AOWV lists two masters, Heman B. and H. B., both with the same master number (AM2102). The author believes that they are the same person, referred to here as Heman.
Little information could be found about Heman or his family. Two census reports for Sag Harbor NY for 1850 and 1860 show Heman B. Gardiner as age 23 and 33 respectively, suggesting that he was born about 1827. Two newspaper reports in the New London Daily Chronicle also suggest a possible connection with Sag Harbor. The August 24, 1850 edition reports “H. B. Gardner of Sag Harbor” arriving at New London’s City Hotel on August 23 and its October 4, 1850 issue reports the arrival of “H. B. Gardner, F. E. Gardner, Sag Harbor” at that hotel on October 3. The dates are curious because DROMO (see below) is reported to have sailed on October 3. The crew list for that voyage show “Frederich Gardener” and “W. Gardineri”, both of Sag Harbor, as members of the crew. Allowing for hard to read handwriting, might these two be Heman and a brother? F. E. and H. B.? These snippets of information also indicate a Sag Harbor NY connection. Might H. B. have been born there? These are avenues for a committed researcher to visit.
Heman served as master on three voyages on three ships, two with New London as home port and one with New Bedford as home port.
DROMO (AS1232, New London): (ship, 307 tons, built in Plymouth MA in 1828, withdrawn and sold in 1860). DROMO sailed on October 3, 1850 for the No. Pacific and returned on May 2, 1854. Thomas Fitch II was the agent. AV03866. Did Heman and his brother arrive at City Hotel in anticipation of DROMO’s departure? The original master when DROMO sailed was Norman Starr (AM4687). He was followed in succession by Moses J. Buddington(AM0712), Leonard Brownson (AM0701), and Heman. Dennis Wood Abstract 2-179, while describing DROMO’s many port stops providing an opportunity for a change of master, makes no mention of these changes of command. Presumably Heman was on board when DROMO ended its voyage.
VERNON (AS0670, New Bedford): (bark, 307 tons, built in Medford MA in 1839, withdrawn and sold in Honolulu in 1857, withdrawn for the San Francisco trade in 1859). VERNON sailed on October 8, 1854. Dennis Wood Abstract 3-299 reports: “Ar at Honolulu Dec. 6 [probably 1856] in distress, having been run into Dec 3 by a clipper whaleship and lost main and mizzen masts, starboard bulwarks, davits, rigging, bow cut down, jib boom gone. The ship was the Eliza B. Mason of N.B.” Wood continues: “Sold Nov, 1857 to R. Coady for $9,000, to hail from Honolulu”. Charles Hitch & Son was the agent. AV15125.
VENICE (AS2553 New London): (bark, 354 tons, length 108 ft. built in Kennebunk ME in 1834, withdrawn in 1859, sold in Calcutta in 1863). VENICE sailed on October 11, 1854 for the No. Pacific and returned on May 17, 1858. Jeremiah Lester, Jr. (AM3094) was master when VENICE sailed. Heman became replacement master when Jeremiah left the ship. Dennis Wood Abstract 3-575 describes the change: “Ar Honolulu Nov 22 [1857]…Gardner Master (late of Vernon) for home…Arrived May 17, 1858”. Apparently Heman left VERNON when it was sold in November and assumed command of VENICE on Jeremiah’s departure. AV15111. Weaver, Rogers & Co. was the agent. AV15111.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text.
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
October 2025