Gloucester: Drying Sails Under a Full Moon c. 1910

In the early 1900’s Gloucester was at the zenith of its glory days as America’s premier fishing port and revered throughout the country for its principle product of salt cured codfish, which was exported worldwide.

In this view from East Gloucester looking west across the harbor to City Hall and the Baptist Church in the center of town, Grand Banks schooners having arrived in a storm, are at rest at their wharf with sails out to dry.

Beyond the Reed and Gamage warehouse a schooner awaits hauling out for repairs on Rocky Neck while further across the harbor an Italian bark lies at anchor in the “deep hole” after discharging a cargo of salt. Almost every available open space on the wharves was at this time taken up with drying of cod and other fish which were prepared by hand, then salted and laid out flakes (tables on trestles) to dry naturally in the open air. Each night they were covered by the boxes, as shown, to protect them from damage by possible overnight rain.

The shift of workmen having completed this task is departing, leaving the wharf in the custody of the night watchman.

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