GMR Signature Sponsorship provided by
.png)
July 6th - 9th, 2023
The Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous celebrates the combined heritage of two great fishing towns and their connection to the sea. Gloucester, Massachusetts and Luneburg, Nova Scotia. In this annual tradition, once more the Gloucester International Dory Racing Committee hosts the Canadian Dory Rowing Association from Nova Scotia to compete against the best dory rowers from Gloucester, going head-to-head on Gloucester's historic harbor.
This year we commemorate Gloucester's 400th year with a special race and unique gathering of historically significant vessels. Join Maritime Gloucester, the Dory Racing Committee, and our local schooner fleet as we host an exciting weekend of signature historic sailing vessels and an international rowing event 71 years in the making.
International Dory Races
One of the greatest traditions in Gloucester is the International Dory Races. For 70 years, these races have pitted Gloucestermen against our Bluenose counterparts to the North. More than just a race, it has become a symbol of our shared heritage as historic fishing communities on the North Atlantic.
Dory races between Gloucester, Massachusetts and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia are on a home and away series, usually held annually in July (in Gloucester) and September (in Lunenburg). Dory competitions were run for many years with the official international races being held in 1952. Originally held only in Gloucester, they were later expanded to include a match race of the Gloucester winner against the winner of the Lunenburg races.
For more on the Race Day Schedule, visit
Brian Durie - A Rower's Tribute
courtesy of Gloucester IDRC - watch on youtube
Participating Schooners
PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II
Homeport: Baltimore, MD
Length on Deck: 100 ft
GMR Location: I4C2 Schooner Docks
Pride of Baltimore II is a topsail schooner built to the lines of an 1812-era Baltimore Clipper. Pride of Baltimore II was launched from her Inner Harbor birthplace on April 30, 1988. Since her commissioning, Pride II has sailed over 250,000 nautical miles and visited more than 200 ports in 40 countries
COLUMBIA
Homeport: Panama City, FL
Length on Deck: 145 ft
GMR Location: I4C2 Schooner Docks
Brian D'Isernia discovered the original line plans of the 1920s Columbia in the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and fulfilled a lifelong dream of bringing a significant piece of maritime history back to life in 2014 when Columbia was (re)born.
ADVENTURE
Homeport: Gloucester, MA
Length on Deck: 122 ft
GMR Location: CHANGE: Maritime Gloucester Pier
Built in 1926, the Adventure is one of the last of the Gloucester fishing schooners, known as "Gloucestermen," and famous throughout the world. The Adventure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, designated a National Historic Landmark, and an Official Project of Save America's Treasures.
ARDELLE
Homeport: Gloucester, MA
Length on Deck: 58 ft
GMR Location: Maritime Gloucester Pier
The Flagship of Maritime Gloucester, the Ardelle is a pinky schooner built by master shipbuilder, Harold Burnham. Sailing out of Maritime Gloucester, this traditional vessel harkens back to the early age of fishing and historic local vessels.
THOMAS E. LANNON
Homeport: Gloucester, MA
Length on Deck: 65ft
GMR Location: Seven Seas Wharf near I4C2
The Thomas E. Lannon was built in Essex, MA in 1997 for Tom Ellis by Harold Burnham. Her lines were taken from those of the swordfishing schooner Nokomis, designed by Capt. Mel McClain in 1903.
WHEN AND IF
Homeport: Salem, MA
Length on Deck: 63.5 ft
GMR Location: I4C2 Schooner Docks (Sunday Only)
Welcome to the Schooner When And If. Built in 1939 for General George S. Patton, When And If was commissioned by Patton himself from naval architect John Alden, and built by FF Pendleton in Wiscasset, ME to sail around the world “When the war is over, and If I live through it.”
ISABELLA
Homeport: Gloucester, MA
Length on Deck: 39 ft
GMR Location: Maritime Gloucester Pier
Commissioned in 2005 and built by Harold Burnham, she is the newest in the Maritime Heritage Charters fleet. Harold based her on versions of schooners he had seen in Fitz Henry Lane's paintings.
REDBIRD
Homeport: Essex, MA
Length on Deck: 32 ft
GMR Location: I4C2 Docks
The Schooner Redbird, owned by Gloucester Schoonfer Festival Chair Daisy Nell, and her husband Stan Collinson, Essex, MA, was designed by Bruce Bingham, built in 1982, by Norman Bonenburger at Boney's Boatworks in Vallejo, CA. Her hull is constructed of ferro-cement. In 2014 they sailed her to Cape Ann from Portsmouth, VA, and have since cruised regularly to Swan's Island, ME to lead the Burnt Coat Harbor Chantey Caroling for the Sweet Chariot Music Festival.
