USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Gloucester > The book of the three hundredth anniversary observance of the foundation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Cape Ann in 1623 and the fiftieth year of the incorporation of Gloucester as a city > Part 12
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NATIONAL SALUTE FROM NAVAL SHIPS
At eight in the morning the guns of the Naval Ships, anchor- ed in the outer harbor, thundered forth the national salute and ensigns were hoisted to their appropriate positions.
THE WAR SHIPS
Through the active efforts of Congressman A. Piatt Andrew, a member of the committee on naval affairs, the U. S. Mine Squadron One, Destroyer Squadron 9, and the plane carrier Langley were detailed here for the anniversary.
The fleet was anchored in the outer bay and proved an ef- fective adjunct in the observance, the officers and personnel co- operating heartily to that end. The searchlight displays, the participating in the parade, effective policing, etc, reflected the highest credit on this branch of the Nation's defensive service.
The fleet comprised the U. S. S. Shawmut, Captain John W. Greenslade, Commanding Mine Squadron One; U. S. S. Mahan, (102) Commander Andrew S. Hickey; U. S. S. Maury, (100) Lieutenant-Commander William W. Wilson; U. S. S. Lark,
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Lieutenant Robert Rohange; U. S. S. Mallard, Lieutenant Christopher Murray; U. S. S. Langley, Captain H. S. Doyle ; U. S. S. Breck, Lieutenant-Commander F. Slingluff; U. S. S. Converse, Lieutenant Commander R. Jacobs; U. S. S. Lardner, Lieutenant-Commander E. R. Brandt; U. S. S. Sharkey, Captain W. G. Littlefield.
These were joined later by the U. S. S. Gresham, Lieutenant- Commander James Pine; U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Modoc, Com- mander B. M. Chiswell; U. S. Coast Guard Training Ship, Alexander Hamilton, Commander H. D. Hinckley.
THE FISHERMAN'S RACE POSTPONED
The scheduled event of the morning was the race between fishing schooners for the magnificent trophies given by Sir Thomas Lipton and Colonel John W. Prentiss.
Unquestionably the outstanding feature of the 250th cele- bration was the Homeric contest of fishing craft, sailed in a northeast gale August 26, 1892. Ten schooners were entered in a marine trial which will never be forgotten by those who wit- nessed it or who read the records of soul-stirring sport. The winners were the schooners Harry L. Belden, Captain Maurice Whalen and the Lottie S. Haskins, Captain E. A. Malone, in the second class.
To many throughout the country such a contest has an ir- resistible appeal and Gloucester alone may stage such an inspir- ing spectacle. Accordingly Mr. Tibbets planned to make the occasion notable. To that end he succeeded in interesting Sir Thomas Lipton, who responded heartily to the idea and in the early summer there arrived from London an artistic example of the silversmith's art in sterling standing on an ebony base. This was to be awarded the winning schooner. In addition Colonel John W. Prentiss, presented as a second prize, a fine cup of American craftmanship.
RECEPTION TO SIR THOMAS LIPTON
Sir Thomas had been given a tnost cordial invitation to be present. Word came down from Boston, where he was staying that he proposed to motor down the shore to witness the race.
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The committee determined to show Sir Thomas that Gloucester appreciated his courtesy in a manner befitting the "citizens of no mean city."
Accordingly a large motor cavalcade headed by Mayor MacInnis, accompanied by the Fifth regiment band, was on hand at the Cut bridge to meet the distinguished visitor who expressed genuine pleasure at the compliment. He was accompanied by Hon. John F. Fitzgerald and John F. O'Hara, the latter owner of the new schooner "Shamrock," one of the contestants in the race.
Mayor MacInnis extended a cordial welcome and presented him a key to the city, the first time such a formality had been ob- served here. Then came a procession through the Main street the baronet clad in a suit of navy blue, the cap with the Royal Ulster yacht club insignia, being heartily cheered along the route, proving a veritable lion of the occasion. He was entertained at lunch at "Blighty" and then paid a visit to the schooner "Shamrock," at one of the wharves being introduced to her helmsman, the cele- brated "Marty" Welch, skipper of the "Esperanto," first time winner of the International Fisherman's trophy.
