Newburyport’s First Attempt at a Clipper Ship Museum
Unfortunately, the waterfront was a tangle pile of construction debris, an occasional drunk, and surrounded by rotting docks.
A little too early as the ship sat off shore of a rotting waterfront!
This venture was arranged by then Mayor George Lawler. City Assessor Dan Raycroft recalls that as the first time he himself visited Newburyport ~ before he was later drawn to the Waterside community where he now lives and once served as a public official.
For indeed, recollections of the Flying Cloud’s visit to port still resurface in the collective minds of some old citizens of Newburyport. Though the venture in the end failed, it made the entire waterside community realize that Newburyport was destined to be a “tourist destination” therefore setting the mold and oddly, fulfilling the prophecy made by Lord Timothy Dexter that the city was fated to become an attraction for visitors. (Keep in mind, modern tourism didn’t start until the Father of Tourism made his fateful global travels and published his accounts. (Mark Twain)) Ever after, there has been a concerted effort to make Clipper City an ever-increasing attraction.
FLYING CLOUD
(Transcribed from the City of Newburyport Annual Report, July 1, 1966 – June 30, 1967)
“The arrival of the replica of the famous clipper ship, the Flying Cloud, in Newburyport in time for Yankee Homecoming, July 31 to July 7, 1966, created a wave of interest in the fascinating maritime history of Newburyport.
Ship building and maritime trade in this city go back to the early 17th century. In one 70-year period over 100 ships were built. Newburyport carried on extensive trade and ships came from Guadeloupe, Madeira, Cadiz, Ireland, Rotterdam, Dunkirk, and Balboa and from many other exotic ports.
Last year the perennial question was asked: “What will be the theme for Yankee Homecoming?” Fortunately, the Mayor’s office learned that Nova Scotia craftsmen had just completed a replica of the “Flying Cloud,” a clipper type, many of which had been launched from the “Port.” The City Council approved an arrangement to lease the vessel for the two remaining summer months.
It was a source of satisfaction to the citizens that over 60,000 persons paid admission to visit the boat and the community profited by adding luster to its great historic seafaring image and the venture produced a golden tide of tourist dollars.
Our visitors’ interest did not cease on viewing the Flying Cloud. Thousands toured High Street and High Road, the three mile strip which some writers consider architecturally the most interesting street of its kind in the United States.
Residents sometime take for granted the unique architectural treasures of Newburyport but were again reminded of the national interest in early houses like the Tristram Coffin House, Swett-Illsely House, Short House and the Cushing House.
While Newburyport has been unable to produce a replica of her own spectacular “Dreadnaught,” the famous Liverpool packet called the “wild boat of the Atlantic,” there have been surveys and many discussions concerning the feasibility of a permanent historical facility which might comprise a ship replica. Custom House, and perhaps other structures of the past which would give a dimension to Newburyport’s economy by putting to work locally some fraction of the estimated 500 persons which is the number now employed at Sturbridge Village, a nearby historic facility which had over a half million visitors in 1966.“
Insert’s caption: FEBRUARY ~ CLIPPER SHIP “FLYING CLOUD” ~ (N. Currier 1852 ~ large folio.) One of the famous clippers built by Donald MacKay. It made the trip from New York to San Francisco, anchorage to anchorage, in 89 days ~ a record for the passage of that time.
It was, of course, the natural thing to do! We are “Clipper City” and this type of ship has been forever linked to our seafaring port. Here is the aerial photo to prove it was here.
And why not? Our city was being restored to its historic architecture. People were enthused and felt that Newburyport would become a regional and International draw for tourists. Excitement was in the air.
To bolster that fact, a large plaque was placed at Market Square to announce this fact and announcements were made in Boston and throughout New England. It was a heady time in 1971-72.
So the ship came to Newburyport and the tourists came. It looked like Newburyport was going to definitely be on the map. We would rival Mystic Seaport and the economic health of the town would be assured.
So why is there no clipper ship now down at our harbor? Why is there any tourist ship sitting at our beautiful boardwalk and the Whale Watch boat is the best we can offer?
As I said, it was way too soon.
Newburyport was not known for anything. No tourist in his right mind would spend a dime to come to this rundown mill town.
So what about the big placard announcing the Clipper Ship and Bruce Brown’s Sabino?
It was located on a boarded up building in front of a torn-up street.
Okay, so their hardy tourists. They can get past that.
Then, they go down to our beautiful waterfront. The first thing they have to do is hope their tires aren’t punctured by old nails and debris. They pick their way through construction materials, tall weeds and trash debris and find a parking spot up near the water.
They get out of their car and gingerly stride across the deeply rutted lot and try to get as close as they can to the water. They look up and behold the magnificent vessel
But you are not done yet. Now you want to board the ship and look at all the audio-visual displays on deck.
This will require again a very careful stroll over and around our lovely waterfront and get yourself ready to board.
Well, true to expectations, the crowds came from all over New England and the number on the docks was great. Write-ups praised Newburyport for being a great maritime city even though the Custom House was an empty shell and most of the City was in similar condition. The shops were not in yet, the restaurants were just getting started but the crowds came!
Unfortunately, at that time, Newburyport had no adequate docking facilities for such a grand ship and the marinas were just gearing up and maintenance equipment was hard to come by. That winter, the ice began to flow down the river and our great clipper ship became seriously damaged. By the spring, enough damage had been taken in that the boat was in serious need for repairs.
Since the boat was owned by a commercial entity, they realized that the repairs would be costly so the boat was hauled out of Newburyport never to be seen again. It was turned into a restaurant down in Boston. Failing that, it was sold and its whereabouts are hard to confirm at this time.
The great clipper ship was miserably towed away.