Clouds of White Sail tells the story of how early-twentieth-century fishermen from New England and the Maritime Provinces used the International Fishermen's Races to reignite the public's love affair with the beauty of their ships and the romance of the sea in order to hold onto their way of life.
Clouds of White Sail tells the story of how early-twentieth-century fishermen from New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces used the International Fishermen's Races to reignite the public's love affair with the beauty of their ships and the romance of the sea in order to hold onto their way of life.
The Schooner Adventure was built in 1926. Designed by Thomas McManus as a 'knockabout'-having no bowsprit, which was known as a 'widow maker' due to the danger of working on the jib-she spent 27 years fishing cod, haddock and halibut off Georges Bank. Since her return to Gloucester in 1988, she has become a National Historical Landmark and serves to preserve and celebrate the traditions of America's oldest port through education, interpretation, and community events. As her skipper, I appreciate what she stands for, which is why I find Michael Santos' book, Clouds of White Sail, so compelling. He has captured the story of the fishermen and the ships they sailed in a readable narrative that helps us to understand their experiences and their contributions to American maritime history.
