My View of Life on the Dock
Can’t wait for this years Schooner Festival.
The HMS Bounty which was the feature ship in Gloucester’s Schooner Festival Last Summer was taking on water out at sea and it’s 17 person crew just abandoned ship.
Uhmmm does this not beg the question-
Somebody’s got some splainin’ to do!
By NBC News staff
Seventeen people aboard a replica of the HMS Bounty abandoned ship early Monday while stranded at sea off the North Carolina coast, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a press release.
"The 17 person crew donned cold water survival suits and life jackets before launching in two 25-man lifeboats with canopies," the Coast Guard said in a statement.
The ship issued a distress signal late Sunday and was taking on water, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The owner of the 180-foot, three mast ship — which was built for the 1962 Marlon Brando movie, "Mutiny on the Bounty" — lost communication with the crew and alerted the Coast Guard to the situation.
Here she is when she arrived in Gloucester Last Summer-
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard has received word that the crew of the HMS Bounty has abandoned ship approximately 90 miles southeast of Hatteras N.C., Monday.
The 17 person crew donned cold water survival suits and lifejackets before launching in two 25-man lifeboats with canopies.
The Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation and assess the weather conditions to determine the soonest Coast Guard aircraft or surface assets can be on scene to conduct effective rescue operations.
Coast Guard Sector North Carolina initially received a call from the owner of the 180-foot, three mast tall ship, HMS Bounty, saying she had lost communication with the vessel’s crew late Sunday evening.
The Coast Guard 5th District command center in Portsmouth subsequently received a signal from the emergency position indicating radio beacon registered to the Bounty, confirming the distress and position.
An air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City launched aboard an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, which later arrived on scene and reestablished communications with the Bounty’s crew.
The vessel was reportedly taking on water and was without propulsion. On scene weather is reported to be 40 mph winds and 18-foot seas.
More Pictures of the HMS Bounty In Gloucester Last Summer-
Posted on August 31, 2012 by Marty Luster
Len Burgess Submits-
September 1st & 2nd.
HMS Bounty…at one with the sea…global voyager…movie star…dedicated to preserving the fine art of square-rigged sailing.
The HMS Bounty is one of the most famous ships in the world. Known for the storied mutiny that took place in Tahiti in 1789 on board the British transport vessel, the current Bounty, a replica, has survived to tell the tale. Built for the 1962 movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” with Marlon Brando, HMS Bounty sails the country offering dockside tours in which one can learn about the history and details of sailing vessels from a lost and romanticized time in maritime history. Since her debut in “Mutiny on the Bounty”, HMS Bounty has appeared in many documentaries and featured films such as the Edinburgh Trader in Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Mans Chest with Johnny Depp.
"The photos from this year’s Schooner Festival include Liberty Clipper, Fame and Gloucester’s Bald Eagle passing in review during the Parade of Sail; the Spirit of Massachusetts and Summwind shortly after the start of the Mayor’s Race; a three-shot sequence (194-196) with American Eagle, Thomas E. Lannon and Summerwind rounding the first mark; and the Maritime Gloucester-based Ardelle, the newest and one of three Harold Burnham-built schooners participating along with Fame and Thomas E. Lannon.
Carl Gustin"
Brian writes-
High light of the weekend was not only Gloucester Schooner Festival 2012 and another awesome Gloucester event but Ed brought free food on the boat with him.
As seen from Rocky Neck, after the pot luck supper and sing-along on the schooner Adventure:
Well from the numbers I’m seeing around town and on the water I’d say that Al Bezanson and my monthlong push to make people aware of the Schooner Festival had a bit of an impact on those regular folks outside of the regular Schooner circles showing up.
Here are some photos from our FOB’s from the past couple of days-
Joey:
You may like these two photos of HMS Bounty leaving Gloucester on Monday morning. They show how large this schooner is. In the first photo you can compare the Bounty to the "Tuscan House" on Rocky Neck. The second photo compares Bounty with a foreground of small boats and a background of the Boulevard – a truly remarkable sight.
Take care — Christopher
Hi Joey
Had a great time on the Schooner American Eagle. We won the race for
the 8th time in the 23 years American Eagle as entered the race!
Heres some photos from the race for the blog.
Enjoy Anthony Marks
Yesterday’s race from Gail Guittarr
Janet Rice submits-
Ringo Tarr is at it again, folks. He’s putting on another FREE concert at the Boulevard.
Thousands of people danced and partied with us on July 3. Were you there? It was a perfect night for dancing and celebration.
Saturday’s concert features classic rock dance band Full Circle, so come ready to dance again!
Music starts at 7pm and continues until 11pm with breaks for the Boat Parade of Lights and Fireworks
Help celebrate the the Schooner Festival by dancing on the Boulevard.
