Gloucester Massachusetts

Gloucester Massachusetts is located 30 miles northeast of Boston. The majority of Gloucester is an island, connected only by two bridges. Gloucester is located on "Cape Ann", an area that includes the towns of Rockport, Manchester and Essex.

Upon arrival in the town, it is quite evident that this is and always has been a fishing village. In fact, Gloucester may be the best example of a fishing town in the United States.

The residents of Gloucester are proud of their heritage and welcome visitors' questions, cameras and explorations. A first stop for tour buses and other visitors is often at the Gloucester Fishermen's memorials.

Two monuments exist, both along the water. The most famous is the statue of "the man at the wheel", a memorial to the thousands of Gloucester mariners that have been lost at sea from the 1600's thru present. Just down the street is the memorial for the women and children that suffered as a result of tragedies at sea.

Families will have more activities to enjoy than their time allows. From the time the sun rises until bed time, there is always something to see in Gloucester. There are museums, exhibits, whale watching, boat tours, fishing charters, tall ships, sailing charters and more.

Most visitors will want to satisfy their curiosity about the fishing and lobster boats by visiting some of the local piers. The town offers well marked walking paths, brochures and other aides to find the commercial fishing fleet, take pictures, talk to the craftsmen and sample local seafood.

Gloucester has an excellent selection of fresh seafood. Visitors will want to try lobster, cod, haddock, swordfish and other seafood dishes.

psalm 107, v. 23 - 30

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven

In 1997, almost six years after the Great Halloween Nor'easter, journalist Sebastian Junger published The Perfect Storm, an account of some of the most dramatic and memorable events associated with the late-October 1991 weather system. The book explored meteorology, the fishing industry, Coast Guard rescue operations, and how people all along the east coast were affected by the storm. The book became a #1 best-seller.

Soon after, the movie entitled The Perfect Storm followed. The action-adventure movice starred George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, John C. Reilly and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. The thriller was written by Bill Wittliff and directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

The movie portrays the commercial fishing town of Gloucester, Mass., the centuries-old fishing port where the Andrea Gail, a 72-foot swordfishing boat, is ready to embark on a monthlong expedition to the Grand Banks.

Captain Billy Tyne (George Clooney) had a disappointing haul on his last trip and decides to go out again, two days later, even though the October sea is known for its danger.

Life in Gloucester revolves around the men of the Andrea Gail and the swordfishing industry. Among its residents are anxious wives and kids, a greedy boat owner, a rival boat captain (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and a mother who runs the now famous bar named the Crow's Nest.