Sources on AOWV often provide clues as to a master’s date or place of birth or death or age when joining a crew. In this case, those sources provide no clues about William. With no available information about William other than his name, the author was unable to find any genealogical or family information on Ancestry.com, Family Search, or newspapers.com, usually reliable sources, even with minimal data points. Without further information, William will remain a mystery.
AOWV records William as master of two voyages on one ship, home port New London:
MARY ANN (AS1878): (brig, 186 tons, length 79’, built in New London in 1810, withdrawn in 1822). It sailed on August 1, 1820 for the Coast of Brazil (Decker), returned on June 1, 1821. It sailed again on June 26, 1821 (a quick turnaround) for the Brazil Bank (AOWV), returned on May 23, 1822. Daniel Deshon was agent for both voyages. AV09287 and AV09288 respectively.
Colby records William as William Coffin, Decker as Wm. Coffin, Starbuck as —Coffin. AOWV adds IV to this name, without identifying a source.
The Connecticut Ship Database lists MARY ANN’s trade as “coastal trade”, yet it returned with over 400 barrels of whale and/or sperm oil on each voyage. This database also notes that MARY ANN was altered and remeasured in 1816. There is no indication if the dimensions noted above are those before or after remeasurement.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text.
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
January 2025