Today we splashed the dink and went ashore to the Harbormaster's dinghy dock. The dogs were delighted to have a nice grassy area to walk, and well, uh, you know.
We walked up the hill, around a lovely park area with lots of small wayside exhibits that tell a little of the history of the town.
Then we walked around the circle, and in a southerly direction to the Gloucester Fishermen's Memorial, where the names of over 5368 "Men Known to be Lost at Sea and Honored Here" are on raised plaques in a semi-circle around a statue.
Gleanings from the exhibit:
Of the nearly 1000 ships lost, those lost with all hands: 265
Between 1860-1906, a staggering 660 ships sank.
While many of the fishermen were saved, 3880 men were lost.
A single storm in 1862 claimed 15 schooners, and 120 men.
Another devastating storm in 1879 took the lives of 159 men.
The names date back to 1716, up to recent history. I knew one of the men, who I'd met in Tortugas years ago.
There is a quote from Psalms 107:23-24 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters: These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.
Speaking from the perspective of someone who has spent my life on the sea, it is a nice memorial.
We walked back down to the harbor, this time through town, along a bunch of shops.
We met our friends on the Nordic Tug Encore, and the S/V Daruma, each of which came in this afternoon, and we all went to dinner together at The Gloucester House. What great fun!
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