On Friday June 5, 2009 NELL members drove to the Marriott Hotel
in Peabody MA to attend New England Lighthouse Lovers spring
cruise on Saturday. The cruise was a 13-lighthouse cruise on the
Prince of Wales out of Newburyport, Ma, which is considered the
birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard.
With overcast skies, the day did not start out as the best day
for a cruise, but it did hold a promise of clearing later in the
day. So at 9:30 a.m. with the order given to “cast off all
lines”, the Prince of Wales got underway and headed for the
Newburyport Range Lights. As we left the harbor, Newburyport
Rear Range came into view and next, on the grounds of Coast
Guard Station Merrimack River, Newburyport Front Range. Leaving
the area, you could see Plum Island light thru the trees, which
made for a nice picture.
From here, we went to Straitsmouth Island Light and then to
Thatcher Island. As we got into more open waters, the seas got a
little rougher causing several folks to get “a little green
around the gills”. Things did not change as we approached the
twin lights of Thatcher Island but the anticipation of seeing
the lights helped, albeit temporarily.
On the way to Eastern Point, the sun started to peek out from
behind the clouds and at Bakers Island, the day started to
brighten. By the time we reached Hospital Point the sun was
shining, transforming what was a dreary day into a beautiful
sunny day, just right for a lighthouse cruise, and just in time
for lunch.
We continued on to see Fort Pickering Light, Derby Wharf,
Marblehead, Ten Pound Island Light. When we finished at Ten
Pound Light, the captain set course for Annisquam.
Cruising to Annisquam, we saw the 1923 Fisherman’s Memorial in
Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester MA. This touching memorial is an
eight-foot tall, bronze statue of a fisherman dressed in
oilskins standing braced at the wheel of his ship, and is
resting on a granite base. On that base is an inscription (in
bronze letters) taken from the 107th Psalm, which reads: THEY
THAT GO DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS 1623 – 1923. The memorial is
located on the south side of Stacy Blvd. at the edge of
Gloucester Harbor.
Passing by the memorial, we approached the Blynman Bridge, known
by the locals as the Cut Bridge. The bridge got its name from
Rev. Blynman who, in 1643 supervised the first cut of the canal,
which connects Ipswich Bay to Gloucester Harbor.
As the drawbridge opened and we entered the canal, we were
followed by what appeared to be a small “wagon train” of
pleasure boats. After a picturesque ride thru the canal, we came
to Annisquam Light, which when first built was a 32-foot wooden
tower. A larger 40-foot octagonal tower was built in 1851. Then
46 years later in 1897, it was rebuilt again. This time brick
was used and the tower still stands today on the same foundation
as its predecessor.
In 1974, the lighthouse was automated. Then in 2000, Annisquam
underwent a major renovation with approximately 3,000 bricks
being replaced, along with metal support beams.
Annisquam was the last light on our
schedule. Overall, we had good weather and everyone had a good
time.
