Gloucester Schooner Festival

The Gloucester Schooner Festival gets underway this weekend. I'm reminded of this because one of the ships pulled in yesterday and is anchored in Ipswich Bay, within sight of Lanes Cove. She is the Gazela Primeiro, owned by the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild.

Length: 177 ft. overall, 140 ft. on deck, 133 ft. on the waterline
Height: 94 ft. from the deck
Width: 26 ft. at maximum beam
Draft: approx. 17 ft.
Tonnage: 652 deadweight, 299 gross

Fabulous Weather

The last few days have been fabulous--August seems to cool off quickly giving us temperate days and cool nights. You just can't buy better weather. Soon September will come in with shorter days and lower temperatures, though we've gotten some downright hot days in the month. Could use more rain though, the yard and garden are showing some signs of stress.

Historic Lanes Cove

Here is a postcard produced for the Shute and Merchant Co., (check the website--it is very nicely done). Shute and Merchant Co. was a large fish packing company in the late 1800's and early 1900's (since purchased by Gorton's of Gloucester).

These postcards were given away as promotional items. You get an idea of scale of the operation of granite loading in this time.

The Restless Tides

Watching the cove everyday, you can't miss the effects of the tide. The average rise and fall is listed at 9.5' and the edge of the water at the shallow end of the cove must go 75 yards (at least) from low tide to high tide. Saw someone digging clams last weekend at low tide, though it is currently restricted in the cove. Don't know if he took any home with him or not.

An interesting discussion took place on a message board on Cape Ann Online about tides and some of the misconceptions, especially how people who have never seen the ocean perceive (or misperceive) how tides works. NOAA has a very technical discussion on the subject on their series called Our Restless Tides.

Anyway, it is just another aspect of the cove that changes constantly.

SSV Corwith Cramer Anchors in Ipswich Bay

Sighted another significant ship anchored in Ipswich Bay off of Lanes Cove. Found out it was the SSV Corwith Cramer, a teaching vessel that is part of Woods Hole Sea Semester program. The top picture was taken through a telescope, the bottom one is a stock photo from Woods Hole. Here is her current position. She was built in 1987 as a research vessel, rigged as a brigatine, 137' long, beam of 26' and has a complement of 36 persons. She headed out this morning.
It is sooo cool to see vessels like this and the Twizzle anchored off your back door.

Mary the Beloved

You have to love Lanesville. I mean, how many places have a "Mary the Beloved" procession? I must admit that I missed it (again), but I really need to check it out next year. If you made it this year, leave me a comment.

Discovery Adventures Sends Another Kayaking Group Out

Discovery Adventures out of Lanes Cove had a full group last Sunday. Stacey Johnson headed the tour. Just another spectacular day On the Cove.

Kayakers getting ready to go

Beautiful day for a paddle

On the Cove in the background

Stacey getting a boat ready

So, when can we go?

Finally heading out

Cape Ann is a Kayaker's Paradise

I ran across this in Lisa Gollin Evans book Sea Kayaking Coastal Massachusetts.

Cape Ann is a kayaker's paradise, offering gorgeous, rocky coastline; challenging open water; marvelous bird life; and quaint, weather-hardened towns. Kayakers return again and again to Cape Ann, for the ocean's mood are infinite. There's a quality to the light and color of the water--an alluring harshness and wildness that is particular to Cape Ann. Think of a painting by Winslow Homer or Fitz Hugh Lane. Kayakers are drawn to Cape Ann's elemental seriousness, to the gravity of its beauty, its challenges, and the freshness of its wind. For the best trip, paddle Cape Ann in the off-season. Harbor seals, shorebirds, and solitude then add to the area's considerable charm.

Coal Bin. I talked to a man whose grandfather was born in the house next to ours. He told me stories of the cove and where these walls stand was the coal bin for the granite company that operated out of Lanes Cove. He told me that though the families that lived her were very poor and could not afford to keep their houses warm in the winter, they would never steal the coal that was just steps from their door.