THE FISHERMAN'S RACE POSTPONED
Early in the morning tens of thousands gathered to witness this marine classic. They lined solidly every point of vantage along the Back Shore. They came from all sections the auto- mobile predominating.
The weather conditions were dubious. The day opened with a dense fog with hardly a breath of air stirring. At nine, the scheduled hour of starting, there was no indication of wind. However, the committee boat, the U. S. S. Coast Guard "Modoc," got underway for the starting line, followed by the three contes- tants, the schooners "Henry Ford," "Elizabeth Howard" and the "Shamrock." They were escorted by hundreds of every type and size of craft each having a heavy quota of passengers.
The committee, averse to disappointing the spectators, de- ferred the start hourly hoping that a piping breeze might arise and the contest be determined. At noon there was no sign of improvement in weather conditions, and the committee decided to postpone the contest until Thursday.
.
*5. Tupper
SHIP OF DORCHESTER COLONISTS Coming to anchor off Half-Moon Beach, Fisherman's Field, Stage Fort, 1623.
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THE HISTORICAL AND LITERARY EXERCISES
The historical and literary exercises were held in the tent at the park at 3.30 in the afternoon, a large and expectant audience having assembled.
The contributions showed the result of careful study and are distinct additions to the historical literature of the community. The program was as follows .:
March, "Pomp and Circumstance" Elgar
Invocation Rt. Rev. Philip M. Rhinelander, D. D. Address of Welcome Mayor William J. MacInnis
Cantata, "Land of Our Hearts"
Chadwick
Greetings of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Governor Channing H. Cox Weber
Overture, Jubel
Anniversary Oration, Hon. John L. Bates, Ex-Gov. of Mass.
Chorus; "I am Alpha and Omega" from "Mors et Vita" Gounod Anniversary Poem Percy MacKaye
Prayer Rev. Alfred A. Madsen, Ph. D.
Hallelujah Chorus, from "The Messiah" Handel
Historical Paper
James R. Pringle
"The Permanent Settlement of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Cape Ann in 1623"
Original Ode (Sung by the Chorus and Audience) Abbie F. Rust
Benediction Rev. Myles D. Kiley, P. R.
The Music was by a Chorus of 150 trained voices of the Arthur S. Wonson Choral Society, augmented by members of Community Chorus. Arthur B. Keene, Conductor. G. Allyn Browne, Pianist, and the Boston Orchestral Players of 25 pieces.
To Hon. John Lewis Bates, LL. D., ex-governor of Massa- chusetts, was accorded the honor of the historical address. At the 250th anniversary celebration a similar task had been as- signed Rev. Dr. John L. R. Trask, whose contribution was a notable and exhaustive effort. Apparently the subject had been thoroughly covered.
To this work Mr. Bates brought ripe scholarship, deep re- search and special understanding. He broke new ground, so to speak, the subjective as well as the objective receiving analysis. He sought back to the cradle of the northern races for the origin of those fundamentals which have made the American people out- standing. He reviewed the age-long struggle for freedom which eventuated in the foundation overseas, of a New England with those processes of law and order which are the foundation of the national civic structure.
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Charles A. Russell, Esq., who had been prominently identi- fied with the activities of the 1892 celebration as well as in many of the civic enterprises was chosen chairman of this most import- ant committee and his duties were discharged with fine discrimina- tion and a fidelity which made these exercises highly satisfactory and adequate in every way. He was the presiding officer and his introductory remarks were as follows :
Ladies and gentlemen: On behalf of the committee in charge of the literary exercises it is my high privilege to bid you a cordial welcome to these Anniversary exercises. It is especially significant and eminently fitting that this 300th Anniversary cele- bration of Gloucester's birthday and of her golden jubilee as an incorporated municipality of the commonwealth should be cele- brated here on this very spot hallowed by those hearty adventur- ous fishermen and farmers of the Dorchester company, who land- ed here in 1623 and thereby established the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It later ripened into the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts and here, also, they built their first wharves and fishing stages and established the fishing business which has been carried on as one of the leading industries of the Commonwealth for three centuries.
