Records show that Cornelius Dewees owned Dewees Island as early as 1761. Dewees leased the land to a shipuilder, Mr. William Harper. Ships constructed here, including the Neptune, were intended for trade between the United States and Barbados. A model of the Neptune can be seen in the Huyler House.
It is uncertain where the shipyard was located. The most probable location was near the present Old House Creek (the impoundment opening to your left as you look out from the memory Garden). Sheltered water is near and the shipyard had ready access from the Dewees residence. It is not known when the shipyard ceased operation. It is not mentioned in the 1790 newspaper advertisement of Dewees Island.
Originally, the newspaper clippings from the state attributed the construction of the Neptune to Dewees himself, but a few days later the paper printed a retraction.
The brigantine said to have been built by Mr. Cornelius Dewies [Dewees], was only built on his island, not by Mr. Dewies [sic], but by Mr. William Harper, who is now in partnership with Mr. George Noddings.”
(Harper and Noddings then leased land at the east end of Pinckney Street in Charleston for their shipwork.)