Rebecca R. Douglas - Schooner

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Rebecca R. Douglas - Schooner

Coasting Schooner “Rebecca R. Douglas” had a raised deck for carrying kiln dried lumber, and later coconuts, for the Baker Extract Company of Philadelphia. The vessel was built for Edwin DeForest Douglas (1845-1911), a packing box manufacturer from Philadelphia, and named for his second wife, Rebecca Rhodes (Ruedi) Douglas (1865-). The schooner was said to be a beautiful, a fine sailor and an easy ship to handle.

"May 2, 1943 - Coastal yacht “Alabaster” (Pyc21), directed to the scene by blimp K4, rescues two survivors from the U.S. schooner “Rebecca R. Douglas,” which had gone down on 28 April while on route from New York to Brazil, at 38º17’N, 71º46’W [off of Cape May]. Coast Guard lighthouse tender “Laurel” (WAGL 291) finds only an overturned lifeboat. Remainder of search proves negative." - "The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II" by Robert Cressman, Naval Institute Press, 2000, p. 158.

The marine chronometer from the vessel was removed from the ship before the ship sunk and is still preserved and in working condition. There was likely a second chronometer that was used on the ship for its last trip before sinking. The chronometer that has survived was made by Thomas Porthouse, ca. 1850 in London. When it was assigned to the Rebecca R. Douglas it was already close to a century old, and yet its accuracy could still be certified for ongoing service at sea. (Information from Andrew Baron, Santa Fe, NM.)

Vessel Name – Rebecca R. Douglas
Class – coasting schooner
Hull - wood
Masts –3
Rig – ketch rig
Designed by –
Build date - 1894
Built by – Kelly, Spear & Co.
Built at – Bath, Maine
Built for – Edwin DeForest Douglas (1845-1911), a packing box manufacturer
Named for – Edwin’s 2nd wife, Rebecca Rhodes Ruedi (1865-)
Power – engine – when rebuilt?
Gross tons - 475
Net tons –
Capacity -
Length – 138.8’
Beam – 33.9’
Depth – 9.5’
Crew – 6