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The Diving Locker Cat..
- Thread starter Ron J
- Start date
Kelley (Texas)
New member
n/t
Ron J
Active member
A Few years back, while dining in a small restaurant, I had been viewing multiple framed photographs, mounted on the walls, which were all For Sale. One caught my eye, which I purchased. The photo was of a Cat, sitting in front of a door, marked Dive Shop. The Cat was posing in the snow, at Christmas time. Stated in the lower left corner "Dockyard Cat - Gloucester Mass.". Living 30 minutes from America's oldest fishing Port, I have been there many times, know the area well, but never heard or visited this Shop. Never recalled a Dive Locker? Been to the Docks, many times, viewing the waterfront and fishing fleets. Thirty minutes by car, about an hours cruise by Sea, depending what type of vessel your in!
Months later, I happened to drive along the Harbor Loop, and stopped at the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, alongside the Gloucester Coast Guard Station. Been there a few times, but never walked down the sloping driveway, just viewed the old docks, from my Suburban. On premises, is a working Boat Shop, building mostly smaller Dory's by hand. There is also an extremely old Marine Railway, which is still active. At the time, the boatyard had been converting an old Fishing Dragger into a replica of the "Beaver". The original "Beaver" was the famous vessel, in Colonial times, that became famous for what We all know as "The Boston Tea Party", when Locals got fed up with the British for too many Taxes, dressed like American Indians, boarded the "Beaver" docked in Boston, and tossed all the British Tea overboard in protest. Can you imagine the British, having the nerve to over tax the Colonists!!
Hmmm, sounds familiar??,,but there are No British running our Gov't now.. or is there?? But that's another story...that should be on the Views Forum!
Back to my story.... While snooping around the Heritage Center, near the Railways, I turned, and there on the rear of the lower level, of the Museum, is the Diving Locker! Wow, I found the location by accident. Of course I went in and met Paul Harling. This was around five years ago, and I return to visit yearly. Paul by the way, is the Curator, Only Volunteer, Story Teller, and Owner of the contents of the Diving Locker, and Caretaker of The Cat. This unique Museum is small, but cramped into every space, is almost every possible item of Diving equipment imaginable. Paul knows every piece, how it works, rough age, and a story behind every piece!
The Diving Locker is also the self acclaimed "home" of the Manx Cat. No one "owns" the Manx. All the Locals know of him, where he resides,and eats. This Cat travels the local area, and may take up residency elsewhere at his own leisure. The larger Heritage Museum tried to "claim" Ownership as did the Local Bank, for a time, that is until The Cat, forgot his manners in etiquette or fell Ill. Then the Diving Locker is suddenly proclaimed the true "Owner", is contacted to retrieve The Cat.
The Manx is a very friendly cat, purrs to his hearts content, and is about 14 years old. Paul on the other hand, is in his late Seventies, a retired School Teacher of 30 plus years, and a retired Diver.
If ever visiting Gloucester Massachusetts, the Diving Locker is a MUST Stop to visit!
Rj
Months later, I happened to drive along the Harbor Loop, and stopped at the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, alongside the Gloucester Coast Guard Station. Been there a few times, but never walked down the sloping driveway, just viewed the old docks, from my Suburban. On premises, is a working Boat Shop, building mostly smaller Dory's by hand. There is also an extremely old Marine Railway, which is still active. At the time, the boatyard had been converting an old Fishing Dragger into a replica of the "Beaver". The original "Beaver" was the famous vessel, in Colonial times, that became famous for what We all know as "The Boston Tea Party", when Locals got fed up with the British for too many Taxes, dressed like American Indians, boarded the "Beaver" docked in Boston, and tossed all the British Tea overboard in protest. Can you imagine the British, having the nerve to over tax the Colonists!!
Hmmm, sounds familiar??,,but there are No British running our Gov't now.. or is there?? But that's another story...that should be on the Views Forum!Back to my story.... While snooping around the Heritage Center, near the Railways, I turned, and there on the rear of the lower level, of the Museum, is the Diving Locker! Wow, I found the location by accident. Of course I went in and met Paul Harling. This was around five years ago, and I return to visit yearly. Paul by the way, is the Curator, Only Volunteer, Story Teller, and Owner of the contents of the Diving Locker, and Caretaker of The Cat. This unique Museum is small, but cramped into every space, is almost every possible item of Diving equipment imaginable. Paul knows every piece, how it works, rough age, and a story behind every piece!
The Diving Locker is also the self acclaimed "home" of the Manx Cat. No one "owns" the Manx. All the Locals know of him, where he resides,and eats. This Cat travels the local area, and may take up residency elsewhere at his own leisure. The larger Heritage Museum tried to "claim" Ownership as did the Local Bank, for a time, that is until The Cat, forgot his manners in etiquette or fell Ill. Then the Diving Locker is suddenly proclaimed the true "Owner", is contacted to retrieve The Cat.
The Manx is a very friendly cat, purrs to his hearts content, and is about 14 years old. Paul on the other hand, is in his late Seventies, a retired School Teacher of 30 plus years, and a retired Diver.
If ever visiting Gloucester Massachusetts, the Diving Locker is a MUST Stop to visit!
Rj
Kelley (Texas)
New member
n/t