Priscilla (Long Island Sound Oyster Sloop)
Why it's listed
Priscilla is a 60-foot wooden oyster sloop built in 1888 at Patchogue, Long Island, by Elisha Saxton. She is a classic "south-sider," with a wide beam, shallow draft, low freeboard for hauling heavy dredges, a clipper bow and a gaff-rigged sail plan. She worked the oyster beds of Great South Bay and Long Island Sound during the peak of the American oyster industry, when oysters were the country's chief fishery product. Later owners changed her rig and dredging gear in the 1950s, added a fiberglass shell around 1967 and re-rigged her as a schooner. The Long Island Maritime Museum acquired her in 1976 and carried out a 19-month restoration in 2002-2003. It removed the fiberglass and returned her to her 1920s appearance. She is regarded as the oldest surviving sailing work boat of the Great South Bay oyster fleet, and she now teaches visitors about the oyster fishery.
Significance in brief: She is described as the oldest and only sailing work boat to survive from the Great South Bay oyster fleet. She is an outstanding example of an early oyster sloop type dating to the 1830s, built at the peak of the American oyster industry. Her significance runs from her construction in 1888 to 1953, when the last owner to work her changed her rig and dredging gear.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06000238, listed February 17, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Waterfront, Long Island Maritime Museum, 84 West Ave., West Sayville |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | February 17, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000238 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1888-1953 |
| Architect / builder | Elisha Saxton |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Maritime History, Transportation, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 17, 2006 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored over 19 months in 2002-2003 to her 1920s appearance; no longer harvests oysters and is used by the museum for education about Long Island's maritime heritage. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.72229, -73.09588 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 06000238.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7245572
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.