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History

 

Dory Fishing 1926–1953

Captain Jeff Thomas

Captain Jeff Thomas

Captain Jeff Thomas
(1926–1934)

Captain Jeff Thomas, a successful highlining skipper out of Gloucester, had his own vessel built after years of skippering other Gloucester vessels. His son, Gordon W. Thomas, provided the name Adventure. This ended up being Capt. Jeff’s last vessel as he died on board in March 1934 of a heart attack after chopping ice off of the frozen gear.

 

Captain Leo Hynes

Captain Leo Hynes

 Captain Leo Hynes
(1934–1953)

“In and Out Hynes” took Adventure dory fishing out of Boston bringing in some of the largest catches on record. When he retired Adventure in 1953, she was the last American dory fishing vessel. John Clayton, amateur photgrapher, documented her last 3 years with photos and film footage taken on a number of voyages during those 3 summers.

DORY FISHING

Bait-cutting web

Chopping Bait

trawl lines

Trawl line and tubs

launching dory

Launching dory

setting trawl

Setting trawl

Dory with catch

Dory with catch

A-061 Dory-alongside

Forking up the catch

Fisherman work on the Adventure

“Dressing” the fish

Fish hold

Down to the fish hold to be packed in ice

unloading fish

Unloading in Boston

Back out again

Back out again….

  • HISTORY
  • Adventure’s History
    • Dory Fishing 1926-1953
    • Windjamming 1954-1988
    • National Historic Landmark 1988-present
  • Restoration
  • Gloucester Fishing Industry
    • 1600€™s
    • 1700€™s
    • 1800s
    • 1900€™s
  • Dory Fishing Gear
  • Skippy!


Thank You to our Partners

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National Trust of Historic Preservation Mass Humanities Massachusetts Cultural Council Preserve America Sp_EssexNat_2x Gloucester 400

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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