, steam

power steel bottom ships, led to it's end.

Captain T. C. Conwell owns the painting of the Schooner Henry Waddington, a black

hulled schooner. Milton was once called Conwell's Landing so he goes back away in

in Milton and the Broadkill .

The Henry Waddington, a post Civil War vessel built in Milton, 1881 by David H.

Atkins, owned and sailed by Captain William H. Megee of Milton.

Abstract: William Frank, Wilmington Morning News, 17 July 1957, Harrison H.