Author: Fredrik Bodin

Fred Bodin is a photographer who owns a gallery on Main Street in downtown Gloucester, MA. The gallery features Fred's land and seascapes, as well as historic images printed from the old negatives.

Fishing Boat’s Enemy ~ Ice

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
It appears that we'll be out of the arctic's grip in a few days. In this circa 1950 photo, the fishing boat is iced up and cannot go out. Ice can destabilize a vessel to the point of capsizing if not removed. It needs to be removed with sledge hammers and shoveled overboard. The crew, already tired from fishing around the clock, becomes exhausted from ice removal.
It appears that we’ll be out of the arctic’s grip in a few days. In this circa 1950 photo, the fishing boat is iced up and cannot go out. Ice can destabilize a vessel to the point of capsizing if not removed. It needs to be removed with sledge hammers and shoveled overboard. The crew, already tired from fishing around the clock, becomes exhausted from ice removal.

Think it’s Cold?

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
This photo of Gloucester Harbor with ice flows was taken in 1918. The harbor has been frozen solid in the past.
This photo of Gloucester Harbor with ice flows was taken in 1918. The harbor has been frozen solid in the past.
It could be worse, like the plight of the Russian Akademik Shokalskiy research ship, which has been frozen in the ice in Antarctica. One of the rescue ships, a Chinese icebreaker, also got stuck. Thankfully, the wind changed and they're all free of the ice, with no lives lost.
It could be worse, like the plight of the Russian Akademik Shokalskiy research ship, which has been frozen in the ice in Antarctica. One of the rescue ships, a Chinese icebreaker, also got stuck. Thankfully, the wind changed and they’re all free of the ice, with no lives lost.
The USCG Polat Star, the most powerful heavy icebreaker in the world, has been en route to the frozen ships, but will continue on it's resupply mission to our base in Antarctica.
The USCG Polar Star, the most powerful heavy icebreaker in the world, has been en route to the frozen ships, but will continue on it’s resupply mission to our base in Antarctica.

Urad, and her Courageous Crew

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
The Urad was designed and built in Aalesund, Norway by Captain Ole Brude. He felt the vulnerable open lifeboats currently in use could be improved upon. He built the sail powered Urad of steel plate, 18' long, and 8' wide and deep: It was called an egg or a football. It could accommodate 40 passengers. On August 7th, 1904, he and three crewmen sailed from Norway to America. After a brief stop in Newfoundland, They beached on Pavilion Beach in Gloucester. Urad proved herself in several North Atlantic storms, the worst being off our coast. To read his account: http://books.google.com/books?id=TXYeAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=urad+lifeboat&source=bl&ots=0gm2V8ILVt&sig=9n1aOg3ovzISHSlKmOGri0P7wqI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2CHLUvjvDOO1sATD94GADQ&ved=0CE8Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=urad%20lifeboat&f=false
The Urad was designed and built in Aalesund, Norway by Captain Ole Brude. He felt the vulnerable open lifeboats currently in use could be improved upon. He built the sail powered Urad of steel plate, 18′ long, and 8′ wide and deep: It was called an egg or a football. It could accommodate 40 passengers. On August 7th, 1904, he and three crewmen sailed from Norway to America. After a brief stop in Newfoundland, They beached on Pavilion Beach in Gloucester. Urad proved herself in several North Atlantic storms, the worst being off our coast. To read his account: http://books.google.com/books?id=TXYeAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=urad+lifeboat&source=bl&ots=0gm2V8ILVt&sig=9n1aOg3ovzISHSlKmOGri0P7wqI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2CHLUvjvDOO1sATD94GADQ&ved=0CE8Q6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=urad%20lifeboat&f=false
This is an accurate replica of Urad, in a Norwegian driveway. It'll give you a good idea of what she looked like before being battered by the North Atlantic. Don't forget that this was supposed to be a lifeboat, not a transatlantic vessel. I think she proved herself, right?
This is an accurate replica of Urad, in a Norwegian driveway. It’ll give you a good idea of what she looked like before being battered by the North Atlantic. Don’t forget that this was supposed to be a lifeboat, not a transatlantic vessel. I think she proved herself, right?

Not a Submarine, but What?

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
This small vessel sailed to Gloucester from Norway, shortly after 1900, and in January. She beached on Pavilion Beach, and then tied up downtown. Can you identify her?
This small vessel sailed to Gloucester from Norway, shortly after 1900, and in January. She beached on Pavilion Beach, and then tied up downtown. Can you identify her?

