New Schooner Becomes Part of Cape Ann History

Herald News Travel
By Art Jones

A little bit of history was made on Massachusetts' Cape Ann, earlier this summer, and you can be a part of it the next time you visit Gloucester and sail on the 65-foot Schooner Thomas E. Lannon.

The Lannon, a labor of love and fulfillment of a dream by Kay and Tom Ellis of Gloucester, was completed and launched June 17 at the Essex Marine Museum, site of the original Story Shipyard on the banks of the Essex River.

It marked the first time in 50 years that a launching of such magnitude has taken place in the community known for its schooners and fried clams.

Essex became world famous as a birthplace for schooners, with more than 4,000 being constructed along the Essex River's banks over the years.

The Thomas E. Lannon, named after Tom Ellis' grandfather a Gloucester fisherman from 1901-1943, was designed by Harold Burnham of Essex, who hails form a long line of ship builders dating back to the time of the Pilgrims.

Burnham based his design on that of the schooner Nokomis, built in Essex in 1903 by Capt. Melville McCain.

The new wooden vessel, with a beam of 18 feet, was floated down the Essex River to Gloucester and rigged by Stan Dulong, who's been rigging boats for a half century. The Thomas E. Lannon is now berthed at the Seven Seas Wharf, Gloucester House Restaurant, on Rogers Street (Route 127), right in the middle of Gloucester's active downtown boating area. The schooner is licensed to carry 49 passengers.

Gloucester has a very busy and congested inner harbor, but boasts a magnificent outer harbor.

And that's the real beauty of sailing on the Thomas E. Lannon. Depending on water and weather conditions, the captain can either head out to open sea, or a wonderful sail can be had without ever leaving the outer harbor.

Passengers are invited to get into the action and lend a hand as the crew hoists and sets the sails. I always enjoy this part of sailing.

Once everything is set, everyone seems to gaze up at the billowing sails and take a sense of pride that they had something to do with getting this magnificent vessel moving through the water.

It's a two-hour cruise, and you get some great views of the surrounding landscapes of Gloucester, Eastern Point and Magnolia.

Passengers and crew soon become bonded with one another, and, if you ask, the skipper might even let you take the wheel for a while-I did. The Thomas E. Lannon sails beautifully.

Another great new attraction in this famous port.

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