Category: Working Boats

The Lobsterman Cometh and the Bugs Goeth

Posted on by Nichole S.

Findlings from the Firehouse: The Annisquam Historical Society

 

This is such a wonderful glimpse into the Annisquam Historical Society’s extensive collection of photographs dating back to the days of glass plate negatives.

Take some time and view their impressive collection here: annisquamhistoricalsociety.org

I am very grateful to David W. Teele & Betsey B. Horovitz for sharing this information with us. I am hopeful that they may continue to share some of their findings and extensive research.  What a joy it is to see these images and take this trip back in time.

Today a commercial lobsterman has a choice of ways to get the “bugs” to market: off-load from the boat directly to the dealer, lug the catch in totes to a truck and drive to a buyer, or, in some cases, hold the catch for the wholesaler to collect. In 1895, things were not so simple. Lobstermen fishing out of Lobster Cove could row or sail their dories to Chard’s “fish market”. How did others, say at Folly Cove, get their small catches to someone who would pay cash?

We have many photos showing lobstermen with their large wooden pots and dories. Some were plainly posed (1st photo below), but posed or not, the challenge of selling the catch remained.

In the family of one of the authors (DWT), there is an expression “light dawned on Marblehead”. This is what happened when the other author (BBH) looked closely at the second photo. The dealers came right to the water’s edge. (And there is a real, genuine, live lobster in the photo.) We have never found a similar image, of either a dealer or a lobster.

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BANTRY BAY’S DAN MURPHY AND ROB PORTER LAND A WICKED BIG TUNA!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Nicole, Michelle, George, Charlotte, and I had an exciting morning watching Dan Murphy and Rob Porter arriving to shore with a beautiful 96″ Bluefin Tuna. The tuna meat was given a thumbs up!

SCHOONER LANNON ON A GLORIOUS SUNSET SAIL

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

In addition to sunset sails, did you know the Lannon also offers Moon-gazing sails!?! 

Winner of the Best of North Shore “Best Charter Boat” for the past three years in a row, and it’s no wonder ❤

Visit the Schooner Lannon’s website for a complete list of sailing adventures–

Picture yourself relaxing on the deck of this beautiful 65- foot schooner as she sails out of Gloucester harbor on a light southwesterly breeze.

Join us for a two hour sail and get a taste for what it was like to sail on a fishing schooner a hundred years ago. Help the crew raise the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights and sounds of Gloucester’s coastline.

Some of our weekend public sails feature music. We offer group rates. And we specialize in private charters for weddings, corporate entertainment, teambuilding, birthdays and more. The Lannon is a great place for a party!

SNAPSHOTS OF WBZ CARL STEVENS AND POSSIBLE HUMAN REMAINS FOUND

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

As part of my Piping Plover project, I often stop by Revere and Winthrop beaches when heading to and from job sites in Boston and Cambridge. While at Revere Beach yesterday, several TV news trucks pulled up in front of the police station and cameramen set up their cameras. I imagined perhaps another whale had washed ashore but bones of what are believed to be human have been collected by police.

I briefly met WBZ’s Carl Stevens and cameraman (both super nice). So sorry I didn’t get the cameraman’s name for the photo caption. If anyone knows, please write.

I didn’t have time to stick around and learn more although not much else is know at this time. 

WBZ’s Carl Stevens and cameraman on the scene

Point of Pines loster boat heading in

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: SYLVINA BEAL SAILS TO MARITIME GLOUCESTER!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

And a pretty schooner she is, despite her generally decrepit state. Essex shipwright Harold Burnham, Mary Kay Taylor, and a crew of friends picked up the 1911 schooner in Maine over the weekend. Burnham and Taylor are planning to restore the knockabout to her original splendor and when completed, the Sylvina W. Beal will be the oldest fishing vessel in the harbor.

Stopping by to take a few snapshots of the Sylvina Beal I ran into Maritime Gloucester Education Director Amanda Madeira and Education Coordinator Kelsey Bradford, along with Plum Cove fourth graders at the “crab lab.” Don’t you just love everything about Maritime Gloucester?!? There is always some outstanding maritime-related educational program or event taking place. We are so blessed to have this wonderful resource in our community!

