Maritime & Occupational Monument: Man At The Wheel

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Man At The Wheel 

Gloucester, MA

Topics: Maritime Monument, Occupational Monument

GPS: N42° 36.605; W070° 40.216

Quick Description: 

The iconic Man At The Wheel, aka the Gloucester Fisherman Memorial, is located on Western Avenue on the waterfront in Gloucester.

Long Description:

The sculpture of the Man At The Wheel was commissioned in 1923 for the 300th anniversary of the founding of the City of Gloucester and to honor Gloucester fishermen, especially those lost at sea. Funding for the statue came from the Massachusetts State Legislature and the City of Gloucester. The sculpture was completed in 1925, two years after the city's 300th anniversary.

A 9' by 5' by 47" figure of a Gloucester fisherman is characteristically dressed in rain slicker, boots, and hat. He stands with his right hip touching a ships wheel steering column while his right hand, at 10:30 o'clock, and left hand, at 3:30 o'clock, grasp the wheel. He stares intently at the sea.
The sculpture was created by Leonard Craske and cast in bronze at the Gorham Manufacturing Company foundry. It was commisssioned in 1923 and dedicated August 23, 1925.

On the front of the 5.5' by 4.5' by 4' base is the inscription:


THEY THAT GO
DOWN TO THE SEA
IN SHIPS
1623 - 1923