Share Your Memories
Have you sailed on Schooner Adventure? Tell us about it!
Do you have a relative that worked aboard her? Share their story.
Have you sailed on Schooner Adventure? Tell us about it!
Do you have a relative that worked aboard her? Share their story.
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Docked at: Maritime Gloucester Harriet Webster Pier, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA
Mail to: The Gloucester Adventure, Inc., PO Box 1306, Gloucester, MA 01931
Office: Fitz Henry Lane House, 4 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA
Email: info@schooner-adventure.org | Phone: 978-281-8079
Copyright © The Gloucester Adventure, Inc | Header Photo © Cheryl Briscoe | Skippy Illustration © Rusty Kinnunen
I am the Great Grandson of a Gloucester Skipper, and am a fisherman myself. I am lucky to count among my friends Jeff Thomas II, Archie MacLeod Jr, the Morrissey’s and other members of some of the most famous fishing families ever to ply their trade out of Gloucester. Joe Garland was also a mentor and friend. What you all are doing is of the utmost historical importance, as the Adventure like the Man At The Wheel, is an iconic symbol of this Cities maritime history. Your efforts are noble and greatly appreciated by many.
Just finished Capt Sharps memoir. We had a bicycle shop on the public landing road in camden through the mid to late 70’s. Wonderful memories and I had no idea Jim had so much energy. Sail on.
My Grandfather, “Frenchy” Doucette worked on this boat and I am so honored to not only be a Gloucestermans Granddaughter, but to be able to drive up and visit his boat whenever I want. You have kept my Papas legacy live on and I thank you for all of the work you do.
~Lauren M. Doucette
I sailed on her several times in 1969 & 1970. At the end of the 69 season I helped take the sails off the boat and assisted in hoisting the sails to the loft for winer storage. We even removed the boom and gaff for storage on the deck. In addition we were treated to breakfast at his home. So glad she has been restored.
Remember her well … was at Maine Maritime and she would call on Castine … Capt Newt was a teacher at Admiral Farragut in Pine beach NJ .. and when in Castine would invite a few of us Farragut guys on board for some sea chanties and a little time away from the school .. Have (somewhere) a LP of Newt and the crew signing those old chanties …. brings back memories .. the visits on board were a welcome relief from the stress of our MUG year at Maine Maritime … thought the grand old lady was gone from us …
I was aboard ADVENTURE as guest crew in June 1966. We sailed from Camden, Maine for a week. It was foggy the whole time except for the first and last day so sailing through the off shore islands was out of the question in fact the fog horn was kept going for much of the time were under power being pushed by the new yaw boat. Jim Sharp was the captain and his wife Louise was cook and served up a great fishermans stew prepared on her wood burning range in the fore of the ship I don’t remember any of the other crew but they did a professional job. We too had the lobster dinner on the rocky shore of an unnamed island where Captain Sharp purchased from a passing lobsterman our dinner that was ample and well prepared. I caution those aboard that the experience will infect your brains take my example, this last summer (2013 47 years after my trip) I found myself aboard the Pride of Baltimore a topsail schooner as guest crew sailing the Great Lakes in celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812. I boarded at Sault Ste Marie sailing across Lake Superior to Duluth then back again to the Straits of Mackinac and under the bridge in to Lake Michigan stopping at Charlevoix and Boyne City then on to Chicago. When you get the urge it is called wanderlust Just do it.
After a visit to the Adventure, my late husband decided to make a half model to use as a fund raiser. I understand it was a success. That was not enough so he made another half model which was presented to a donor who in turn gave it to Gloucester to hand in the rotunda of City Hall. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to include in my writings for my children. If someone would be so kind as to take a picture and send it to me, I would be forever grateful. It was an experience I will always remember visiting with the Runkles and seeing the ship.
My husbands name: Thomas (Tom) Parks . If Marty is around I am sure he will remember.
Looking forward to getting a picture either via email or as a photo. My home address is 1289 Mandarin Dr. Sunnyvale, CA 94087.
If you want some money to cover the photos and mailing, I am happy to send it to you.
Hopefully I will be finding several pictures soon.
Sincerely,
Althea Parks
I was a volunteer 1993-1993 and wrote the Massachusetts Historical Society Grant to start this rebuilding process. It’s a pleassure to see the photos from her recent sail and I hope to be on another one soon. I’m out in California now and lost track.
In July 1966 I sailed on the Adventure.
My mother, concerned that I was 26 and not married , said ” Who can you meet on a vacation like that!”
Well I met my husband Joel Katz.
We have been on a Life Adventure ever since for 45 years.
Our most memorable experiences on Jim Sharp’s boat were the lobster bake with seaweed, Joel diving off the boat into freezing cold water, Getting sea water dumped on my head to wash my hair, Captain Jim’s’s amazing sailing skills racing the “Mary Day” , sing-alongs accompanied by the boat’s Parlor Organ , helping to ” furl the fors’ls and just the thrill of sailing such a magnificent boat thru sun, fog, calm and choppy waters.
Something that city girl had never done before in her life.
It was an amazing vacation that had a major impact on our lives.
We’ve sailed on many sailboats in different parts of the world since.
Elinor and Joel Katz
Jamaica, Vermont
George, Sorry to have missed you. we got the photo in the office and love it!