The hour, the limited time assigned to these exercises the exigencies of the occasion all forbid that the presiding officer should make extended remarks pertinent to the occasion. He will, therefore, confine himself strictly to the performance of the usual functions of a master of ceremonies and introduce the speakers. The worker, the prime mover and leader of the Dor- chester company was the Rev. John White who was a clergyman of the Established church of England. It is fitting, therefore, that the invocation to Deity on this occasion should be offered by a clergy- man of that faith and I have the pleasure of calling upon the Rt. Rev. Philip M. Rhinelander to offer the invocation.
The Invocation :
Almighty God who in the firmament didst lead our fathers further into this goodly land and hast given it to us for our heritage we give Thee hearty thanks for that spirit of brave adventurousness to which this nation owes its birth and we humbly beseech Thee that we may prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and eager to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning and pure manners; save us from violence discord and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, preserve our unity, fashion into one happy people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Imbue with the
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spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy name we give the authority of government, to the end that there might be justice and peace at home and that we may show forth Thy praise and keep our place among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness and in the day of trouble suffer not our trust in Thee to fail. All of which we ask through Jesus Christ thy son our lord. Amen.
Mr. Russell continuing said :
The committee on literary exercises has provided a program which they deem befitting to the occasion, an occasion of such magnitude and moment as the 300th Anniversary celebration and we submit that program consisting of speaking and music with confidence that it will meet with the acceptance of this large, critical and discriminating audience. It seems appropriate that the first speaker on the program should be he who can speak in official voice representing the municipality itself of Gloucester, and to give you welcome officially of the city and I take great pleasure in presenting to you his Honor Mayor William J. MacInnis, a son of Gloucester and of its hardy fisherfolk, who will bring the welcome of Gloucester to its audience and will also in the conclusion of his remarks introduce a distinguished visitor from across the sea and who is himself of great renown.
The mayor spoke as follows :
Mr. Chairman, dear friends, I feel very happy on this occasion to bring the official welcome of the city of Gloucester to these historical exercises. As your chairman has well said these exercises are most appropriate on this particular spot, where 300 years ago that dauntless crew of people from Dorchester settled, built their stages and started the first industry in the United States of America. Here was started the first venture in govern- ment and out of that start came the Massachusetts Bay Colony and out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony grew the Common- wealth of Massachusetts the first of the commonwealths of the greatest nation in the world. It is appropriate on this occasion to have represented certain cities and towns which have been affiliated in the celebration of the past with the celebration of Gloucester. I beg the privilege to read a short letter from Dorchester, Eng- land, from which place came the first settlers whom I have mentioned.
Town Clerk's Office, Dorchester. 9th August, 1923.
Your Worship,
The Mayor has asked me to reply to your letter of the 19th July last, and to intimate his sincere regret that he cannot be with you at
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the 300th Anniversary of the first settlement at Gloucester, Massa- chusetts.
The kindly greetings conveyed in your letter from the people of Gloucester to the people of Dorchester are heartily appreciated and reciprocated.
On my own behalf I should only be too pleased to see any in- habitant of Gloucester, Mass., visiting this town who may desire to see something of the Municipal part of the Ancient Borough, and beg to remain,
Very truly yours, (Signed) J. Adrian Hands, Town Clerk.
His Worship the Mayor, Gloucester, Massachusetts, U. S. A.
And some time later after the first settlement came people from Gloucester, England, which was the occasion of the naming of our own city Gloucester and needless to say the bond of friend- ship between the two Gloucesters has been exceedingly firm and close and it is much to our regret that we do not have present to- day a representative from across the sea, and I ask for the op- portunity of reading a letter which expresses his sentiments.
Guildhall, Gloucester. 3rd August, 1923.
Dear Mr. Mayor,
I duly received your very kind letter of the 19th ultimo. Having previously received a Programme showing that an invitation was being extended to the Members of the Council of this City, I referred to the matter at the last Meeting of the Council when the Members expressed their great appreciation of the invitation for them to at- tend and participate in the very interesting Programme which has been arranged for celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the Foundation of your City, and their regret that they were unable to accept the invita- tion; but these are very busy and somewhat difficult times, and I fear other Members, like myself, find it impracticable to get away for the time that would be necessary. However, it gave me great pleasure to move a Resolution of congratulation, a sealed copy of which is being forwarded to your City Clerk.
