William Bell, No. 24

The William Bell was built in Greenpoint, Long Island, New York, in 1863–64 by shipbuilder Edward F. Williams of Brooklyn for Joseph Henderson (pilot), William H. Anderson, John Van Dusen, and James Callahan. She was about 118 tons and cost about $16,000. She was built under James Callahan's supervision, inspection and approval. John W. Avery collected the money and made payments on behalf of the pilot owners.[1]

The William Bell was an expensive boat. She was built of white oak, live oak, red cedar, locust, hackmatack, yellow pine, and white pine. Her deck was "without a butt or knot," fastened with galvanized spikes, and was made of long and fine planking. All trimmings on deck were of mahogany or brass; her cabin was of "rose wood, zebra wood, tulip and satin wood."[2]

On August 11, 1864, during the American Civil War, William Bell, ventured too far out to sea and was captured and burned by the Confederate raiding steamer the CSS Tallahassee.[3] The objective in capturing the vessels was to secure a pilot who could take the Tallahassee into Long Island Sound. The William Bell was 70 miles east southeast of Sandy Hook. In the book, "From Sandy Hook to 62", Charles Edward Russell, describes the chase of the Tallahassee cruiser against William Bell. The Confederate colonel, John Taylor Wood ordered William Bell to be burned. Wood said "Turpentine her and set her on fire."[4]

After the loss of the "William Bell", a second "William Bell" was constructed by Edward F. Williams, in 1864-65. She was two feet longer and had more beam. On May 7, 1865, the William Bell, No. 24 was launched from the yard of Edward F. Williams, Greenpoint, New York. Her dimensions were: Length of keel, 82 feet; breadth of beam, 21 feet; depth of hold, 8 feet. The price of boats had gone up because of the war so the second William Bell cost about $24,000. She was a duplicate of the first and was built for speed, beauty, and strength.[1]

On March 7, 1867, the pilot boat William Bell lay full of water, a mile inside of the outer bar, eighteen miles east of Montauk Point, near the village of Amagansett, Long Island. There were four pilots on board at the time she struck the beach. She was part owned by Captain Joseph Henderson (5/16th). The vessel was reported as a total loss.[5] [6]

On February 17, 1883, Henderson, Van Deusen, Anderson, and Callahan petitioned the United States, via the Alabama Claims award, for compensation of their loss of the William Bell during the Civil War. Henderson and Callahan had to testify to their ownership and status as Sandy Hook pilots during the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. On June 5, 1883, Henderson and Callahan were compensated for their loss in the William Bell (Henderson for $6,170.31, as he owned 5/16 share).[7] [2]