About Us
The Gig Rowers
The Gloucester Gig Rowers started in 1985, when a group of Cape Ann women approached boat builder Larry Dahlmer and asked him to build them a boat inspired by the pilot gigs of Southwest England. The result was the Siren Song — a 29’, plywood-construction gig. The original group of women remained active until the early 1990s, when other interests and events intervened.
At this point, Siren Song spent some time in dry dock, then was loaned to rowing programs at the Hull Life Saving Museum (Massachusetts) and in Kittery, Maine.
In the spring of 2001, Siren Song returned to Gloucester. Ann Banks organized a new group and created a program within the newly-formed Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center. In 2004, a second boat was commissioned by the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center and built by Dave Condino. Launched in the spring of 2007, the Gannet is built to the standards of a traditional Cornish pilot gig.
Programs
We row from April to November on Gloucester Harbor. Most rows are for one hour, often split into two or three sessions with a short break in between. Our programs include rowing for all abilities and interests.
After a brief orientation, rowers are encouraged to pursue their interests, ranging from a relaxed recreational row around the harbor, to conditioning rows, race training rows, and competitive racing against other New England clubs. Races are as short as several-hundred-yard, and as long as 20 miles around Cape Ann.
We are currently developing a teen program for students aged 13 to 18, with twice-weekly instruction sessions and rows. For more information, please contact us at info@gloucestergigrowers.com.
Pilot Gigs
The Cornish pilot gig is a s a 32' six-oared boat with a beam of 4'9. We row one gig built to spec (Gannet), and one a bit shorter (Siren Song).
The Cornish gig was developed in the early 1800s, and has its roots in the Scilly Isles, 40 miles off of the coast of Cornwall, England. The boats were used to transport a local pilot to incoming sailing vessels, and needed to be both fast and seaworthy. The first boat to reach the ship offshore got the job of guiding the vessel through the treacherous shoals in that area (and therefore shared in the profits).
These boats were multi-purpose, however, and were also used as shore-based lifeboats that went out to vessels in distress, freight carriers among the islands, and to smuggle contraband across the English Channel. Pilot gigs are actively raced in Europe today, and have been adopted (and often adapted) by many youth and adult rowing programs around the United States.
The Dory
Originally, Gloucestermen fished from Grand Banks schooners using hand lines over the side of the schooner itself. Later they developed a system that involved launching dories from the mother ship. This system allowed the crew to cover much more territory, and was therefore more efficient. The dories varied in length; out dory is ~17’. While it’s easier to fish with two people handling the dory (and catch), many schooners—including the Lettie Howard—worked with one man setting tub trawls, or jigging over the side of the dory. Our dory is a one-person version.
Join
We are always seeking new members! Please explore our website, and send an e-mail to info@gloucestergigrowers.com if you are interested in joining our organization.
Click here to download our 2010 Rowing Program Registration form: word doc (110 KB)
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