Ron J
Active member
Went snooping around another historic,but very active fishing town,located on Cape Ann, Gloucester Mass. Its located only 25 miles northeast of Beverly,and the tail end of Rte.128. Any further than this,you better be able to float.
Visited the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, located next to U.S.Coast Guard Station Gloucester. It really doesn't look exciting,but if you like boats,or boat building or repair,this is it.Hands on ship repair. The first place you will visit on our little "snooping" is the "Dive Shop Museum". It isn't big,being in two rooms,or looking from the outside,but let me tell you,if you are a diver or not,like ocean related history,this little place is a GEM! The older fella in the door,is the owner,historian,dive expert,extrodinaire!! His name is Paul,and very likable right off the bat![attachment 50542 GloucesterMass063.jpg]My diving experience was limited to one Summer,35 yrs ago,but i can relate,especially viewing the equipment,and interest of the Sea,the area,and sunken vessels.Paul has about every type of Diving helmets,regulators,drysuits,wetsuits etc,and knows how to use them,and keeps them in working condition,as if he were to use them tomorrow.He started diving in 1953 or so. He has artifacts from the USS New Hampshire,(similar to the Constitution) He show me some spikes of various sizes,taken from her.They are Copper,and manufactured by PAUL REVERE! They also are stamped US in each one.Paul also had forks,part of a flintlock? and other goodies. Needless to say i was in awe,viewing and holding his little treasures.By the way,that silver helmet,was made from a water boiler tank,and YES it worked. The copper one on the left,he informed me,was too light,the curved glass gave blurry vision,and without enough weight it wanted to pop of your head.[attachment 50543 GloucesterMass069.jpg][attachment 50544 GloucesterMass070.jpg][attachment 50545 GloucesterMass075.jpg][attachment 50546 GloucesterMass071.jpg][attachment 50547 GloucesterMass076.jpg]
Visited the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, located next to U.S.Coast Guard Station Gloucester. It really doesn't look exciting,but if you like boats,or boat building or repair,this is it.Hands on ship repair. The first place you will visit on our little "snooping" is the "Dive Shop Museum". It isn't big,being in two rooms,or looking from the outside,but let me tell you,if you are a diver or not,like ocean related history,this little place is a GEM! The older fella in the door,is the owner,historian,dive expert,extrodinaire!! His name is Paul,and very likable right off the bat![attachment 50542 GloucesterMass063.jpg]My diving experience was limited to one Summer,35 yrs ago,but i can relate,especially viewing the equipment,and interest of the Sea,the area,and sunken vessels.Paul has about every type of Diving helmets,regulators,drysuits,wetsuits etc,and knows how to use them,and keeps them in working condition,as if he were to use them tomorrow.He started diving in 1953 or so. He has artifacts from the USS New Hampshire,(similar to the Constitution) He show me some spikes of various sizes,taken from her.They are Copper,and manufactured by PAUL REVERE! They also are stamped US in each one.Paul also had forks,part of a flintlock? and other goodies. Needless to say i was in awe,viewing and holding his little treasures.By the way,that silver helmet,was made from a water boiler tank,and YES it worked. The copper one on the left,he informed me,was too light,the curved glass gave blurry vision,and without enough weight it wanted to pop of your head.[attachment 50543 GloucesterMass069.jpg][attachment 50544 GloucesterMass070.jpg][attachment 50545 GloucesterMass075.jpg][attachment 50546 GloucesterMass071.jpg][attachment 50547 GloucesterMass076.jpg]