Wood & Water
Forests of white oak and chestnut grew almost down to the banks of Westbrook’s two rivers, the Pochoug and the Menunketesuc, both flowing to the sea. Small vessels were built along the rivers to carry the bounty of forest and farm to coastal cities and to islands in the West Indies. This trade connected the town to the wider world and brought prosperity to farmers, shipbuilders, timber suppliers and merchants.
Shipbuilding became the major industry here where, over-time, more than 220 vessels were launched. Westbrook‘s shipbuilding was so well-known that near the mouth of the Pochoug River, Merit Hayden purposely sank his unfinished sloop when he learned that the British Navy was seeking out shipyards and burning vessels during the War of 1812.