Ship chandler

Tools (hatchet, axe, hammer, chisel, planes, lantern, nails, spike, boat hook, caulking iron, hand pump, and marlinspike) and items needed for cleaning such as brooms and mops might be available.

In the Age of Sail, ship chandlers could be found on remote islands, such as St. Helena, who were responsible for delivering water and fresh produce to stave off scurvy.

A distinguishing feature of a ship chandler is the high level of service demanded and the short time required to fill and deliver orders.

Advantages, today and in the past, are that stores in unfamiliar ports do not need to be sought out, and lines of credit make exchanging of currency a non-issue.

The ship chandlery business was central to the existence and the social and political dynamics of ports and their waterfront areas.

1917 photograph of Marine Supply Co., Pier 1, Seattle. Ship Chandlery, Marine Hardware, Cannery and Engineers' Supplies.
Deacons Boat Yard and Force 4 Chandlery, in Hampshire
Boat Mary B. moored beside the Pacific Net and Twine Company in Seattle, which sold sails and rigging and ship's chandlery items
Ystads ship chandler 2021