History

The Boston Waterboat Marina, located on the north side of Long Wharf in Boston, has a rich history dating back to the 1860s. The Cannon family has occupied this site since 1864, originally operating the Boston Waterboat Company to supply potable water to vessels in Boston Harbor. For over a century, their business played a crucial role in maritime operations, ensuring ships had access to fresh drinking water. In the 1960s, as the nature of Boston’s waterfront evolved, the family transitioned their business from water delivery to marina operations, establishing the Boston Waterboat Marina.

In 1965, John Lewis became the marina’s first customer. He pulled up and asked Larry Cannon if he could keep his boat on an extra float that was tied up in front of the water boat, marking the beginning of the marina’s transition into a welcoming space for boaters of all kinds.

Today, under the management of Chris Cannon, the marina continues to thrive, welcoming a diverse array of boats ranging from small local vessels to luxurious mega yachts. The marina provides a vital service to both local boating enthusiasts and visiting vessels, maintaining the longstanding maritime tradition of hospitality and service. Whether it’s a plumber from Dorchester bringing his family for the night to catch a Red Sox game and enjoy dinner in the North End, or an industry tycoon breaking bread with fellow boaters, the marina fosters a welcoming environment where all are treated as equals. People from all over Greater Boston arrive by boat to experience everything the city has to offer, from its rich history to its vibrant dining and entertainment scene.

Over the years, Long Wharf has undergone significant transformations, evolving from a commercial shipping hub to a modern waterfront destination. Once lined with warehouses and counting houses, it now serves as a popular area for tourism, dining, and recreational boating. Despite these changes, the Boston Waterboat Marina has remained a steadfast presence on the waterfront, adapting to the times while preserving its deep-rooted connection to Boston Harbor. As a family-owned and operated business for over 150 years, it continues to be a welcoming haven for mariners, upholding the legacy of the Cannon family and their enduring commitment to Boston’s maritime community.

One of the prominent structures on Long Wharf was John Hancock’s Counting House, built in 1763. This building, which still stands today as the Chart House restaurant, played a significant role in Boston’s commercial activities during the colonial era. Notably, it features John Hancock’s original wall safe, still embedded in the brick wall of the second-floor dining room.

Long Wharf also holds a significant place in American colonial history due to the events of October 1, 1768. On this day, British warships arrived in Boston Harbor, and troops disembarked at Long Wharf to begin the military occupation of the city. This show of force was intended to suppress the growing unrest following the implementation of the Townshend Acts. Paul Revere captured this moment in his engraving titled “A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New England and British Ships of War Landing Their Troops! 1768,” which depicts British soldiers marching down Long Wharf into the city.

The arrival of British troops at Long Wharf marked a turning point, escalating tensions that would eventually lead to the American Revolution. The soldiers marched from the wharf up King Street (now State Street) to the Town House, asserting British authority in a city increasingly resistant to colonial rule.

Throughout its history, Long Wharf has symbolized the dynamic flow of movement in Boston, from the landing of British troops to its modern function as a ferry hub. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to Boston’s rich maritime heritage and its role in shaping the nation’s history.

The marina’s history is deeply tied to the waterboats that once serviced the harbor. One notable example is the Maggie Cannon, a waterboat built in Essex, Massachusetts, in 1897 by John Prince Story for her Boston owners. Similar in many respects to the Aqua Pura, the Maggie Cannon had register dimensions of 34.7 feet in length, a beam of 14.4 feet, and a depth of 4.4 feet, with a gross tonnage of 13.33 and a net tonnage of 10.77. Waterboats employed in other New England ports were generally smaller than those in Boston, tailored to fit local needs.

The Maggie Cannon, like many waterboats of the time, was a catboat-rigged vessel. Her gaff-mainsail had a moderate area with two or three reef-bands, and she often carried a larger “summer mainsail” in warmer months and a smaller “winter mainsail” when necessary. The rigging was simple yet effective, featuring a single halyard for hoisting the gaff-mainsail and a bridle on the gaff. The main boom was equipped with a topping lift, akin to those found on fishing schooners. The vessel also had single-part shrouds, small deadeyes and lanyards for tensioning, and a single headstay secured with turnbuckles after 1890.

The deck arrangement of these waterboats varied, but typically included a single timber bitt for securing lines, a mast set about six feet from the stem, and a gooseneck or wooden jaws for supporting the main boom. Many waterboats also had two hatches, one forward and another amidships, providing access to the wooden water tanks and cargo hold. The force pump, usually a manual type, was placed slightly abaft the mid-length of the boat, with a discharge hose coiled on deck. Pump boxes for sheet-iron bilge pumps were installed near the wooden water tanks, ensuring efficient water transfer operations.

A defining feature of these boats was the standing well, or cockpit, positioned about six feet abaft the pump dome. The rudder stock was controlled with a short tiller, and the mainsheet system included two single blocks, leading to a cleat secured on the king plank near the rudder stock. Wooden cleats were installed inside the lograil for additional line handling, ensuring the vessel was well-equipped for harbor service.