Kill Me With Kindness!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
This afternoon, my first day in the gallery since New Year's Eve, Bob Morgan of Savour Wine and Cheese, came in with a present for the gallery. He and Kathleen Erickson wanted to thank me for helping them. These 12 bottles of Prosecco will be used for our next gallery event. January Chocolate Tour? Valentine's Party? Or big GMG Mug Up? As I learned from Joey C., don't solicit contributions. But if they are forthcoming, I'll share them with all of my friends from Good Morning Gloucester.
This afternoon, my first day in the gallery since New Year’s Eve, Bob Morgan of Savour Wine and Cheese, came in with a present for the gallery. He and Kathleen Erickson wanted to thank me for helping them. These 12 bottles of Prosecco will be used for our next gallery event. January Chocolate Tour? Valentine’s Party? Or big GMG Mug Up? As I learned from Joey C., don’t solicit contributions. But if they are forthcoming, I’ll share them with all of my friends from Good Morning Gloucester.

New Year’s Act of Kindness

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
I haven't been in the gallery since New Year's Eve, and then came the holiday and the snow storm. There is no parking on Main Street until 8am Saturday. I came in today (Friday) to turn the heat up, because of extremely low temperatures tonight. Jaime from Jalapenos came in with a present for Janet and I, which was left in the entryway by Peggy, owner of the POP Gallery. It contains a jar of homemade meat sauce and I don't know what in the other wrapping. She had left a bottle of wine, but thought it might disappear. Her note said: "here is your New Year's Eve Dinner. Such Kindness!
I haven’t been in the gallery since New Year’s Eve, and then came the holiday and the snow storm. There is no parking on Main Street until 8am Saturday. I came in today (Friday) to turn the heat up, because of extremely low temperatures tonight. Jaime from Jalapenos came in with a present for Janet and I, which was left in the entryway by Peggy, owner of the POP Gallery. It contains a jar of homemade meat sauce and I don’t know what in the other wrapping. She had left a bottle of wine, but thought it might disappear. Her note said: “here is your New Year’s Eve Dinner. Such Kindness!

Three Dog Night

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
As I was driving home tonight, knowing it would be cold, I looked at my car thermometer. It was 1º as I went thru Dogtown. When I got home to my driveway in Pigeon Cove, where I could safely take a photo, it said 2º. This is a 3 dog night!
As I was driving home tonight, knowing it would be cold, I looked at my car thermometer. It was 1º as I went thru Dogtown. When I got home to my driveway in Pigeon Cove, where I could safely take a photo, it said 2º. This is a 3 dog night!

Day One of the Storm, 1/2/14

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Day one of storm, although the real storm starts tonight. Pigeon Cove Harbor early afternoon 1/2/14. Nasty.
Day one of storm, although the real storm starts tonight. Pigeon Cove Harbor early afternoon 1/2/14. Nasty.

Calm Before the Storm, 1/1/14

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
The Cove was like a lake and the ocean very calm this evening. It was also very cold. Tonight and tomorrow will be colder and nowhere near as calm.
Pigeon Cove was like a lake and the ocean very calm this evening. It was also very cold. Tonight and tomorrow will be colder and nowhere near as calm. I’ll try to get down there.

Cape to Cape, with Love

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
How to say Happy New Year to my Facebook and GMG friends in a new and creative way? This is one of the best holiday cards I've ever received. It's made and sold by Jan & Chris Capece, owners of the Letters from the Cape store in South Orleans, Cape Cod. Jan graciously let me use this, and looks forward to seeing it on GMG this morning. Outstanding graphic design and photography. Gotta go there! www.lettersfromthecape.com
How to say Happy New Year to my Facebook and GMG friends in a new and creative way? This is one of the best holiday cards I’ve ever received. It’s made and sold by Jan & Chris Capece, owners of the Letters from the Cape store in South Orleans, Cape Cod. Jan graciously let me use this, and looks forward to seeing it on GMG this morning. Outstanding graphic design and photography. Gotta go there! http://www.lettersfromthecape.com

With Ice Please!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
With New Year's Eve here, there will be plenty of ice used in sculptures and serving foods such as shrimp and oysters, not to mention keeping the bubbly cold. But before electricity and refrigeration, there was only one source of ice: Ice ponds and ice houses. Workers cut the ice and it was stored in a nearby "house," in salt hay, cork and sawdust insulation until it was needed. Around 1900, the Fernwood Lake Ice Company, pictured here, had the largest building in Massachusetts, measuring 105 feet x 205 feet. In 1908, the Fernwood Ice Company merged with Cape Pond Ice. The fishing industry used a lot of ice to preserve their catch as it was brought to market.
With New Year’s Eve here, there will be plenty of ice used in sculptures and serving foods such as shrimp and oysters, not to mention keeping the bubbly cold. But before electricity and refrigeration, there was only one source of ice: Ice ponds and ice houses. Workers cut the ice and it was stored in a nearby “house,” in salt hay, cork and sawdust insulation until it was needed. Around 1900, the Fernwood Lake Ice Company, pictured here, had the largest building in Massachusetts, measuring 105 feet x 205 feet. In 1908, the Fernwood Ice Company merged with Cape Pond Ice. The fishing industry used a lot of ice to preserve their catch as it was brought to market.

