Whitehall -
Mystery surrounds the early history of the Whitehall.
Some hold that the Whitehall design was introduced from England. However, nautical historians Howard I. Chappelle, W. P. Stephens and others agree that the design came into existence some time in the 1820's in New York City, having first been built by navy yard apprentices who had derived their model to some extent from the old naval gig.
Quoting for "Rudder" magazine, August 1943, Captain Charlton L. Smith states a somewhat contrary view, "This delver into nautical lore has never been able to ascertain whether the Whitehall boat originated at Whitehall, New York, or at Whitehall, England. It is extremely likely from the latter place. At any rate the model of a "pure breed" Whitehall that was so useful a rowed-on-the gunnel workboat at Boston and at The Battery at New York City and, later, at San Francisco, evolved from the English Wherry."Quoting John Gardner, "The Whitehall was not a ship's boat, but a vehicle of harbour and coastwise transportation. Intended primarily to be rowed, but capable of a good showing under sail as well, it was fast, seaworthy, and trim. Whitehalls were in great demand in the days of sail on the waterfront of a big commercial port such as was New York City in the early nineteenth century. Not only were these boats the choice of crimps and boarding house runners, but of nearly everyone else as well who required reliable and expeditious transportation about the waterfront from one part of the harbour to another ship chandlers, brokers, newspaper reporters, insurance agents, doctors, pilots, ship's officers, port officials, and many others."
The Whitehall represents an example of a "golden period" of marine design and craftsmanship!
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