James Stafford

The James Stafford was a 19th-century Sandy Hook pilot boat built in 1888 for the New York Pilots. She took the place of the pilot boat Enchantress, that was lost in the Great Blizzard of 1888. She was named after James Stafford, one of the oldest and prominent shipping men of Brooklyn. She sank near Sandy Hook in 1898 when she ran into the Dry Romer shoal. At that time, the Stafford was one of the oldest pilot-boats still in service in a time when they were being replaced with steam pilot boats. Construction and service The New York pilot-boat James Stafford, No. 18, was launched on November 3, 1888 in Noank, Connecticut. She was christened by Flora P. Stafford, daughter of Frank Stafford of Brooklyn, New York. The boat was named after James Stafford, one of the oldest and prominent shipping men of Brooklyn. Two thousand people witnessed the launch including many prominent shipping merchants from the city. She took a trial trip to the Sandy Hook lightship. On return, a race took place between the new boat and the pilot-boat Hope, No. 1. Afterwards, she then arrived at her berth at Pier 8 in East River, New York City. The James Stafford took the place of the Enchantress, No. 18, that was lost in the Great Blizzard of 1888. The pilot boat is ownd by Joseph Nelson, Frederick Ryerson, Charles Anderson, James Mitchell, Oscar Stoffrelden. Nelson was one of the owners of the Enchantress. The Stafford, then took a position on the pilot station at Sandy Hook.