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With great sadness, we share the news of the passing of Mr. Richard Low
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For the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum there was a before, during and now sadly an after Dick Low. We have so much to thank him for. Before Dick joined the Board of Directors in 2013, the Society had grown from a small annual budget supporting the efforts of volunteers working, meeting and exhibiting in the town owned ‘School House’ building into a much larger and more complex institution with staff, departments, land holdings and investments. The growth was rapid and yet required dogged attention to the bedrock of the institution, it’s mission, collection and archives. Dick turned to on all fronts. His quiet, methodical, fatherly approach guided the Museum through many difficult decisions. He would always step forward to pitch in, offering to help in any way he could. Joining the finance committee he brought his knowledge and assurance to bear. Agreeing to Chair the Collections Committee, he brought his passion for our shared history forward building a vital link between the Board and the important work of the curatorial team. Speaking for myself, I can’t help but smile when he comes to mind. Speaking for all at this little museum, we miss him dearly. -David Brown, VP Board of Directors https://obituaries.salemnews.com/obituary/richard-low-1082362898
The entire EHSSM community would like to express our deepest sympathy and comfort to Dick’s family and friends during this difficult time.
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It was a beautiful day in Essex. The new deck is in and we’re getting closer to opening for the season. Follow us on Instagram and FB for progress updates as our work continues. |
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Topsfield Vocational Academy ~ Garvey Crew
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Fitting inwale, spacer blocks installed. |
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Helm Installed. Working on console and steering cable. |
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Forward quarter knee install and shaped |
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They’re in the home stretch and hoping for a June 10th LAUNCH DAY ! Motor install coming soon, along with some other cosmetic touch ups. The TVA students have worked tirelessly for over a year, during a pandemic (when restrictions allowed) to build this beautiful craft. While learning to use hand and power tools, the students explore the rich history and culture of shipbuilding, while also acquiring essential life skills. |
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No sooner than the deck was completed, our very reliable volunteer crew ~ Bill Wells, John Daley, Michael McGarty (BOD) was there to ensure the new access ramp had a smooth transition to grade. |
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Tales from the library. One of the interesting things about organizing the library is finding items that are important locally but were not widely published or held outside some very specialized libraries. Case in point is the Yearbook of the Gloucester Master Mariners’ Association:
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The Yearbook was published from roughly 1916 to 1967, although we have a volume from 1906 that is similar, and included with the others. We don’t have all of them, but enough to be interesting. From 1927, here is one of the advertisements. |
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Nice picture of a schooner, identified as the HENRY FORD built by A.D. Story in 1922 with no engine. However, a 100hp engine was added in 1926. Somewhere along the line somebody crossed out HENRY FORD and penciled in PURITAN. |
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There aren’t many pictures of PURITAN, who went down three months and a week after being launched from the John F. James & Son yard in 1922. The picture quality isn’t great, but this does look like PURITAN - which never had an engine! Confusion at the advertising agency? Who penciled in the correct(?) name? We’ll probably never know, but it does make for speculation. |
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Another annual publication is Fishermen of the Atlantic, annually issued from the Fishing Masters’ Association based in Boston. This was issued from roughly 1915 until the 1960s. Again our collection is not complete, but enough to be interesting. |
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Fishermen of the Atlantic is not entirely Boston oriented, as in 1926 the chair of the directors was skipper of the John F. James & Son built schooner ISABELLE PARKER (1925). |
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In the issue are pictures of the ISABELLE PARKER, the much maligned MAYFLOWER (John F. James & son, 1921), HENRY FORD (A.D. Story, 1922), GERTRUDE DE COSTA (James & Tarr, 1912), ELK (A.D. Story, 1910), COLUMBIA (A.D. Story, 1923), HELEN B. THOMAS (the first knockabout, Oxner & Story, 1902), COMMONWEALTH (the first vessel built by J.F. James & Son, 1913) Also what looks like a study for the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue, and this guy, wondering what his share might be. |
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Frame Up to Fit Out - SYLVINA W. BEAL: A Learning JourneyJoin Katherine Dench, Mass Cultural Council’s granted apprentice to master shipwright Harold Burnham, as she chronicles her experience in taking part in the restoration process and wooden boat building - from sketch to launch. When: Second Thursday of every month from 7-8pm from March to June via ZOOM June 10th, 2021 - 7pm (4 of 4) FREE |
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These zoom talks and videos are available to you by a generous grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. |
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Other ways to give When shopping on Amazon, consider starting at smile.amazon.com and selecting EHSSM as your charity of choice - Amazon will donate a portion of each sale to the museum, at no extra cost to you! Or donate through our Amazon wish list https://a.co/0GzihVA
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Judith Nast and Paul Cole are selling BALD EAGLE. Contact Judi with serious inquiries only, judithnast@gmail.com BALD EAGLE is a classic small schooner, 37’. S.S. Crocker design. Built by Bud McIntosh in 1955 with a 2002 total rebuild by Harold Burnham, Essex MA. Comfortable, sea-kindly and beautiful. Easily sailed with two. She has many 2017-2020 upgrades that include traditional white raised panel/mahogany trim interior, wiring, electronics, LED lights, sails and tankage. Competed successfully for many years at the Gloucester Schooner Festival. $85,000 Dimensions & Weight LOD 37 ft. LOA 45 ft LWL 33 ft Beam 10 ft 9 in. Draft 5 ft. Displacement 8 ton Engine: Make Westerbeke Model W21(A) Cruise Speed: 5-6 kts Engine Type Inboard Fuel Type Diesel Horsepower 21 Max Speed 6.5 kts Major Service 2017 (Water pump, heat exchanger, front & rear oil seals, exhaust manifold, oil pan seal, radiator hoses, valve adjustments, engine mounts, block sandblasted and painted) Tank Capacities: Fuel 2016 30 gal. Water 2017 30 gal
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Joe Horne is selling his Brad Story Built Cat Boat. Contact Joe with serious inquiries only, joe@calvinkleinstudio.com
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