Come crew for the flagship of Gloucester and a National Historic Landmark! Our Captain is looking for full-season, live aboard crew available May 3, 2024- October 7, 2024. Adventure sails from June through September each year, doing a combination of public sails, deck tours, educational charters, and private charters. To learn more and apply, visit our job opportunities page.
Join us on Tuesday, January 23, 5:30 PM for a “Mug Up” with the Captain. Meet the only woman captain in Adventure’s history. Hear about Captain Miller- Shelley’s first-year odyssey on board. Learn about the 2023 -2024 Fall/Winter Haul Out and preservation work. Is there a topic you would like to hear about from the Captain? Please send your ideas to linda@schooner-adventure.org. There will be time after the talk for questions and answers.
If you missed this Zoom or you were there and want to relive the magic, please click here for the recording.
Thank you to all who gave to the 2023 Annual Appeal. 100% of our board and staff contributed to form a match pledge of $35,000 which was matched by many friends of Adventure exceeding our goal by 135%! Huzzah!
During the fall and winter of 2023, the Adventure team has been hard at work on a planned Haul Out funded by generous grants from the City of Gloucester Community Preservation Committee, private foundations, and donations from individuals. Adventure is required by the United States Coast Guard to periodically haul out to perform routine maintenance and safety checks. The Captain, Mate, and a team of volunteers have put in thousands of hours, alongside the pros at Gloucester Marine Railways, doing reconnaissance and preservation work to make sure the vessel stays strong and safe for sailing in 2024.
Rudder: The existing rudder and stock which date back to at least 1950, (and are speculated to be 1926 originals) have been removed. The design for the replacements is in the works with the rudder being initially constructed at Back Narrows Boatyard and delivered to GMR for final shaping and installation. The bronze pintles and gudgeons will be realigned and refaced to allow smoother steerage action.
Propeller: The existing propeller has been removed and the aperture around it has been shaped to allow more for more efficient water flow. The new propeller has a greater pitch so that the engine will operate more efficiently, extending the life of the engine.
Masts: The masts have been removed for inspection and preventative maintenance. Upon initial inspection, the masts have been found to be healthy. The masts will be sounded by the shipwrights to further confirm no heart rot is present. Some early signs of rot were found in some of the framing aloft, which has been pulled off for replacement to inhibit any spread to the masts. In addition to overhauling the masts,maintenance on board that cannot be accessed with the masts in place is being performed.
Caulking & Painting: Routine seam maintenance will ensure the watertight integrity of the hull. The hull and bottom will be painted with anti-fouling marine paint generously donated by corporate sponsor INTERLUX / AkzoNobel.
Recently a group of board members, staff, and friends of Adventure visited the railways to learn more from our Captain and volunteers. Check out the video here
Together we steward this magnificent National Historic Landmark schooner. Major haul outs are a major part of our mission to preserve New England fishing heritage.
Thank you to our amazing patrons, members, volunteers, and crew for a terrific season! We look forward to welcoming you back on board next June. Stay in touch! Follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our eBlast to receive all the latest Adventure news and events info. We are now accepting reservations for 2024 private charters!
Adventure turned 97 on Saturday, September 16 but due to Hurricane predictions, we postponed our celebration till Tuesday, September 26. A full complement of 60 passengers joined us to commemorate and celebrate her historic launching from the shipyard in Essex on the same date in 1926.
Folks enjoyed musical entertainment by well-known folk artists Larry Young and John Roberts. A buffet of Jeff’s Variety lobster rolls, charcuterie by Vidalia’s of Beverly, and birthday cupcakes from Cake Ann kept our guests well-fed. A cannon salute in honor of the Gloucester 400+ and the Taste of Cape Ann Raffle drawing rounded out the fun! We finished the season with a bang!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Peter, Audi, and Zinnia Souza
Cape Ann Designs (Sea Glass Accessories and Wearable Art – celebrating 20 years)
Learn more about JOHN ROBERTS
Learn more about LARRY YOUNG
THANK YOU TO THESE CAPE ANN BUSINESSES
for their donations of gift certificates:
Alexandra’s Bread
The Azorean Restaurant
Beauport 1606 Restaurant
Breakwater Poke
Caffe Bishco
Caffe Sicilia
CakeAnn
Cape Ann Olive Oil Comp.
Causeway
Destinos
George’s
Gloucester House
Jalapenos
Machaca
Meats and Sweets
Minglewood
Pilot House
Passports
The Salted Cod
Seaport Grille
Stone’s Pub
Talise
Virgillios
Yella’s on the Water
Yellow Sub
Congratulations to our winners of the Taste of Cape Ann! Â Friends of Schooner Adventure were proud to support Cape Ann businesses and culinary culture while supporting our maritime heritage. Thank you to all who participated to help us make our goal! With the $4,000 raised we’ll be able to provide:
- A family sail for an adult ed. group.
plus - an experiential deck tour for 20 young adults.
plus - training for 10 sea scouts.
Tickets sold for $20 each or 6 for $100. The raffle drawing was held on the 97th Anniversary Sail on September 26.
Winners:
Meghan Fennell – Grand Prize ($1,000 worth of foodie gift certificates)
Peter Masters & Mary Salerno – 2nd Prize
Dalton Ismail – 3rd Prize (Schooner Adventure crew member)
 Â
THANK YOU TO THESE CAPE ANN BUSINESSES
for their donations of gift certificates!
Alexandra’s Bread
The Azorean Restaurant
Beauport 1606 Restaurant
Breakwater Poke
Caffe Bishco
Caffe Sicilia
CakeAnn
Cape Ann Olive Oil Comp.
Causeway
Destinos
George’s
Gloucester House
Jalapenos
Machaca
Meats and Sweets
Minglewood
Pilot House
Passports
The Salted Cod
Seaport Grille
Stone’s Pub
Talise
Virgillios
Yella’s on the Water
Yellow Sub
Adventure is calling! New this year, Gloucester’s flagship and only National Historic Landmark vessel will be located at PierI4C2 during Gloucester’s 39th annual Schooner Festival. Visit our calendar to book your sail on an authentic part of Gloucester’s fishing heritage. Captain Miller-Shelley says” We’ve been preparing all season for this weekend. We’ve taken every tack and opportunity to train for the race in hopes of making the shortest time possible around the marks. I’m looking forward to the excitement and friendly competition of sailing alongside other schooners and their crews.”
Friday, September 1
Kick-Off Sail –10 AM – 1:00 PM
Catch a glimpse of the excitement building out on the water.
Festival Fleet Sail — 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Greet the fleet as they begin to arrive.
Saturday, September 2
Heritage Day Sail — 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Sail out among 28 other Schooners from around the nation.
Sunday, September 3
Mayor’s Cup Race & Parade of Sail — 8 AM – 5 PM
This all day excursion complete with breakfast and lunch is the biggest sailing day of the year! Help Adventure’s captain & crew lead the parade and capture first place in the race!