Did you Know?

Old Sloop

Did you know that on September 8, 1814, the British frigate Nymph invaded Sandy Bay? One of her barges surprised and captured the barracks at the end of Bearskin Neck; when the second was seen entering the Old Harbor, the meetinghouse bell sounded the alarm. The crew shot at the bell to silence it and hit the steeple instead. Firing the shot, the carronade went through the bottom of the barge, and the crew was captured as they swam ashore. Their captain affected an exchange of prisoners and promised not to bother the town any more. The church (First Congregational Church of Rockport, United Church of Christ) still has the cannonball. The wooden replica that can be seen in the steeple was probably added in one of the later reconstructions. When Sandy Bay became the Town of Rockport in 1840, the meetinghouse was completely redecorated and the steeple enlarged to support a heavier bell. The fishermen conferred the nickname “The Old Sloop”. In 1842 the General Court released the meetinghouse to the Congregational Church.  

E.J. Lefavour

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