David Mitchell (pilot boat)

The David Mitchell was a pilot boat that served the Port of Philadelphia. Launched in 1884, she was named after David Mitchell, a prominent Philadelphia pilot and a member of the Pilots' Association for many years. She was built at the Dialogue & Wood shipyard in Camden, New Jersey. The David Mitchell was known for her speed and reliability in transporting pilots to and from incoming and outgoing ships navigating the Delaware Bay and River. She was a schooner-rigged vessel and played a vital role in maritime safety and commerce for Philadelphia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Like many pilot boats of her era, she was eventually replaced by more modern steam-powered vessels. The David Mitchell's service marked a significant period in the history of Philadelphia's maritime pilotage.