Gloucester Schooners Welcome Columbia and Bluenose
Tag: Bluenose
ELSIE and BLUENOSE, Start of the First Race
From the collections of the CAPE ANN MUSEUM, Gloucester, Massachusetts
“Start of the first race of the International Race showing ‘Elsie’ in the lead with Bluenose in the rear” 1921 Halifax, Nova Scotia
Thanks to Fred Buck for locating this photograph and sharing it with the Gloucester Schooner Festival committee.
From A Race for Real Sailors The first ELSIE – BLUENOSE RACE.
_________ The two fairly flew across the water, all sails filled in the stiff quartering breeze and hulls rolling heavily in the deep chop. “The end of Bluenose’s 80-ft. boom was now in the water, now halfway up to the masthead as she gained on her rival. The Elsie rolled still harder and three times brought her main boom across the Bluenose’s deck, between the fore and main rigging.” It was a constant battle for the weather berth, with members of both crews either handling lines or working aloft or hugging the windward rails. Anyone daring to raise his head above the weather rail on Bluenose caught the caught the edge of Walter’s caustic tongue. __________
A Race for Real Sailors is in stock at the Cape Ann Museum.
The stirring and poignant tale is illustrated with 51 historical photographs and five maps, and rounded out by a glossary of sailing terms and an appendix of the ever-changing race rules. This is a story that will keep even confirmed landlubbers pegged to their seats, a tale of iron men and wooden ships whose time will never come again.
Al Bezanson
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ELSIE crew, 1921
Al Bezanson submits-
From the collections of the CAPE ANN MUSEUM, Gloucester, Massachusetts
Elsie’s crew, 1921 International Fishermen’s Races (photo: Cox Bros., Halifax, Nova Scotia) Capt. Marty Welch.
Fred Buck has pitched in to help the Schooner Festival committee recruit entries and increase public awareness of the original International Fishermen’s Races. This is one of several photographs of ELSIE the Cape Ann Museum is sharing for our use.
From A Race for Real Sailors The first ELSIE – BLUENOSE race.
______ The combination of wind and too much sail proved to be more than the ELSIE could bear. First to go was her jib topsail halyard. As a crewman scampered out onto her bowsprit to re-reeve the halyard, the bow plunged deeply into the sea, burying the bowsprit to the third hank of her jib. Moments later, the foremast snapped off at the cap and both jib topsail and staysail came down in a mess of wire stays and rigging. Without missing a beat, the crew set about clearing up the wreckage. The mate and a couple of fishermen headed out on the bowsprit to cut away the jib topsail that was now dragging under the forefoot. “Down into the jumping sea went the bowsprit and the three sailors were plunged under five feet of water. They cut away the sail and brought it in with the crew behind them hauling it inboard through the green-white smother.” Those aloft worked frantically to secure the topmast, assorted wires, blocks and halyards.
Within six minutes the ELSIE, under forcefully shortened sail, appeared to be making better time than before. Angus Walters reacted in the spirit of sportsmanship by immediately dousing his own jib topsail and clewing up his main topsail. _______
Al Bezanson
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Auction – March 5th – in Magnolia
From Walt Kolenda at Capeannauction.com
Our first auction in 2013 will be a DOOZY! Don’t forget, we’re running in a new location and on a new night!
Tues. March 5th, 6pm (preview 4-6)
Charles Jones Hall in the Magnolia Library
1 Lexington St, Magnolia, MA 01930
This will be one of our best quality auctions so far! It features art, antiques, collectibles & furniture from several Cape Ann estates.
Here’s a partial list, check back for more details.
Partial listing: A great cedar wood 5 mast ship model of the Sea Princess 34”h x 44”long in excellent condition individually planked, a 34”h x 36”l wooden model of a whale boat also individually planked, a wooden ship model of the Great Republic, wooden ship model of the Bluenose wooden ship model of the Suez 2, vintage half hull wall plaque ship model, a beautiful pair of 19th century Icons w/ Angels, blue stoneware planters, standing wicker planter w galvanized trough, arts & crafts period oak slant front desk , antique oak chest of drawers, pair of danish modern chairs , wainscot wardrobe period cherry drop-leaf table, large Norman Rockwell art book, lot of Edison cylinder records, 4 pc. Czech Victoria China decanter set, blue satin art glass bowl, Fenton cranberry glass vase, blue hobnail glass vase, black amethyst glass art deco brass rim bowl, bar in a barrel decanter set, group of 3 green art pottery vases, antique iridescent green 5” vase, vintage blue Hall teapot & 2 other brown vintage teapots, Fenton hand painted signed covered ladies boot decanter, green/brown majolica 22” umbrella stand, green/brown majolica (Weller?) 10” planter in drip glaze w/ trees, orange carnival glass bowl & orange carnival glass vase, yellow Pyrex mixing bowls Jadite mixing bowl & 2 Hamilton Beach custard color mixing bowls, green/brown majolica 7” vase, green depression glass plate, heavy cut clear leaded crystal vase, hand painted black tin decanter set, sprayed gold retro decanter set, unusual cyclops pottery jug 8” tall, blue funny face stoneware mug, his/hers happy sad stoneware mugs, See more
Just added… A rare signed, Fred Thompson hand colored 6 mast schooner print, Bradford’s History of the Civil War, several signed impressionist paintings marine themes and cityscape, Motif #1 depicted in a stone wall plaque. Still more to come.
For more pictures and details go to: http://www.auctionzip.com/auctioneer/gloucester
Our snack bar will now be a kitchen! Come early, have a bite and save your seat.
As usual, there is NO BUYER’S PREMIUM at The Cape Ann Auction.
MA lic#2621
Visa, MC, Checks & Cash accepted
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Bluenose vs. Gertrude L. Thibault (1938)
Footage from the last race of the Bluenose. Racing off Gloucester, Mass. against the Gertrude L. Thibault. Shot by W.R. MacAskill in October 1938.
Filmmaker: W.R. MacAskill
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Bow of The Bluenose
Click any picture and select “all sizes” to see any picture in full size and greater clarity.
Bow of The Bluenose, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
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Bluenose II at GMHC 4:50AM 8/31/08
Very excited to see that the gates at The Heritage Center were not closed and I could get right down to the end of the pier where the Bluenose II was tied up for these shots. Creak creak creak go the boards in the early morning as you step across with no one else around.
Bluenose II at GMHC 4:50AM 8/31/08, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
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Schooner Festival- While The City Sleeps
No crowds, no lines, unfettered access. That is my world at 4:50 AM when most people are deep in REM sleep. I need some coffee.
Schooner Festival- While The City Sleeps, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
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Bluenose II At The GMHC
Open gates early in the morning= Joey getting down to the docks to take some shots, SWEET!
Sure you’re gonna see a gazillion pictures taken during the daylight hours of the schooners over the next couple days, but who else is cranking down the deserted docks to get you these kinds of shots in the middle of the night?
If you click the picture and then select “all sizes” you can see this picture full size and with beautiful clarity. The deep rich color of the wood on deck is amazing.
Bluenose II At The GMHC, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Good Morning Gloucester 