A Special Gloucester Schooner Festival!

There was special meaning to this years Gloucester Schooner Festival, Joseph Garland an historian,writer and sailor passed away this past week. Just a few weeks shy of his 89th birthday, Joe was instrumental bringing to the city the schooner "Adventure" back to her home. And since the beginning of the Festival he was the voice heard over the loud speakers along Stacy Boulevard enthusiastically providing details of every vessel as she passed.

This years Parade of Sail began under cloudy skies but as the fleet approached the Boulevard the sun broke through! In the boat with me was my brother-in-law Mark and fellow blogger and friend Steve Borichevsky of Shooting My Universe. Check out Steve's work, you won't be disappointed!

In the meantime this will be my first installment....After taking 436 images I got some more editing to do!



The day before.

The schooners "Harvey Gamage" and the "Spirit of Massachusetts" missed the party again while being hauled out for overhaul.

"Dove II" arrives.

Crowded docks!

"Friendship"

Hazy Sunset.

"Roseway"

"old Glory" hangs from the main booms.

Sunset over the schooners.

Fitz Henry Lane House as onlookers look down on the docked schooners.

Morning of the Parade of Sail.

"Thomas E. Lannon" leads the parade.

Heading out.

"Sugar Babe", "Fame" and "Lewis H. Story" approach the Boulevard.

"Liberty Clipper"

Gloucester's newest schooner "Ardelle" and "American Eagle".

Lobsterman Mark Ring and family take in the festivities.

"Roseway" heads out.

"Roseway" greetings!

"Roseway" and "Ardelle"

Reds sails of "Roseway" and "Sugar Babe".

"Friendship" bathed in sunshine.

"Freindship" bowsprit.

"Lewis H. Story" leads "Liberty Clipper" and "Dove II".

"Ardelle" leads "Fame".

"American Eagle" was once a Gloucester fishing dragger!