The southeast corner of the wharf is shown. The boat at the side of the wharf was named the "Zero." It belonged to Charles Coombes. It had just been sailed over to Woods Hole from New Bedford by Coombes, then a boy of thirteen. The sand flat in the foreground was known as Grew's Clam Flat. The stakes in the water near the rowboat were used to tie fish cars, or slatted crates, for storing live fish. The man rowing the boat is Vinal Edwards. Vessels in the distance: at the right, the "Triumph," owned by Captain Thomas Hinkley; at the left, the sloop, "Tautemio," Captain John Ray, Nantucket. Land in the distance is Naushon Island. Building on the wharf was used as a freight shed by the New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard Steamboat Co. This building was originally located on the present site of the Library, and was at that time used as a telegraph office, in charge of Miss Rebecca Hinkley. The building was finally purchased from the steamboat company by William Studley, who rebuilt it as a residence for himself. It is now located on North St.
The text above is from Historical Paintings of Woods Hole, by Franklin Lewis Gifford (Woods Hole Public Library, 1962).