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Stories by Ron J .......
- Thread starter Ron J
- Start date
Ron J
Active member
I have written a little before, about the Can Do, but wish to revisit that subject again. The Can Do had been a Pilot Boat on the North Shore, For many years when i was younger. The North Shore comprises a large area, 30 miles north of Boston. It includes waters of the Atlantic touching the shores of Revere, known for Revere Beach, Nahant, known well for two WWII fortifications, and Submarine Watch Towers, Marblehead, where most older residents are real Yankee Sailors, Salem, well know for Halloween and Witches, but really one of the oldest Seaports, with the first Customs House in the USA. , Beverly, Home of Washingtons Navy Base, and of Beverly Farms, where the very rich, built "Summer" mansions at the turn of the 20th Century. Then we have Manchester-by-the-Sea, some old Yankees, but Yuppies with fancy Sailboats, Magnolia, also many mansions on the rocky edge of the Sea, and then Gloucester, America's oldest fishing port. Rockport, yuppies know, but well known for its rockie quarries, left over from its hayday of shipping granite blocks all over the USA. If you were viewing a map, you follow the coast line to Essex, Famous Fried Clams, Lobster, Steamers,um,umm. Ipswich, Rowley,Newbury,Newburyport, another old Seaport. Then you enter New Hampshire.
The Can Do was home ported in Gloucester, although its owner,and Captain resided in Peabody. Peabody is tied to the Danvers River, but no navigable waters. Due to the Blizzard of 1978, when this area was buried in the worst 100 year snow storm you can imagine, Captain Quirk, crew, and vessel were lost! I will not get into details, but i would strongly recommend you read the book, by Michael J. Tougias, titled "Ten Hours Until Dawn".
I read the book, which was fascinating, for many reasons. First i knew alot of the basic story, second, I grew up in the waters and towns the incidents took place in, third, the Tanker in the book was within sight of the street i lived on at the time, and lastly, the Can Do had been a familiar sight in the local harbors. Everyone familiar with boating,or fishing knew the Can Do.
The Grampus, which the vessel has been know as, for the last 30 years, was raised by Burnham Marine,and still owned by the company. The name Grampus was the original name of the vessel, iron hull, 47ft in length, with only about an 8 ft beam. The pilot house is not the original, which was destroyed during the Blizzard. The Grampus is moored between the Kernwood Bridge,at the mouth of the Danvers River, the Salem/Beverly Bridge, where the North River joins into the Bass River in Beverly,and they all meet. The Mooring is within view of Mr. Burnhams residence, which sits back a few hundred yards, on an old farm,alongside the rivers edge.
For the last 3 or more years, I have only know the Grampus to be moved once, and that was about a mile down the North River, where Burnham Marine has its marine equipment stored. Now for the last month or so, people have noticed the Grampus is missing. Its large white iron mooring ball, sits idle, mooring line,loose,occasionally becoming a nesting area for our ever-hungry Seagulls. I had noticed this myself, figuring maybe the vessel had been sold or tied along the construction pier,for some paint work? After all, the hull was looking pretty bad for the last couple years, with rust blisters, and only visiting seagulls on the pilothouse roof.
I had taken my pontoon boat down the North River, purposely to see if that was the case. It wasn't there. I happened to then cruise down the Bass River, by my old house on Riverview St., where i grew up. While cruising by Hills Yacht Yard, I noticed the pilothouse of the Grampus, sticking up through the masts of drydocked boats. Well imagine that, there she was, high and dry on boat stands! I snapped a few photos, figuring this is a rare sight indeed! Next thought was to drive down for better photos on land, once I returned to my own dock.
Over the last few weeks, I have been keeping tabs of the progress on the stripping/patching/painting of the Grampus. I never seen anybody working on the vessel. Of course it is usually before or after work, or weekends, i get to view her. I hope to catch the Grampus on the straps, when they lower the hull into the Bass River.
I have also mentioned in a previous story, calling it the Ghost Ship. Partly because of the superstitious fishermen of New England. The web site for Burnham Marine states " in-spite of what some have said, She is not Haunted". Sorry, I need to disagree.... Alas, she is still a proud vessel, but I still feel sadness knowing her history, and her loneliness tied to that mooring ball.
Is the Grampus haunted...?? I suggest you read the book...then decide..... Rj [attachment 142153 bikesfog029.jpg][attachment 142154 bikesfog030.jpg][attachment 142155 bikesfog034.jpg][attachment 142156 bikesfog058.jpg][attachment 142157 bikesfog032.jpg][attachment 142158 bikesfog039.jpg]
The Can Do was home ported in Gloucester, although its owner,and Captain resided in Peabody. Peabody is tied to the Danvers River, but no navigable waters. Due to the Blizzard of 1978, when this area was buried in the worst 100 year snow storm you can imagine, Captain Quirk, crew, and vessel were lost! I will not get into details, but i would strongly recommend you read the book, by Michael J. Tougias, titled "Ten Hours Until Dawn".
