There is another master with a similar name, Henry Comstock (AM6010) who is the subject of another paper. Several of the sources only show the last name Comstock, so one has to pay attention to dates of voyages to avoid attributing a voyage to the wrong Henry. Some of Henry S.’s voyage occurred about the same time as Henry’s, others were well after Henry’s death in 1854. The author found no “S.” in connection with any reference to Henry (AM6010).
To add to the confusion, AOWV shows for Henry S. the same birth information (“Groton, CT (c. 1811”)) and name of wife (“Delia Perkins?”) as appears for Henry. There is documentation of the information for Henry, but without other identifying personal data the author was unable to find distinguishing information about Henry S. The author concludes that there two masters named Henry Comstock operating in the same business about the same time.
This Henry (AM1279) was master for three voyages on three ships with New London as home port:
WILLIAM T. WHEATON (AS2621): (bark, 438 tons, built Warren RI in 1844) . It sailed on August 29, 1850 for the N. Pacific. Dennis Wood Abstract 2-677 reports that the ship was lost 60 miles off San Francisco on March 29, 1855. It was a total lost but all the crew were saved. James Green (AM2299), the master on departure, left the ship late in the voyage and was replaced by Henry.
Decker shows the master as —– Comstock. Colby does not record this voyage. James Green was the agent as well as master. AV15717.
NEPTUNE (AS2032): (bark, 285 tons, length 94’, built in New Bedford in 1809, withdrawn in 1857, sold and broken up in Hawaii). It sailed in 1850. Isaac Allen (AM0118) was the master on departure, James Green was the second replacement master, and Henry was the final master. Williams & Haven was the agent. AV10376.
MONTICELLO (AS1978): (bark, 350 tons, length 106’, built in Rochester MA in 1841). Dennis Wood Abstract 4-445 reports “Abandoned in the ice of Wainwright Inlet [Alaska] Arctic Ocean Sept. 14, 1871.” Henry, the master when it sailed on November 18, 1865, left the ship, to be followed by four replacement masters. Richard Chappell was the agent. AV10047.
Henry served as master or replacement master on five voyages on three ships with home ports other than New London: EDWARD L. FROST (AS2813, home port San Francisco) for its 1854-1855, 1855-1856, and 1857-1858 voyages; FORTUNE (AS0224, home port New Bedford) for its 1856-1861 voyage, its final voyage since it became part of Stone Fleet 1 and was sunk in December 1861; and METROPOLIS (AS1858), for its 1858 voyage.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text.
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
January 2025