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Steamboat Captain William Murphy and Davis Landing

Compiled by Linda Bennett White

Portrait of steamboat Captain William Murphy

A bustling shipping industry grew up around the Mispillion River from 1840-1940. David Kenton wrote about a number of these captains in an article in the spring, 2000, Milford Historical Society Newsletter, the title of which was “Steamboats, Schooners, and Railroads 1840-1940”. While a few captains appear in this article, Captain William Murphy had roots closest to Slaughter Beach. Murphy’s Cannery had several “firsts” for the canning business and helped launch a number of other businesses:

  • First successful canner of lima beans
  • One of the first to introduce out-of-season fruits and vegetables to Delaware.
  • John Burris, of Milford, was the first trucker for the cannery, and launched Burris Logistics, still in business today.
  • One of first canneries to have dynamo powered machinery & electric lights.
  • One of the first canneries to truck goods over state lines.

The brand name of the cannery was “Catherine’s Choice”. This label is the only one known to exist.

Catherine's Choice cannery label, the only one known to exist
The Catherine’s Choice label from Murphy’s Cannery

Below is the only known photo of Murphy’s Cannery, and it appeared with an article in the Milford Chronicle, August 16, 1912.

Murphy's Cannery as pictured in the Milford Chronicle, August 16, 1912
Murphy’s Cannery, Milford Chronicle, August 16, 1912

Calendar Contest

Photos must be submitted between May 1st and Sept 1st. Winners will be announced in October. Please review contest rules below, before submitting photos.

Entries must be from residents of Slaughter Beach, homeowners or their visiting friends/family members.

  • All photos must be in digital, high-resolution format and taken in the town of Slaughter Beach.
  • Previously winning photos are not permitted.
  • Photos can be in color or black & white.
  • SBHS reserves the right to crop, revise, or publish photos.
  • Entries can be of architecture, nature, or animals. If people are included it is preferred they are non-identifiable; otherwise a general photo-release waiver must be signed and kept on file.
  • There is a limit of 3 photo submissions per person for consideration. Each entrant is limited to the possibility of one winning photo per calendar year.
  • Three anonymous judges will choose the winning entries.
  • Submissions will remain anonymous to the judges. Judges’ decisions are final.
  • SBHS retains only non-exclusive rights to the pictures submitted to SBHS for the purpose of entry into the calendar contest. Winning photos will include the photographer’s name.