Historically Speaking: The interesting life of Valentine Mathes
Tony McManus
Here s a bit more about Valentine Mathes. In addition to being a co-founder of the Piscataqua Navigation Co. he was an important factor in the success of the Dover Navigation Co., an organization created in the late 1870s by some local bigwigs that led to several decades of profitable Cocheco River shipping activity and support for many of our community s commercial enterprises.
In order to supply his coal business Mathes was responsible for regular shipments of product to the Dover waterfront. Back when Cocheco Street and the Young Street and Water Street area was lined with wharves and warehouses Mathes maintained several coal sheds, a coal pocket, and a new wharf on land bordering Cocheco Street that he purchased in 1881. Eight years later, he and a Durham cousin who was continuing to operate the family brick yard invested in Dover s fourth tug to be used in towing their barges and vessels. �