Al Bezanson submits-
Joey___
How many folks can name the schooner sailing over City Hall and explain why she merits such a lofty presence? It is a fascinating story – thoroughly researched here in Gloucester by a Canadian — Capt. Keith McLaren. A Race for Real Sailors (2006), the Bluenose and the International Fishermen’s Cup, 1920-1938. An America’s Cup yacht race had been cancelled in 1920 for weather conditions considered ‘normal’ for working fishing schooners, and this prompted the idea for the competition between the Gloucester and Lunenburg fleets with ‘honest to God boats.’ In the words of Joe Garland, Capt. McLaren’s book is “The definitive account of the fabled sailing rivalry between the fastest of the last fishing schooners of Canada and the States — and with photos to take your breath away. What a read!” The front jacket painting: Racing Schooners, circa 1921, by Dusan Kadlec, portrays Bluenose and Elsie racing. Sailing proudly over City Hall is Elsie.
At the Cape Ann Museum across the street there is an exquisite Elsie model built by Erik Ronnberg.
In the acknowledgements the author makes special mention of help he received from Joe Garland and Dana Story, and credits Erik Ronnberg along with James Craig and Stephanie Buck at the Museum. A Race for Real Sailors is available in the Museum’s gift shop.
A newly-launched Bluenose II will be making her first appearance in Gloucester on Labor Day weekend at the Schooner Festival. Our good friends from Nova Scotia have reached deep into their pockets to create a new masterpiece. This would be a perfect time for people in our city to refresh their knowledge of Gloucester’s famed past in preparation for a grand welcome.
Al Bezanson
Good Morning Gloucester 