The Members of the Council and the Citizens generally take a deep interest in the progress and welfare of their Sister City, and I have heard of the great kindness and hospitality which has been ex- tended to Gloucestrians who have visited your City.
Trusting that the Anniversary proceedings may prove a great success, that your City may long continue to prosper, and that the close friendship between the two Gloucesters may long be con- tinued,
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I have the honor to be, Mr. Mayor,
Yours very faithfully, (Signed) J. O. Roberts, Mayor.
The Hon. William J. MacInnis, Mayor of Gloucester, Mass., U. S. A.
"I hope that all the events of this celebration will be pleasing and enjoyable to you all and particularly to those of you who come from outside and return here to observe the progress of the city from whence you went. As your chairman has intimated we have had the privilege today of entertaining a very honored guest one whose name is known from the lakes to the gulf and from the Atlantic to the Pacific in our own country. A sportsman of the first water who has been seen in our country many times challenging for a cup which I hope he will win the very next time he comes. His very pleasing bearing and gracious demeanor during the day have been a very pleasing benediction to those who have been privileged to associate with him. He was not on the program, he came here to witness the race but the powers that be caused that which prevented the race and we have asked that he come here to these exercises and just stand up and say a few words and any word he will say will be most happily received by you I know.
I have the great honor and privilege on this occasion to in- troduce a very distinguished citizen of the British nation and a friend of the American nation his honor, Sir Thomas Lipton."
Shortly after the exercises began Sir Thomas and party entered and were escorted to the speakers platform. His ap- pearance was an unexpected but decidedly welcome addition to the program and hardly had he taken his seat before he was accorded a demonstration which must have convinced him that he was with "mine ain people" in every way.
Sir Thomas talked right out, like a man accustomed to face crowds and tell his story in vigorous English and not without a touch of blarney withal. He told a few illustrative stories, the wit of which gave him instantaneous grip on the risibilities and sym- pathies of his listeners.
"I am very grateful to you," said he, "for all the words you say about me here. I need not assure you it is a very great pleasure to me to be here today, at such an historic time, and particularly to come to present the cup at the fishermen's race. They are a class of men that work very hard and their occupation is dangerous, and nothing can be too good for them.
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"It was a great pleasure to me when I was asked to present a cup, and I hope the winner of it will have it for a long time. And may I add that I trust I will be able to get another myself for the race of 1925. (Applause.)
"I have been racing over here now 23 years (laughter) and I think I have the largest collection of yacht racing cups in the world -- I don't mean tea cups. I mean sporting cups and the most valuable that I have won are cups taken on the shores of France, Germany, England, Ireland and Scotland, but I would rather have the cup that is over here than the whole of them put together (laughter and pro- longed applause.)
"Now this cup here (and at this point Sir Thomas's face assumed a quizzical cast) what use can you make of it? You can't put any- thing in it! (laughter.) When I was racing myself I am sure the American people would have been just as pleased as the English would have been if I had won. I have done my very best, got the best boats I could to sail the races and win and if any mistake was made when I was here it has been at all times in my favor. I never want or expect to meet better sportsmen than it has been my good fortune to meet on American soil.
"I have had all sorts of mascots offered and sent to me by well- wishers on this side. A woman sent me some grasshoppers from Kan- sas and I have 17 Irish terriers sent me by different friends. Another woman said she had a boy who was a most fortunate person and had the reddest head of hair I ever saw and she wanted me to take him as a mascot. I wrote back that I had already an odd collection of animal mascots on board and I might let the animals all loose on deck and they might devour the boy if she was bent on getting rid of him.
"There is only one man that I know who does not want to see my face in America. He lives in Tompkinsville and is a Swede. He wrote to me and put his name down as Belger and he says, 'My wife is an Irish woman. The remarkable thing about it is that when you first arrived over here with the Shamrock on the day of the race my wife presented me with a fine baby boy. Things went all right till the day the Shamrock anchored in New York Bay the next year. On that day she presented me with a nice girl. This was almost too much, but I managed to exist. When, however, the third Shamrock came over, the day she sighted New York my wife presented me with a little boy. Now there is not a more loyal American citizen in the country than I am, but I do pray from the bottom of my heart that you this year get that elegant cup. If you don't get it, for heaven's sake never come back here again or I'm a busted man!'
