Row, Row, Row Your Boat: The B.E. Loomis Story

Burton "Bert" Loomis

Burton "Bert" Loomis, a well-known and wealthy tobacco grower from Southwick, Massachusetts, and his friend Napoleon Bascom, who lived with him and his wife, arrived at the Pease House in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, on Thursday, July 14, 1921. 

The two men ended up going their separate ways by boat, with Bert continuing onto New York and Napoleon crossing over to Poverty Island. 

Bert returned to Old Saybrook on Saturday and negotiated with a boat captain from Springfield, Massachusetts, who was summering there, to take him roundtrip to Poverty Island so he could get Napoleon and then return to the Pease House to get his automobile that he had parked in the garage so the pair could drive back to Southwick.

Along the way, Bert took issue with the route the captain had chosen to avoid shallow water, and an argument ensued. 

When Bert arrived, Napoleon told him he had decided to stay on the island for a few more days. 

It was getting late, but because of their earlier altercation, Bert refused to make the return trip with the same captain, and instead, he went alone in a green-painted rowboat, thinking he could row directly across.

Shortly after launching, the weather started getting rough, and a storm broke out. Witnesses on shore saw Bert experiencing difficulties; they thought the lights of the Saybrook lighthouse may have confused him as the strong tide carried him into Long Island Sound.

Pease House

On Sunday, some beachgoers found the rowboat Bert used floating offshore near Chapman Beach at Westbrook, Connecticut. It was half full of water, and apparently, it did not overturn as it had a shovel, oars, and an anchor still in it but no personal contents. 

A fisherman found Bert's body floating in New York waters off Fishers Island, New York, near New London, Connecticut, on Friday, July 22. 

Besides being bald, clothing and two gold-crowned front teeth aided in identifying Bert's body, which was shipped from New York to the undertaking rooms at Lambson Furniture Company in Westfield, Massachusetts. 

  

Map showing the Old Saybrook and Fishers Island

Edit Out/Additional Information

The Pease House, known for fine food, good service, and hospitality, has long since been demolished (c. 1957). Today, the site is home to the upscale Saybrook Point Inn and Spa.

Pease House

Pease House Dining Room

Pease House Interior

Map showing key areas
Loomis, heading to Old Saybrook, left in a rowboat from Poverty Island, Conn. 
His boat was found off Chapman Beach, Westbrook, Conn. (far left).
His body was found near Fishers Island, NY (far right).