I read the book, which was fascinating, for many reasons. First i knew alot of the basic story, second, I grew up in the waters and towns the incidents took place in, third, the Tanker in the book was within sight of the street i lived on at the time, and lastly, the Can Do had been a familiar sight in the local harbors. Everyone familiar with boating,or fishing knew the Can Do.
The Grampus, which the vessel has been know as, for the last 30 years, was raised by Burnham Marine,and still owned by the company. The name Grampus was the original name of the vessel, iron hull, 47ft in length, with only about an 8 ft beam. The pilot house is not the original, which was destroyed during the Blizzard. The Grampus is moored between the Kernwood Bridge,at the mouth of the Danvers River, the Salem/Beverly Bridge, where the North River joins into the Bass River in Beverly,and they all meet. The Mooring is within view of Mr. Burnhams residence, which sits back a few hundred yards, on an old farm,alongside the rivers edge.
For the last 3 or more years, I have only know the Grampus to be moved once, and that was about a mile down the North River, where Burnham Marine has its marine equipment stored. Now for the last month or so, people have noticed the Grampus is missing. Its large white iron mooring ball, sits idle, mooring line,loose,occasionally becoming a nesting area for our ever-hungry Seagulls. I had noticed this myself, figuring maybe the vessel had been sold or tied along the construction pier,for some paint work? After all, the hull was looking pretty bad for the last couple years, with rust blisters, and only visiting seagulls on the pilothouse roof.
I had taken my pontoon boat down the North River, purposely to see if that was the case. It wasn't there. I happened to then cruise down the Bass River, by my old house on Riverview St., where i grew up. While cruising by Hills Yacht Yard, I noticed the pilothouse of the Grampus, sticking up through the masts of drydocked boats. Well imagine that, there she was, high and dry on boat stands! I snapped a few photos, figuring this is a rare sight indeed! Next thought was to drive down for better photos on land, once I returned to my own dock.
Over the last few weeks, I have been keeping tabs of the progress on the stripping/patching/painting of the Grampus. I never seen anybody working on the vessel. Of course it is usually before or after work, or weekends, i get to view her. I hope to catch the Grampus on the straps, when they lower the hull into the Bass River.
I have also mentioned in a previous story, calling it the Ghost Ship. Partly because of the superstitious fishermen of New England. The web site for Burnham Marine states " in-spite of what some have said, She is not Haunted". Sorry, I need to disagree.... Alas, she is still a proud vessel, but I still feel sadness knowing her history, and her loneliness tied to that mooring ball.
Is the Grampus haunted...?? I suggest you read the book...then decide..... Rj [attachment 142153 bikesfog029.jpg][attachment 142154 bikesfog030.jpg][attachment 142155 bikesfog034.jpg][attachment 142156 bikesfog058.jpg][attachment 142157 bikesfog032.jpg][attachment 142158 bikesfog039.jpg]
Ron J
Active member
Here is the Bow Shots... before/after..[attachment 142159 DSC09278.jpg][attachment 142160 101_1971.jpg] The Rudder and Prop......[attachment 142161 DSC09285.jpg][attachment 142162 101_1979.jpg] The Stern, notice the narrow beam....[attachment 142163 DSC09283.jpg][attachment 142164 101_1978.jpg] Rj
They got the right man for the LSA history. The fog in the pictures really ads to the story with the boat coming out of the mist. Great that someone is cleaning it up and repainting it. I wonder whats behind that? I think you found your calling now. Maritime Historian.
Your good at.
Thanks for post.
George-CT
Your good at.
Thanks for post.