Don’t miss the last free big outdoor concert of the summer!
Peter Webber writes-
Good afternoon. As Labor Day draws nearer we are looking forward to capping off a great Cape Ann summer season of festivals with the 28th annual Gloucester Schooner Festival, from Friday, August 31 through Sunday, September 2. We invite everyone to show your support for the Festival and help draw more customers and visitors into your place of business by printing and posting your own 8 ½ by 11 Schooner Festival poster. You will find a direct link to this year’s poster here. You may also may also view and download a printable version of the detailed schedule of weekend events here.
This year the Cape Ann Chamber and the Schooner Festival Committee have placed a renewed focus on supporting the next generation of sailors in a number of ways, including an invitation to up to 20 Cape Ann area teens (ages 12 to 18, first come, first served), to ride aboard participating schooners during the Parade of Sail and the Mayor’s Race for the Esperanto Cup on Sunday, September 2. If you know of anyone interested in being one of these young sailors, please contact the Chamber immediately to reserve his or her spot. In addition, the entire proceeds from one of the two raffles being run this year by the Schooner Festival Committee will be shared between the Gloucester High School sailing program and the Gloucester Museum School.
Details about both schooner raffles and the entire 2012 Gloucester Schooner Festival (including a full schedule of shore side activities on Saturday, capped off by the Parade of Lights and the Fireworks Display over Gloucester Harbor) can be found at www.capeannvacations.com/schooner.
On behalf of your Chamber team, the Gloucester Schooner Festival Committee, and the Gloucester Fireworks Committee we wish to express our thanks to all the sponsors and supporters of this year’s Schooner Festival and fireworks display. Your generous and continuing support make it possible to produce this great annual festival showcasing Cape Ann at its finest.
Also, remember to save the date of Thursday, October 4 and buy your ticket soon for the Chamber’s annual $25,000 Game. Only 500 tickets will be sold and the grand prize, as always, will be $10,000. Tickets are available now at the Chamber office and from members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
We wish all a great Cape Ann weekend. Best regards. Peter
Al Bezanson and I have been beating the drum for you to make your reservation for a sail aboard one of the many fine Schooners coming to Gloucester for Schooner Festival but I have to put my two cents in here as far as my Number 1 Pick.
Obvi- The Thomas E Lannon.
Tom Ellis and Kay and Heath and their crew are hands down the friendliest funnest people ever to sail a schooner. Tom Ellis being my hero and all doing something he loves to do and getting paid to do it in such grand fashion.
So anyway call now to book with the hometown team- The Lannon or The Ardelle. Once the Ardelle sends me their Schooner Festival schedule I’ll post it as well.
This from Kay-
The Schooner Festival is our favorite weekend in Gloucester. Lots of schooners will be here this year and that always makes for interesting sails. The Lannon will be sailing a lot over those few days, so check out our schedule and join us if you can. It is always fun to see these other vessels in our home port.
Friday, August 31st, we are sailing from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 3:00-5:00 p.m., 5:30-7:30 and offer a sail in the moonlight with dessert from 8:30-10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 1st we sail at 12:30-2:30 p.m., and 3:00-5:00 p.m. Then we offer a chowda and lobsta roll sunset dinner sail from 5:30-7:30 and a fireworks sail with dessert from 8:00-9:45 ish.
Sunday, Sept. 2nd is Schooner Race Day. Come onboard and join the crew for the day as we lead the Parade of Sail and then race in the Mayor’s Race for the Cameron Cup. Great fun!
Monday, Sept. 3rd, we sail from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2:00-4:00 p.m. and offer a sunset Celtic Music sail from 4:30-7:00.
We never seem to know exactly when the participating vessels will be arriving and departing, but we will do our best to sail near them for you. Bring your camera!
Give our office a call at 978 281-6634 to make your reservations. We hope to see you onboard.
You will find this poster and much more at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Two good books on the topic:
A Race for Real Sailors “Bluenose and the International Fisherman’s Cup 1920 – 1938” by Keith McLaren
Caught in Irons “North Atlantic Fishermen in the Last Days of Sail” by Michael W Santos
The 28th Annual Gloucester Schooner Race will be upon us September 2nd.
Al Bezanson
For more info about the Gloucester Schooner Festival Check Out The Chamber of Commerce website-
Gloucester Schooner Festival Information
WHERE?
Joey …. Schooners will be arriving for the Festival in less than two weeks. For some it will be a trek, but getting here can be half the fun. Sometimes. Depending on the breeze.
GREEN DRAGON is a ‘local’ boat but we are not always local. Here we were bound for the Festival. WHERE is this?
From Al Bezanson
2012 Schooner Festival with Adventure
HI Joey!
