Staten Island Was Once an Oyster Capital

Oysters are coming back to Staten Island, via the Living Breakwater project. This makes a lot of sense, as Staten Island was once an oyster capital of the United States and the world.

1. Native American Indians Harvested Oysters

Native American Indians harvested oysters off the coast of Staten Island. The Lenape tribe — specifically the Tappan, Hackensack, and Raritan sub-tribes — traveled from the mainland to Staten Island to feast on oysters and also used them to make jewelry, including of course the pearls found in oysters.

These tribes called Staten Island, “Aquehonga Manacknong” — which for years has been interpreted to mean “land of bad woods” — but more recently has been interpreted to mean “that island with the high sandy banks.” Staten Island, it is theorized, is where the American Indians “would go in warm weather to fish in salt water and gather shellfish.”

2. Oystering Was Chief Industry on the Island in 1700’s – 1800’s

By 1825, oystering and farming were the 2 chief industries of Staten Island. According to the 1939 book, Staten Island and Its People: A History, by Charles Leng and William Davis. The book is now available in public domain and free to download.

Staten Island’s fame from its “vast underwater banks of oysters, some up to a foot long and many containing pearls — spread too fast and too far.” Oysters started to get over-harvested.

3. Over-Harvesting in 1700’s

A law prohibiting oyster harvesting between May 1 and September 1 went into effect in 1715. More stringent laws were enacted over the next 50 years, including a law passed in the 1730’s that prevented people who didn’t live on Staten Island from harvesting oysters on the island.

4. Seeding for Oysters in 1830’s in Princes Bay

The Oyster seeding industry was a turning point in Staten Island history.

The captains of the ships used to import the oyster seedlings, and to export Staten Island oysters to other areas — became known as Oyster Captains — and they became quite rich. The Oyster industry on Staten island led to spin-off businesses, such as shipbuilding and ironworking.

Mariner’s Harbor

The rich oyster captains settled in Mariners Harbor, and built rows of 2-story colonial wooden homes along Richmond Terrace facing the Kill van Kull. This became known as Captain’s Row. They would moor their boats off shore — often 40 to 50 sloops would be seen moored in the Kill van Kull in front of their homes.

Tottenville

Oyster seeding caused the creation of the town of Tottenville — which became home to more than a half-dozen shipyards.

1. A.C. Brown & sons Shipyard was established in 1875 at the foot of Amboy Road. They built vessels for commerce and pleasure, from tugboats to yachts. Brown’s yard was Tottenville’s most prolific for years — and built more than 320 boats before the Depression of the 1930’s.
2. William H. Rutan, a ship carpenter, and his brother James established the Rutan Shipyard on the waterfront below where they also established a ship chandlery — a store for selling supplies and provisions. In 1854, they built or repaired 50 schooners and 25 sloops, including the first 3-masted schooner to sail out of Tottenville.
3. The Rutan-Becket house, 6 Shore Road, was built circa 1850 for William H. Rutan and his family, on property purchased from Henry Hogg Biddle. Brother James lived nearby, at 97 Satterlee Street. William served as town supervisor and a member of the NY State Assembly. After his death in 1869, James sold one-half of the business to his brother-in-law, William H.R Felch. The Felch & Rutan Shipyard was sold in 1880. The Rutan-Becket house still exists as a museum that you can visit. It was purchased in 1955 by Walter and Kathrine Becket, who completely remodeled the house. The house exists today as it was in the 1950’s — with 1950’s decor.
4. The Butler & Sleight yard was established at Ward’s Point (which is now Conference House Park) around 1855.

Shipyards operated well into the 20th century. Today Garpo Marine Services, Ellis St, continues the tradition of ship repair.

6. Sandy Ground Settled Because of Oysters

The Oyster Captains often hired African-American workers in Maryland and Virginia to come back with them to prepare the beds and plant the oysters. By the 1840’s, those African-Amercian workers settled in Sandy Ground, Staten Island.

Staten Island oysters continued to be in demand through the Turn of the 20th Century, but the industrial revolution and large increase in population (and sewage) in NYC caused the waters of NY harbor to be more and more polluted.

In 1916 the Typhoid Fever epidemic hit — and it was traced to Staten Island oysters. The NYC Health Department officially condemned the oyster beds. The Oyster Industry died.

And now over 110 years later, the water is cleaner than ever and oysters are coming back.