My recent book, “WATER AND ICE: The Tragic Wrecks of the Bristol and the Mexico on the South Shore of Long Island” (2009 – Lynbrook Historical Books) reveals newly-uncovered information about the early days of the NY Pilots in the 1830s. The pilots were not then the fine group they are today. Indeed, their dereliction of duty cost the lives of 215 people aboard the two ships that I wrote about. Most of the victims were Irish immigrants. Each wreck was the largest incidence of accidental loss of life in US history to that time. The result was a total overhaul of the pilot monopoly. (See my website — Lynhistory.com — for more about this story.)

Again, yours was a thoroughly enjoyable piece. Thanks.

Art