Photographic documentary of the project to repair the North Jetty at the mouth of the Merrimack River (Salisbury, Newburyport, Plum Island). Photo essay by Mary Gage with additional photos by James Gage.
On Monday August 5, 2019 I had the opportunity to photograph and video the departure of the U.S. Coast Guard tall ship Eagle from Portsmouth from onboard the historic Gundalow barge. The Gundalow put up its single sail but primarily ran on its engine. We headed up river to see the Eagle leave the wharf. Along the way we were treated to seeing the Memorial Drawbridge raise its center span to allow us passage. The group of kids onboard were all excited and waved to the bridge workers as we passed underneath.
We arrived near the wharf in time to see the tugboat pushing the Eagle gently towards the wharf so the mooring ropes could be castoff. The Eagle got underway while a small but appreciative group of spectators onboard the Gundalow and the Schooner Lynx watched. It was a different perspective to see the Eagle from the water rather than standing onshore.
The Gundalow unfurled its sail.
We passed the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
One of the giant cranes
Scaffolding around the tower of a submarine being serviced.
The exposed lower part of the pier indicated we were nearing low tide.
A lobster boat is part of Portsmouth & Kittery's working waterfront.
Memorial Drawbridge
Bridge worker monitoring our passage.
Schooner Lynx joined us.
Tugboat pushes the Eagle toward wharf to allow the mooring ropes to cast off.
We passed the old Naval Prison
The Gundalow's canon may be small but it makes a big bang.
I went down to the North Jetty to see the affects of the Nor'easter on surf. The wind was blow so strong I had a hard time holding the camera steady. Many of the photos are slightly out of focus because of that. The wind was blowing the spray of the waves backwards making from a spectacular scene.
The waves were rolling from left to right and covering the Jetty.
The wind was blowing the opposite direction of the waves causing spray to blow back.
The Eagle was open for public tours over the weekend of
August 3 & 4. We arrived shortly after it opened for tours on Sunday and
found a long line already formed. Event organizers had anticipated this. There
was a lady making swords from balloons to the delight all the children.
Historical reenactors chatted with the crowd. Live music was being played.
Walking along the wharf, one is initially struck by the sheer
length of this nearly 300 foot long ship. Then you look up at the tall masts
and momentarily try to image yourself climbing to the top of all that rigging.
If you have a fear of heights you will feel a bit squeamish.
The tour is limited to the deck of the ship but provides a
good feel for it and introduces one to the various major operations. Cadets
were stationed along the tour to answer questions about the Eagle and the Coast
Guard service. Two educational stations were setup. The first station explained
the principles of mechanical advantage provided by the block and tackle pulleys
used on board to raise the heavy sails. The second station focused on the many
layers of materials that cover the steel cables to protect them from the salt
water and prevent them from fraying sails and ropes. The most impressive thing
along the tour werethe triple wheels
used to steer the Eagle. Normally it is manned by six crew people but in rough
weather as many as 16 hands are needed.
Even standing back some distance it was impossible to
get the whole ship in the picture.
It was a bit dizzying just looking up to the top of
the masts.
One of the highlights of the summer is the Sail Portsmouth 2019 event.
Sponsored by Piscatagua Maritime Commission, this year's Parade of Sail took place
in the evening of Thursday August 1.Beginning at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor
at the K2R buoy, the parade traveled up the Piscatagua River passing the
Whaleback Lighthouse, Wood Island life saving station, Portsmouth Harbor
Lighthouse, Fort Constitution, the Navy Yard, under the Memorial Bridge and
arriving at the NH State Pier.
The parade was lead by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. The tall ship
Eagle was joined by the Schooner Roseway and Schooner Lynx. In addition was the
historic replica river barge Gundalow, a fireboat, one of the well known Portsmouth tugboats, various modern Coast Guard cutters also joined the parade. The general public
was also encouraged to participate in the parade with their boats and were well
represented.
A large crowd gathered at various points along the river to view the parade.
Fort Constitution
in New Castle
was one of the better viewing locations. Although one has to get their early to
secure one of the limited parking spaces. The accompanying video was filmed
primarily from this location. It afforded great views of Whaleback Lighthouse, Wood Island,
and the tall ships passing by the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse made for
dramatic photo and filming opportunities. From this vantage point the
background was not cluttered by buildings and other industrial infrastructure.
It made for an excellent backdrop.
The Barque Eagle is 295 feet long and has three masts that support over
22,000 square feet of sail allowing it to reach a top speed of 17 knots. (Its
diesel engine has a top speed of 10 knots in comparison.) It was built in 1936
for the German Navy but transferred to the United States at the end WWII as part of war reparations. It
has a permanent crew of 57 who are assisted during training programs by young
women and men entering U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School.(OCS). The
Eagle was open free for public tours over the weekend. Long lines for the tours
formed early in the day.Cadets from the
school who would be participating in a one week cruise were on board to answer
questions about the ship and Coast Guard. They proved knowledgeable and enthusiast
about the Coast Guard. We wish them all the success in their chosen career
path.
Ships gather at the mouth of the harbor for the parade
One of the famous Portsmouth tugboats heads out to join the parade
Parade begins ...
U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle
Flyover of a Coast Guard search & rescue plane
Fire boat passing Whaleback Lighthouse
Gundalow (left) and Schooner Lynx (right)
Schooner Roseway passing the Wood Island Life Saving Station
and the Portsmouth Harbor lighthouse & Fort Constitution
The granite stonework is the post-Civil War era part of Fort Constitution
The brickwork and field stones represent the earlier pre-Civil War era part of the fort
This was once the "state-of-art" in rescue boat design, now it is a historic artifact
displayed at the Coast Guard Station
I left Fort Constitution and followed the parade of sail into Portsmouth. I got this photo of the Eagle and the old Naval Prison from my car while sitting in a traffic jam. By this point the Eagle had put up a few sails.
The Piscatauq River narrows at this point and its amazing how they maneuvered such a large ship through it.