It is with great regret that Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous must announce the withdrawal of Bluenose II from our event. Due to circumstances beyond their control, including the devastating fires in Nova Scotia, their required yard and inspections were delayed. Bluenose II and the Pictou yard workers valiantly attempted to make up for these delays and every effort was made to maintain their hopes to come. Unfortunately, weather in the final days has delayed them further, making their participation impossible.
No one is more upset by this than Bluenose II. We wish them fair winds and following seas as they move off the railway next week and into a glorious summer of events! We hope to see them crossing the breakwater soon.
Schedule of Events
Time ranges are given for each event and not all vessels will participate in all scheduled events. Please click on the links provided to schedule your sailing ticket with each vessel. CHARTERS ARE AVAILABLE with some listed vessels. All events are weather dependent and information will be updated with more specific times closer to the event. Deck tours and museum admission are free unless otherwise noted.
THURSDAYJUL06
2023
WELCOME TO
GLOUCESTER!
Kick off the Rendezvous with a day of heritage, and breathtaking schooner sails on Gloucester Harbor.
On Land:
10:00am
to 4:00pm
MARITIME GLOUCESTER
Museums and Exhibits Open - FREE
Maritime Science Education Center
Timed Entry- Click Here to Reserve
Come Sailing:
Day 1 kicks off with 8 chances to get on the water and experience the thrill of sailing a schooner on Gloucester Harbor.
Tickets available on these vessels:
ARDELLE
Charters available on
10:00am
to 3:00pm
On Land:
MARITIME GLOUCESTER
Museums and Exhibits Open - FREE
Maritime Science Education Center
Timed Entry - Click Here to Reserve
5:30pm-8pm
MARITIME GLOUCESTER
Welcome Party & Fundraiser for Maritime Gloucester and the International Dory Racing Committee
$40 Suggested Donation, cash bar, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and refreshments from Classic Cooks
On Deck:
12:00pm
to 5:00pm
Deck Tours - FREE
PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II at I4C2
ADVENTURE at Maritime Gloucester Pier (from 12 to 2pm)
FRIDAY
JUL07
2023
WELCOME
ABOARD!
Will you Rendezvous on Day 2? The Working Waterfront opens up to iconic schooners and maritime heritage
Come Sailing:
Day 2 continues the fun with 7 great chances to go sailing on one of these magnificent vessels
Tickets available on:
ARDELLE
THOMAS E. LANNON
and
Charters available on
GET UP AND GET OUT THERE...IT'S RACE DAY!
The 71st Annual International Dory Races kick of a day of heritage. With something fun for the whole family, this Saturday in July will be a memory for the ages.
SATURDAYJUL08
2023
On Land:
9:00am
to 3:00pm
Museums and Exhibits Open - FREE
MARITIME GLOUCESTER
Maritime Science Education Center
Timed Entry- Click Here to Reserve
Maritime Gloucester is making Rendezvous Saturday a day to remember with
Food Trucks - Kids Activities - Waterfront Demonstrations
all day long! Come check out the dory races and get a bite to eat, make a craft and visit our touchtanks in the Maritime Science Education Center.
10:00am
to 12:00pm
71st ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DORY RACE - LUNENBERG VS GLOUCESTER
9:30am - USCG Station Gloucester opens for public viewing (thank you to Station Gloucester for special access for this event) and Solomon Jacobs Park.
On Deck:
10:00am
to 3:00pm
Deck Tours
ADVENTURE at Maritime Gloucester Pier
10:30am -
Stories on deck with Gloucester 400+
Dockside Tours with the Crew:
COLUMBIA at I4C2
Come Sailing:
Day 3 has everything you want in a sail! Want to go for an hour? 2? Maybe longer? The day is yours. Our fleet has an opporutnity for you with 10 great chances to go for a sail!
Tickets available on:
ARDELLE
THOMAS E. LANNON
and
Charters available on
On Land:
10:00am
to 4:00pm
Museums and Exhibits Open - FREE
MARITIME GLOUCESTER
Maritime Science Education Center Timed Entry- Click Here to Reserve
On Deck:
2:00pm
to 4:00pm
SUNDAY
JUL09
2023
A FANTASTIC
FINISH!
The Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous goes out with a bang as sails cross the breakwater for a Schooner Gam.
Come Sailing:
THE FINAL DAY of our Rendezvous and we have a special treat...we are joined by Schooner When & If from Salem.
A whopping 12 sail on 7 vessels round out our four-day event!
If you haven't gotten out on the water yet, now is your chance. Don't miss the SCHOONER GAM at 10am, where the whole fleet is assembled and sailing in tandem out past the breakwater.
Don't forget to buy a ticket for the afternoon or evening sails too! A sunset sail on Gloucester Harbor is a must-do event.
Tickets available on:
ARDELLE
THOMAS E. LANNON
and
Charters available on
Dates: Thursday July 6th - Sunday July 9th
Contact Us At: Schooner@MaritimeGloucester.org