Essex Aggie – 100 Years Old

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
The Essex Agricultural School was founded in 1913 at Hawthorne (Danvers) MA, on land granted by descendants of Nathaniel Hawthorne. They raised cows, learned how to milk them, and then sent the milk to be processed and bottled. This unused bottle was given to me by Gloucester resident Gus Olson, former president of Essex Agricultural and Technical High School..
The Essex Agricultural School was founded in 1913 at Hawthorne (Danvers) MA, on land granted by descendants of Nathaniel Hawthorne. They raised cows, learned how to milk them, and then sent the milk to be processed and bottled. This unused bottle was given to me by Gloucester resident Gus Olson, former president of Essex Agricultural and Technical High School..

Happy New Year 1910!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Made by a sign painter in Salem, and likely photographed in the same city. So have a happy and safe New Year everyone. 2014 will bring us new adventures.
Made by a sign painter in Salem, and likely photographed in the same city. So have a happy and safe New Year everyone. 2014 will bring us new adventures.

Goose Cove Bridge, circa 1940

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Goose Cove, on a frosty day, with the tide coming in under the bridge. Alice Curtis shot this from the Greenbelt side of the cove, where we have hiking trails today.
Goose Cove, on a frosty day, with the tide going out under the bridge. Alice Curtis shot this from the western side of the cove.

A Tribute to Alice May Curtis, 1871-1961

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
I own 4,000 of Alice M. Curtis's original negatives, and other material. Born in Gloucester in 1871, Alice passed away in this city 90 years later. In this self portrait, she's reflected with her tripod in her dresser mirror. I think it's about time I published this photo and gave her some credit. She photographed ordinary things, such as her friends' gardens and indoor arrangements. In the future, this will be invaluable documentary coverage of how people lived at that time.
I own 4,000 of Alice M. Curtis’s original negatives, and other material. Born in Gloucester in 1871, Alice passed away in this city 90 years later. In this self portrait, she’s reflected with her tripod in her dresser mirror. I think it’s about time I published this photo and gave her some credit. She photographed ordinary things, such as her friends’ gardens and indoor arrangements. In the future, this will be invaluable documentary coverage of how people lived at that time.

Drink and Dinner

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin

The Christmas holiday is over. Thank heavens! I hosted so many holiday parties at the gallery this month that I'm totally tuckered out. Now it's time to look forward to 2014 and new adventures. This is an awesome looking Bloody Mary. It could be your dinner and your drink. I'll have mine without the green worms please!
The Christmas holiday is over. Thank heavens! I hosted so many holiday parties at the gallery this month that I’m totally tuckered out. Now it’s time to look forward to 2014 and new adventures. This is an awesome looking Bloody Mary. It could be your dinner and your drink. I’ll have mine without the green worms please!

Christmas Morning Sunrise, 7:11 am

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
I traditionally go to outer Cape Cod for the Christmas holiday. A tradition my hosts have is to toast the December 25th sunrise at Coast Guard Beach with shots of Bailey's. Fun way to start the year!
I usually go to outer Cape Cod for the Christmas holiday. A tradition my hosts have is to toast the December 25th sunrise at Coast Guard Beach with shots of Bailey’s. Fun way to start the year!

Christmas Eve!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Christmas Eve! I took this photo at a Christmas party on East Main Street, looking across Smith Cove. The sailboat was decorated with lights, as was the crane at Bickford's boat yard on Rocky Neck. Co-owner Marco Taormina did that every year. He was a gruff but likable character. He loved to drink his "green grenades," which were bottles of Heineken beer.
Christmas Eve! I took this photo at a Christmas party on East Main Street, looking across Smith Cove. The sailboat was decorated with lights, as was the crane at Bickford’s boat yard on Rocky Neck. Co-owner Marco Taormina did that every year. He was a gruff but likable character. He loved to drink his “green grenades,” which were bottles of Heineken beer.

Willard Pike’s Funeral Home, 1935

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Willard Pike's Christmas doorway, 1935. This photo was taken on Pine Street. Pike's funeral home is now the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home at 61 Middle Street. There's a little snow, like we have now.
Willard Pike’s Christmas doorway, 1935. This photo was taken on Pine Street. Pike’s funeral home is now the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home at 61 Middle Street. There’s a little snow, like we have now.