Fascinating NYC Maritime History Provides Lessons for Teachers
by Sybil Maimin

From the beginning, New York City has been shaped by its proximity to the sea. The National Maritime Historical Society believes more of the city’s rich maritime history should be incorporated into school curricula; to achieve this end, it is offering Teacher Training Seminars that give fascinating in-depth looks at how the sea and the city have interacted.

A recent session that focused on Revolutionary War relations with the English in this port town addressed the question of riots. Professor Thomas Wermuth of Marist College noted that the famous New York (and Boston) Tea Party in which protesters threw tea overboard in the harbor was simply a continuation of an ongoing history of rioting in this country. Earlier, local gangs in impressment riots challenged the British practice of getting crews for their ships by “impressing,” or kidnapping, fisherman in the harbor. Also, to combat food shortages, locals stormed food stores and took grain and salt.; a gang burned down a smallpox hospital in the 1740s because it was not welcome in their town. Vigilantes regularly tackled all sorts of matters considered threats to their communities since local authorities lacked the power and will to protect them. People saw crowd actions as a right, and British policy was simply something new to riot against.

Group actions continued after the Revolution, including the 1839 New York grain riot and numerous attacks on shopkeepers who were sometimes viewed suspiciously because they did not produce anything and might deal in imported goods. A successful riot was more like a demonstration and produced no destruction. A riot could last half an hour, long enough to accomplish a goal such as taking grain, or could go through the night if the crowd was very worked up.

The first police force in New York City was established for riot control, and armories were built from 1840 to 1870 to store weapons partly for containing riots. The growth of capitalism and respect for private property as well as the exploitation of riots by some criminal elements led to greater support for containment.

Riots, or crowd actions, continue in this country to this day. Condoned by authorities who issue permits and by the media that looks for a good story, riots can also get out of hand. But they are all part of a tradition as old as the first settlements.

The National Maritime Society provides fascinating information and practical lessons to bring to students in classrooms throughout the country. #

For further information: 1-800-221-6647

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