You’ve been in my gallery to see the ‘catch’ exhibit last yr, this yr., I’m featuring a guest artist to show with me –in my gallery: TUSINSKI GALLERY 2 Main St., Rockport, Ma
I’m hanging her work this Thursday evening so it will be up for the weekend, with a reception Sept.1st, 5-7 p.m.
Folks can re-visit my works, & ck out Kate’s amazing paintings as well ::: she will have several fish paintings that look just swimmingly!
Over ten years ago Kate & I used to share studio space for 3 yrs. in the former Blackburn Bldg….we had great views of ‘Fiesta’ as you can imagine.
http://www.karentusinskigallery.blogspot.com/
Melissa Cox Forwards-
Tracie Simonin writes-
While in Gloucester we will be opening to the public for dockside tours of
the ship during the Gloucester Schooner Festival. The cost will be $10
per adult, $5 per child and seniors and children under 5 are free. We
pride ourselves on bringing the ship to new places and sharing the story
of the Mutiny on the Bounty and what it is like to sail a traditional
square rigged vessel from the 1780’s. Although we are not a schooner, we
were anxious to be a part of the schooner festival that weekend and share
the Bounty with the town of Gloucester!
We would love it if you could share this info on your blog site. In the
meantime, feel free to link to our website where we too have a wonderful
blog that could get people excited about reading first hand from a crew
member her experiences with sailing with the ship this summer. Our link
is www.tallshipbounty.org.
Tracie Simonin
Director
HMS Bounty Organization, LLC
631-584-7900
www.tallshipbounty.org
Good morning, Joey:
As a longtime reader and friend of the blog, I know you are heavily into community service.
Each year, the members of Sandy Bay Engine Company 1 of the Rockport Fire Department raise money for a scholarship to honor the memory of one of our former officers, the late Fire Lieutenant Sheldon Knowles. Sheldon passed on many years ago, way too young, from the ravages of cancer but is still remembered by our department as a firefighter/EMT who served the town with a pride and a commitment to which we all aspire.
This year, the Engine Company is once again sponsoring a harbor cruise fundraiser on Cape Ann Whale Watch’s Hurricane II. I was hoping you could post the attached flyer on the blog to assist us with this.
Thanks very much for your help and for doing such a great job in promoting what’s truly the experience of living on Cape Ann .
Regards,
Capt Kris Juncker, Sr
Sandy Bay Engine Company 1
Rockport Fire Department
‘On Call Professionals Serving the Community with Pride.’
Joey… more photos from GREEN DRAGON and another reminder…
The Gloucester Schooner Race takes place September 2nd. Nowadays the race is set up as a beam reach, usually three times around a pair of buoys set a couple miles apart. Schooners are at their best reaching, with the wind on the beam, and if there is a good breeze their big mainsails provide all the power they can use. Reaching is also the most comfortable point of sail – no rock and roll. There is still space available for paying passengers on the larger boats, and the cost is usually less than the price of a ticket to a major league sporting event.
So, spectators, get off the boulevard and get on a boat for an up close and personal experience!
Al Bezanson
Hi Joey…The 28th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival will soon be upon us. I wonder how many remember The Annual Great Gloucester Schooner Races of the late 60’s. This is GREEN DRAGON after the circa 1969 race where we were decked out as fishermen.
Here was the deal for those races. They handed you a little piece of paper with an “X” on it, a black & copy of a section of Gloucester Harbor. Go anchor on that spot and when the boatload of old schoonermen comes by, hoist your sails and get underway ‘like fishermen.’ They would judge you for up to 25% of your score. When everyone got underway we gathered by the breakwater where we got the gun to race up to Newcombs and back, boat-for-boat, no handicap as I recall. Another 25% of your score. Keep on going and anchor on your X. No GPS or other instruments. You found it with landmarks. Only one try. Eventually the old timers came back, a captain came aboard, stood at your foremast and figured out how close you were to X by shooting bearings with a sextant. 50% of your score. Tough luck if the tide changed and you swung off it before the judges got to you. First place boat went to Lunenburg to face the speediest schooner they had at the time. These were all small schooners of 30 to 50 feet.
As for the crew in the photo. All but one are still walking. That’s my kid with the yellow hair. First one to ID the lot gets a beer on me at the Cape Ann Brewery or the Gloucester House or wherever he can find me during the festival this year.
Al Bezanson
Al Bezanson submits-
Polish your binoculars. The Gloucester Schooner Festival begins in 29 days.
AMERICAN EAGLE (1930) and ALABAMA (1926) from GREEN DRAGON in the 2011 race.
Enters Gloucester Harbor
click image for the full sized slide show-
Good Morning Gloucester 