Back to photostream

Me and my sketch and Ben Butler's Toothpick

A sunny Saturday and a free afternoon gave me time to sketch at Salisbury Beach State Reservation today. I knew something would catch my eye and sure enough, there is was... Ben Butler's Toothpick!

 

An odd structure with an odd name, right?

 

This pyramid-shaped aid to navigation has been standing at Black Rocks in Salisbury since 1873. It was named after Ben Butler, a Civil War general.

 

Benjamin Franklin Butler was a Civil War general who later turned his hand to a number of business ventures, and who also served in Congress and as governor of Massachusetts.

Butler directed the construction of this navigation aid in 1873 when he was involved in a shipping business using the Merrimack River to transport goods. It is officially known as Coast Guard Day Beacon No. 10.

 

I have fond memories of fishing here at this point, the entrance to the Merrimac River, with my Dad when I was a kid. He was a sailor and also used the "Toothpick" as a navigation aid. And he used it as a marker for one of his favorite Flounder and Striper fishing spots! ❤

 

Ink and watercolor wash, Sharpie Fine Point

5.5" x 8.5" Canson XL Watercolor Sketchbook

 

ANSH121: 9. Off the beaten path

188 views
1 fave
7 comments
Uploaded on January 29, 2023
Taken on January 28, 2023