This year’s Sail Boston, July 11-16, will feature a strong contingent of Cape Ann sailing vessels, including the 100-year-old schooner Adventure, a National Historic Landmark and Gloucester’s flagship.
This year’s 250th anniversary of the nation has attracted more than 50 tall ships from some 20 nations that will be in historic Boston for Sail Boston 2026 in the Seaport district.
Eleventh-generation shipwright Harold Burnham, an Essex resident and a National Heritage Fellow, built five of the vessels appearing at the event, starting with the 93-foot Thomas E. Lannon. The schooner was built in 1997 in Essex, and is named for owner Tom Ellis’ maternal grandfather, who fished out of Gloucester from 1901–1943. This is the Lannon’s third Sail Boston event.
In 1998, Burnham was commissioned by the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum to build a Chebacco boat, the 35-foot Lewis H. Story, to serve as the museum’s flagship.
Burnham built the 51-foot schooner Isabella in 2006, basing the vessel’s design on schooners he had seen in Fitz Henry Lane paintings. In 2011, he built the 72-foot pinky schooner Ardelle.
In 2003, he built the 72-foot Fame. The vessel is a full-scale replica of the first American privateer to set out during the War of 1812, seizing more than 20 prizes before her wreck in 1814.
Burnham has been attending tall ship events in Boston since the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976, but this one is extra special with his fleet of vessels as part of Sail Boston 2026.
“This will be a lot of fun,” he said. “I look forward to seeing the other boats and meeting other captains and crews. I enjoy seeing the boats I built, but not everyone who worked on them are still here and I will think of the time spent with them while working on the boats.”
Burnham will be eager to see the 156-foot schooner Ernestina-Morrissey, built in Essex and launched in 1894 as the schooner Effie M. Morrissey.
“I spent 11 years of my life working on her,” he said of its restoration.
All these vessels have opportunities for the public to take part in Sail Boston, whether on a deck tour, sailing or other programs. Visit the individual websites for availability or the Sail Boston website, sailboston.com.
Schooner Adventure
At the helm of the 122-foot schooner Adventure is Capt. Christa Miller-Shelley. She, first mate Natalie Warren, the crew, as well as volunteers and supporters of the non-profit that oversees the vessel, built in 1926, are sailing the vessel to Sail Boston on Friday.
“There’s something especially meaningful about the Adventure representing Cape Ann on a national stage during America’s 250th anniversary and then returning home to the harbor where her story continues to unfold every season,” noted Emily Pearce, executive director of Schooner Adventure.
The vessel began its history as a fishing schooner and today serves as a floating classroom and community sail vessel welcoming thousands aboard each year.
“The schooner is operated at sea along the New England coast, as a living monument to Massachusetts’ fishing heritage. As such, schooner Adventure is important not only to Gloucester, but also to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all America,” according to its website.
Visitors can experience Adventure during Sail Boston 2026, when its offerings include a series of evening programs celebrating music, history and community. During the event, the schooner will be docked at the Moakley Courthouse docks at Fan Pier, 2 Northern Ave., as will the Ardelle, Isabella, Lewis H. Story, and the Lannon.
“Meet our crew and volunteers, learn about Gloucester’s fishing heritage, and discover the story of Adventure as we celebrate our Centennial Year. Whether you’re sailing with us or simply exploring Sail Boston, we invite you to stop by and experience this historic vessel up close,” according to its program note among participating vessels.
Among the events on Adventure will be a shanty sing-along 7-9 p.m. Sunday, July 12, with maritime musician Larry Sands. On the evening of July 14, the program features “Glover’s Regiment: Revolutionary War Living History Performance” aboard the schooner with period music, storytelling and live musket demonstrations.
Adventure’s full schedule may be found at https://www.schooneradventure.org/specialevents.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.