The Pushee (pronounced Push-ay) brothers operated a shipyard on Hinckley Point for forty years, beginning in about 1890. The Pushees built the Passamaquoddy Bay ferries, pleasure boats, schooners, and lobster smacks, in addition to their renowned four-masters. The "David Cohen," the first of the four-masters, was an ocean-going vessel of 752 gross tons, a sailing ship with auxiliary power, built for David Cohen and Company of New York. In 1921 her auxiliary engines were removed and she was renamed "Victoria S." She was lost off North Carolina on August 23, 1925. Fred L. Gardner of Dennysville told of the July 25, 1918, launching in his journal, as follows: " This was the day set for the launching of the 'David Cohen,' a four-master built by Pushee Brothers at Hinckley shore. The keel was laid early in July last, 160 feet on keel. She slid into the water most beautifully. Never a false move. There were thousands of people there. All around shores, both sides of the river. There were 400 autos at least." In less that a year, on June 13, 1919, another four-master, "Esther K." was launched at the Pushee yard. This vessel of 1,001 gross tons, which was owned by Netherton Shipping Corporation of New York, was lost at sea in October, 1935. Wilhelmina (Pushee) Youngquist furnished the following information about the four-mastered schooners built by Pushee Brothers' Shipyard: "David Cohen"--length, 155 ft.; beam 35 ft.; depth of hold in shoalest place, 13 ft. 6 inches. "Esther K."--length, 177 ft.; beam, 37 ft.; and depth of hold 20 ft. 6 inches."

Dennys River Historic PhotographsPhotos for Map

Launching of the "David Cohen" in Dennysville in 1918.