Gavel & Block

Object/Artifact

Edgartown Yacht Club

Name/Title

Gavel & Block

Entry/Object ID

CO.011

Description

Gavel & Block

Cataloged By

Kristin L Warriner

Location

Cabinet

Clubhouse Bridge Deck Cabinet

Date

August 20, 2026

Research Notes

Notes

Decades after the 1910 disaster, parts of the Mertie B. Crowley's heavy hull frames and timbers routinely washed up or became exposed on the shifting sands of East Beach on Chappaquiddick. Active Edgartown Yacht Club member Emil A. Kratovil (along with fellow club members Gordon Schall and Peter Sharp) discovered verified remains of the coastal schooner exposed on the shore. Recognizing the incredible history of the ship, the men harvested a small, sturdy supply of the Crowley's wooden ribs directly from the beach wreckage. They had this salvaged wood fashioned into a handsome block and gavel. This unique piece of maritime history was given to the club to be used officially during the Edgartown Yacht Club's annual meetings.

General Notes

Note

Plaque reads: Section of planking from the six masted schooner Mertie B. Crowley - built 1807 by Cobb, Butler & Co. - wrecked off East Beach January 23, 1910

Created By

Kristin L Warriner

Create Date

August 20, 2026

Updated By

Kristin L Warriner

Update Date

September 2, 2026