Egbert Circa 1885

The Egbert

Egbert Was built in Buzzards Bay in 1885 as a sailing cat boat to drag scallop nets along the shoals of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Around the turn of the century she was converted to power and was used in many ways. Egbert was used as a fire boat, a cod fishing boat, and was often seen towing beetle cat boats to and from racing events. 

The 1938 hurricane hit Rhode Island and did not spare the Egbert. The extreme high tides left her high atop the pilings. Ever resourceful Stanley arranged for her to lifted by crane. The photograph remains one of the most iconic images in Rhode Island State history.

In 1983, Stanley’s grandsons, Kevin and Steve Terhune, did a major refit on the vessel. Since that time, she has been retired for pleasure only. Egbert has been used for two family weddings as well as many other celebrations. 

Today she can be seen cruising Narragansett Bay or ferrying a large crew to the Bristol 4th of July Parade!

The Egbert and the Stanley’s Boat Yard Family were most recently presented with the Elizabeth Sargent Warren Award from the Barrington Preservation Society. The committee decided that Egbert represents a remarkable effort to maintain a classic boat as well as a 4th generation family run business, thriving in the town of Barrington.