George-CT
Kelley (Texas)
New member
What is wrong with having an 8 ft beam? Would that cause the ship to flip over easier? Also, how and what do they use to prep the metal after they remove the rust? I was once told that after you strip the rust from the metal that you had to immediately treat the bare metal because it will quickly start rusting again. Thanks for posting part one, I enjoyed it. Kelley (Texas) 
Kelley (Texas)
New member
n/t
Ron J
Active member
Attended the 11th Lightship Sailors Reunion in Concord Cal. Visited Point Reyes, visited the Lightshouse with a personal guide from the National Park Service! Also visited the Alameda Coast Guard Station, along with having a Memorial Service on Lightship WLV 605 in Oakland. Just need time to write a few stories. Left the hotel in Concord California for Massachusetts at 4:00 a.m. arrived in Beantown at 5:00 p.m.! Here is just a few pictures...[attachment 143453 DSC09883.jpg][attachment 143454 DSC09918.jpg][attachment 143455 DSC00073Large.jpg][attachment 143456 DSC00119.jpg][attachment 143458 DSC09749.jpg][attachment 143459 DSC09843.jpg]
Kelley (Texas)
New member
Those are some awsome pictures, especially the lighthouse on the cliff photo! I will be looking forward to your stories. Kelley (Texas)
Wayne in BC
New member
Wayne in BC
New member
n/t
Ron J
Active member
This last year has been extremely time consuming, but I managed to "escape" a few Saturdays, to Cape Cod, visiting Provincetown in particular. Some have read this before, My Father was born there in 1906. Spent most of his early years in the Coast Guard, mostly stationed at different Life Saving Stations or later as the name changed at Life Boat Stations. I have two Uncles and a few cousins still residing in Provincetown, so I make it a point to visit them, seeing they are both up there in age. I had planned a day trip December 12th. So at 4:30 a.m. I loaded up my three grandsons into the Suburban and headed thru Beantown, the South Shore, over the Cape Cod Canal, and a little over an hour later,once over the canal landed in Provincetown. (21/2 trip minimum with NO traffic.) As usual, I headed to Race Point to visit the dunes, and beach, at the old Race Point Coast Guard Station, now used by the National Seashore Rangers. It was extremely windy and cold at a little past seven a.m. but kids are kids, they wanted to walk down to the beach anyway!
It was a short walk, the wind was brutal, blowing right towards us, but it was long enough to pick up a little treasure...a washed up Lobster Pot Buoy. From there we drove into town, and found one of the few Coffee shops open. I need to mention Ptown is close to a ghost town in Winter! While sitting there sipping nice hot coffee, and the kids having a bacon/egg bagel sandwich, one of my cousins popped in to my surprise. We had a short conversation, being happy to run into each other. Getting close to 8 now, we drove a couple of blocks to my Uncle Clarence's business, Provincetown Welding. He resides across the street from his shop, a mere 30 second walk. As usual, he was sitting in his corner chair in the front of the Livingroom, where the Sun shines into shortly after Sunrise, catching the rays. My Uncle saw the 4 of us, and waved "come on in!"
Being Winter, his son Mike, who is constantly with him, is in Florida for most of the Winter. My cousin Kathy lives in town, may visit daily to check on her Dad, but isn't the same as when Mike is around. My Aunt Tillie passed away a few years ago, at age 90, so my Uncle lives alone. Visiting this time, made me think a little, he seemed lonely. I really never noticed, but that was because Mike was around. Uncle Clarence shines when Mike is around! He seemed happy to have three little boys playing in his living room, reminded him of when me and my brother Paul, were little when we visited as youngsters i guess. We were well behaved, as these three are, at least i think so!
We were having a pretty good conversation, and the 3 boys were enjoying the metal objects that my Uncle has around the livingroom, which each one is a work of art, he made and designed with his own hands, across the street in his shop...many years ago.. I need to mention, my uncle, unlike most people, thinks before speaking...each word or sentence thought out before you hear what he has to say...methodically.
I was surprised at what he shared with me, and it was special, really special i thought to share a moment that happened to him, this past Summer...
He started by saying...Ron, I was sitting on my back deck in the afternoon, with the Sun shining, and i was enjoying the warm breeze, when i happened to look down, and saw a large Bumble Bee, laying still on the deck. I looked at him,laying very still, and I knew he was exhausted. I watched for awhile, and the Bee didn't move, so I got a couple of small cards, and scooped him up, brought the bee into the kitchen. I layed him on the table, and then got a small cap, mixed a little bit of sugar with water, and put the Bee next to it. Believe it or not, the Bee appeared to be consuming the mixture. After a few minutes, he started to move, so I took him out, and layed him on the deck again. Within a few minutes, the Bee suddenly took off, and disappeared! Uncle Clarence continued....I sat on that deck for the next few days, enjoying the Sun. For three days in a row, a Bumble Bee would zoom in, at a high rate of speed, like he was going to fly into my face, when each time, the Bee would stop short maybe a foot from my face, and stare at me without moving in midair, and as quick as he came, he would take off at a right angle and disappear! I know it had to be the same Bee, and I think it may of been your Aunt Tillie keeping an eye on me!" "What do you think Ron?"
You know my reply?? "Uncle Clarence, I think you are right!"
Knowing my Uncle, and the way he thinks, there is no doubt in my mind he had to be right...who knows...... I thought this was one of the most precious moments we ever had together...and it is the first time, he ever let me know, without saying it, how much he really really misses my Aunt Tillie....By the way, Uncle Clarence is going on 94, and still going strong!
