Massachusetts. Board of Harbor Commissioners

The Board of Harbor Commissioners was created by chapter 149 of the acts of 1866 to provide general care and supervision over all the harbors, tidewaters, and flats in Massachusetts except for Back Bay lands in Boston, which remained under the charge of the Commissioners on Public Lands (St 1861, c 89).

The board was comprised of five members appointed by the governor. They were required to keep account of their actual services and expenses and to submit an annual report in January of each year. They secured an advisory council consisting of U.S. engineers and other U.S. officials. The advisory council was consulted for expert opinion and engaged to carry out coastal surveys. During this period the board cooperated with the federal government, which spent considerable sums of money on breakwaters and dredging in the smaller harbors of the Commonwealth.

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