Just a Great Fishing Town
Gloucester, Home of a Perfect Storm
For the woefully uninformed, the “The Perfect Storm” was a 2000 movie based on a true fishing disaster that occurred in 1991. The “Andrea Gail” and it’s six crewmen went down in the perfect storm. Other than having George Clooney in it, I really liked the movie. I get a bit nervous in the ocean…I also get sea sick…and I have an unnatural fear of drowning. So, “The Perfect Storm” was the ultimate horror story for me. Anyway, what also stuck with me was the fishing village where they started. It was Gloucester, Massachusetts. I have been to Massachusetts many times, but never to Gloucester. So, on my last in-law trip, I made my way to Cape Ann in the far northeastern corner of Massachusetts. There I found Gloucester. I found it to be just a great fishing town.
There was plenty to like about Gloucester. It is claims to be “America’s Oldest Seaport.” Consequently, the old coastal, New England architecture was apparent everywhere. As is too common, the tourist invasion tended to lessen the charm a bit. But, as I was there in off season, it still seemed more of a quaint fishing village than tourist stop. The rocky coast affords a great view of the sea. The walk around the commercial fishing area was particularly interesting. But, of all my options, my favorite was the Gorton’s Fisherman.
Gorton’s Fisherman: Memorial or Logo?
Along the town’s coast, there is the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial. It’s not technically the Gorton Fisherman from the fish sticks box. But, Gorton’s had this fisherman’s logo around 1900. The memorial was built 25 years later and bears a striking resemblance to the logo. I am pretty sure they are connected.
But, let’s get back to the important part. If you stand behind the Fisherman’s Memorial, you will see metal plates on the sea side wall bearing many names. These plates lists all 5,368 fishermen that were lost at sea in Gloucester’s history since 1623. In the close up of the plate below, you can see the year 1991. Those six fisherman were on the Andrea Gail, and thus the victims of The Perfect Storm.
What about the widows?
In our occasionally misogynistic society, women too often do not get the credit they deserve. Sure, we do not fail to memorialize the 5,368 fishermen lost at sea. But, what about their wives? What about their children? These women and children also risk having their lives destroyed if their husband never returns. Yeah, that’s sucks. Well, about a century too late, in 2001, the anxious wives and children of the fishermen were remembered.
This is the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial. Holding her baby, a young wife stands with her son staring out to sea. She is hoping against hope that her husband did not join the ranks of the 5,368 Gloucester fisherman forever lost at sea. Powerful Stuff! Gloucester’s two coastal memorials are among the best tributes that I have ever had the privilege of visiting.
So, what about lunch?
After a morning wandering about Gloucester, it was time for lunch. Gloucester is loaded with very nice restaurants serving the expected New England cuisine. But, I wanted something better. I had a vision of an isolated lobster shack sitting on the lonely coast. The Lobster Pool is just that vision. The shack is about 15 minutes north of Gloucester on the northern most point of Cape Ann…directly on the coast.
The restaurant describes itself as “a homey BYOB seafood shack on the bay.” That about covers it. I arrived as they were opening, so I had the place to myself. The tables sat directly on the rocky coast with a beautiful, unobstructed view of the bay. The weather was absolutely perfect. The interior of the Lobster Pool was the simple, rustic, seaside charm that I wanted. You could pick your lobster, name him, boil him, and then eat him. I think it was “The Perfect Lunch.“
Actually, I can think of one way to improve upon The Perfect Lunch. I was not aware that it was BYOB. Had I known that, I could have brought my own adult beverage. Nothing quite pairs better with fresh lobster than a fine, cold Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Wrap it up
So, that’s Gloucester, Massachusetts…just a great fishing town. Beyond that, Cape Ann has endless coastal scenery, maze-like roads, and some major, high end real estate. Gloucester, and the entire Cape Ann area, are well worth a day trip. Furthermore, whatever else you do, be sure to find a way to enjoy a lobster with a view at the Lobster Pool. Without a doubt, I give my highest possible restaurant recommendation to this homey BYOB seafood shack on the bay. Have a wonderful day. PT
I hope you have enjoyed “Just a Great Fishing Town” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.
Here is the only other restaurant to get my highest possible restaurant rating… https://travelingwithpt.com/pugsleytonks-is-all-about-romance/
Learn some more about America’s oldest seaport… https://discovergloucester.com/