I hated to leave him that day, he really appreciated our company, and here I am, always worried about interrupting something, coming in unannounced... but i had to go, I still needed to visit my "younger" Uncle, Uncle Anthony, who is only 85! Enjoy! RJ
It was a short walk, the wind was brutal, blowing right towards us, but it was long enough to pick up a little treasure...a washed up Lobster Pot Buoy. From there we drove into town, and found one of the few Coffee shops open. I need to mention Ptown is close to a ghost town in Winter! While sitting there sipping nice hot coffee, and the kids having a bacon/egg bagel sandwich, one of my cousins popped in to my surprise. We had a short conversation, being happy to run into each other. Getting close to 8 now, we drove a couple of blocks to my Uncle Clarence's business, Provincetown Welding. He resides across the street from his shop, a mere 30 second walk. As usual, he was sitting in his corner chair in the front of the Livingroom, where the Sun shines into shortly after Sunrise, catching the rays. My Uncle saw the 4 of us, and waved "come on in!"
Being Winter, his son Mike, who is constantly with him, is in Florida for most of the Winter. My cousin Kathy lives in town, may visit daily to check on her Dad, but isn't the same as when Mike is around. My Aunt Tillie passed away a few years ago, at age 90, so my Uncle lives alone. Visiting this time, made me think a little, he seemed lonely. I really never noticed, but that was because Mike was around. Uncle Clarence shines when Mike is around! He seemed happy to have three little boys playing in his living room, reminded him of when me and my brother Paul, were little when we visited as youngsters i guess. We were well behaved, as these three are, at least i think so!
We were having a pretty good conversation, and the 3 boys were enjoying the metal objects that my Uncle has around the livingroom, which each one is a work of art, he made and designed with his own hands, across the street in his shop...many years ago.. I need to mention, my uncle, unlike most people, thinks before speaking...each word or sentence thought out before you hear what he has to say...methodically.
I was surprised at what he shared with me, and it was special, really special i thought to share a moment that happened to him, this past Summer...
He started by saying...Ron, I was sitting on my back deck in the afternoon, with the Sun shining, and i was enjoying the warm breeze, when i happened to look down, and saw a large Bumble Bee, laying still on the deck. I looked at him,laying very still, and I knew he was exhausted. I watched for awhile, and the Bee didn't move, so I got a couple of small cards, and scooped him up, brought the bee into the kitchen. I layed him on the table, and then got a small cap, mixed a little bit of sugar with water, and put the Bee next to it. Believe it or not, the Bee appeared to be consuming the mixture. After a few minutes, he started to move, so I took him out, and layed him on the deck again. Within a few minutes, the Bee suddenly took off, and disappeared! Uncle Clarence continued....I sat on that deck for the next few days, enjoying the Sun. For three days in a row, a Bumble Bee would zoom in, at a high rate of speed, like he was going to fly into my face, when each time, the Bee would stop short maybe a foot from my face, and stare at me without moving in midair, and as quick as he came, he would take off at a right angle and disappear! I know it had to be the same Bee, and I think it may of been your Aunt Tillie keeping an eye on me!" "What do you think Ron?"
You know my reply?? "Uncle Clarence, I think you are right!"
Knowing my Uncle, and the way he thinks, there is no doubt in my mind he had to be right...who knows...... I thought this was one of the most precious moments we ever had together...and it is the first time, he ever let me know, without saying it, how much he really really misses my Aunt Tillie....By the way, Uncle Clarence is going on 94, and still going strong!
I hated to leave him that day, he really appreciated our company, and here I am, always worried about interrupting something, coming in unannounced... but i had to go, I still needed to visit my "younger" Uncle, Uncle Anthony, who is only 85!
Enjoy! RJreminds me of a baby squirrel, was detecting under a huge old oak tree, when I noticed a baby squirrel on the grass not moving, I taped it gently with the wot coil of my Minelab, it was alive but would not move?
I picked the little black furry critter up, it moved around but was very weak for some reason, well yep stopped my detecting and brought it home.
The time was now around 8pm, I left some food for it and left it in the warm greenhouse, looked in morning but was dead as a door nail, I have often picked up wild animals and brought home, but I don't recall even one surviving more then a few days, that bumble bee is very inspiring, thanks so much for sharing...
I picked the little black furry critter up, it moved around but was very weak for some reason, well yep stopped my detecting and brought it home.
The time was now around 8pm, I left some food for it and left it in the warm greenhouse, looked in morning but was dead as a door nail, I have often picked up wild animals and brought home, but I don't recall even one surviving more then a few days, that bumble bee is very inspiring, thanks so much for sharing...
Wayne in BC
New member
sure enjoyed reading your story as it stirs memories of times like that in my own life.
Thank you Ron!
Thank you Ron!