"I wrote to the man asking him to call and take a cup of tea with me and we would talk over the three birth certificates if he would bring them in. The mother meantime wrote and asked me if I would be godfather to the last child and I said I would with the greatest of pleasure.
"In 1919 when I arranged for the trip over here in 1920 my sec- retary said to me, 'There is a youth at the door who says his name
SIR THOMAS J. LIPTON Donor of Lipton Trophy, 300th Anniversary Fisherman's Race Speaker at Literary and Historical Exercises
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is Thomas Lipton Belger who says his mother sent him over to ask what time I would arrive next year.' I told the boy to say I would come between the 10th and 20th of July. 'O,' he said, 'my mother wants to know the exact date.' He added: 'My mother was very sorry you didn't come in 1914 because she had a little girl then.'
"I told him the war was on at that time and I would not race and that ended my connection with my Swedish friend in Tompkins- ville.
"Let me add in conclusion that every time I have raced here I have been treated by all I met in the best spirit-cordially, generously and with true sportsmanship. Of course the Shamrock's name will always find a warm spot in my heart, but in future whatever boat wins, the Americans certainly deserve the cup; and let me express my appreciation of the great kindness that has been shown to me here since I arrived here in Gloucester today and I wish to thank you all most heartily."
At the conclusion of Sir Thomas' remarks Mr. Russell said :
It is with deep regret that I have to announce that the next speaker appearing on the program who was to bring the official greetings of the Commonwealth in the person of Governor Cox, has in response to an imperative demand of public duty been com- pelled to go out of the state to attend a conference of the Governors of the Northern states called by the President and in relation to and in hope of averting the coal menace strike. We have here a letter received since our program went to the printer addressed to Mr. Daniel O. Marshall secretary of the Literary Exercises committee.
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, STATE HOUSE, BOSTON
24th August, 1923.
Daniel O. Marshall, Secretary,
Committee on Literary Exercises, Three Hundredth Anniversary Celebration
Gloucester, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Marshall:
I have been looking forward with great anticipation to the Gloucester Celebration, and to having a brief part in the Literary Exercises on Monday afternoon. It is, therefore, a great disappoint- ment to find now that it will be absolutely impossible for me to come. The President has called a conference of the Governors of the states which use anthracite coal, for August 28th in New York City, and I feel it my first duty to leave Monday noon to attend that conference
I hope your celebration may bring great satisfaction to the people
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of Gloucester, and I deeply regret that I shall be prevented from coming there Monday and Tuesday, as I had so confidently hoped.
Very truly yours,
CHANNING H. COX.
Mr. Russell continuing said :
But in place perhaps of the greetings of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts personally extended by His Excellency, the Governor, I may be permitted to read a statement in the nature of a proclamation issued by the Governor and which is particular- ly fine.
FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF SETTLEMENT OF GLOUCESTER
"It has been the fine custom of the people of Massachusetts to commemorate the anniversaries of important events in their history. During the days of August 26th to 30th the attention of all our people will be turned to the notable celebration of the Three Hundredth Anni- versary of the first settlement of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Gloucester, Cape Ann, and of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the incor- poration of Gloucester as a city. From the settlement at Stage Fort Park grew the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and there our first school and first meeting house were erected, and there our first town meeting was held. At the same time Gloucester celebrates the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the establishment of the first permanent business of fishing in this Commonwealth,-a business which has been uninterruptedly pursued, and which ranks as the oldest industry in Massachusetts.
It is interesting to recall that there, in Gloucester, two years after its settlement, the principle of arbitration was employed to settle disputes between the contending factions of Plymouth and Gloucester, and the first arbitrator was Roger Conant, well called "The Peace Maker." From that day in 1625 the principle of arbitration has stead- fastly though slowly gained, and the world may well hope that this principle may be more universally used to settle peacefully disputes between nations as well as individuals.
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