Note- the Sea Pocket Aquarium has reduced hours after October 13th. For more information, visit the Maritime Gloucester website here.

Read more about the Schooner Sylvina W. Beal here.

GLOUCESTER’S BEAUTIFUL NEW FLOATING DOCK DESIGNED FOR SCHOONERS

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

If you had the opportunity to see the schooners docked at Gloucester’s gorgeous new floating dock, located at I4-C2, know that it was constructed by Beacon Marine Basin and installed by Brett Ramsey’s company Ramsey Marine and Dock Construction. The floating dock was created by Gloucester Maritime and the Schooner Festival Committee to provide schooners with a convenient place to moor.

Schooners Bluenose II, Columbia, Tree of Life, Brilliant, and When and If, along with the Tall Ship Lynx

The new dock was well utilized during the three day Schooner Festival event. By late Sunday afternoon, there were a total of five schooners, as well as the Tall Ship Lynx, moored at the floating dock!

The dock will be removed within the next few weeks, to be reinstalled next August for the 35th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival.

Schooners Columbia and Tyrone moored at the floating dock.

 

TREMENDOUS DAY OF SAFETY AND SURVIVAL TRAINING AT THE USCG WITH THE FISHING PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

A full day of Safety and Survival Training was held today at Gloucester’s Coast Guard Station. SST is cosponsored by the Fishing Partnership Support Services, Division of Marine Fisheries, and the USCoast Guard. “Fishermen are 37 times more likely to die on the job than policemen. And on top of that, New England’s waters are the most dangerous in the country. Safety and survival training is not something to ignore—it’s desperately needed and can truly be life-saving for everyone on your boat.” Training was conducted in these vital areas:

  • Man-Overboard Procedures
  • Fire Fighting & Emergency Communications
  • Flooding & Pump Operation
  • Flares & EPIRBs
  • Survival Suits
  • Life Raft Equipment
  • Helicopter Hoist Procedures
  • Basic First Aid

 

To learn more about the Fishing Partnership Support Services Safety and Survival Training, and all the services provided to fishermen, visit their website here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiU_kDNg0-J/

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY KAY TAYLOR AND LOWELL’S BOAT SHOP!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Rebecca Reynolds (MARS board president), Annie Harris (CEO Essex National Heritage Area) and Mary Kay Taylor (Lowell’s Boat Shop education/grants director)

Today I attended the Essex National Heritage Area annual spring meeting as a recently appointed heritage commissioner. The meeting was held at the Saugus Town Hall, a magnificently maintained, predominately Gothic Revival style building, constructed in 1874-1877 and designed by architects Lord and Fuller. The East Lake inspired interior details and decoration were a treat to see and have been beautifully preserved.

It was a joy to see my friend Sarah Boucher, director of sales and marketing at Willowdale Estate and Briar Barn Inn, to meet Rebecca Reynolds, president of the Manship Artists Residency and Studios (MARS), and to see the always wonderful Mary Kay from Schooner Ardelle-Adventure-Lowell’s Boat Shop.

Today Mary Kay was wearing her Lowell’s Boat Shop and Museum hat, accepting the matching Essex National Heritage Area partnership grant. The grant will go towards the restoration of the Boat Shop. To learn more about Lowell’s Boat Shop and Museum, the oldest continuously operating boat shop in America, visit their website here.


Saugus Town Hall image courtesy wiki commons media

BANGERS, CRASHERS, COASTAL FLOODING, BEACON MARINE BASIN, PIRATE’S LANE, AND THE GOOD HARBOR BEACH FOOTBRIDGE BOMBOGENESIS RILEY NOR’EASTER #GLOUCESTERMA

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Meteorologists predict flooding from Nor’easter Riley could be the worst in Boston’s history. The storm is strengthening and the waves were much bigger this afternoon as the tide was going out. Be safe friends.The Good Harbor Beach Footbridge is intact at 4pm, despite mid-day flooding.

City Hall and the Paint Factory March Nor’easter RileyFV Capt. Joe leaving the Marine Railways and heading for the State Fish Pier at daybreak.

Just another day for a pair of male and female Common Eiders