Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial
Why it's listed
Overlooking Gloucester Harbor from the Stacy Esplanade on Stacy Boulevard, this eight-foot bronze statue shows a fisherman in oilskins braced at a ship's wheel, gazing out to sea. English sculptor Leonard F. Craske created it, and the Gorham Company of Providence cast it in 1925. It rests on a green granite base carrying the inscription "They that go down to the sea in ships," and a time capsule with forty-three items is sealed inside. A circle of about 1,800 antique granite blocks surrounds it. The memorial honors the more than 10,000 Gloucester men lost at sea in the city's first three centuries, including 249 fishermen in 1879 alone. Craske won a 1923 competition for the commission after spending time aboard fishing schooners. The statue cost $10,000, paid half by the city and half by public subscription. It was unveiled in 1925 but dated 1923 to mark the city's tercentenary. It is considered Craske's finest work and has become a symbol of Gloucester.
Significance in brief: It commemorates the more than 10,000 Gloucester men lost at sea over the city's first three centuries and is regarded as a key symbol of the city's maritime heritage. It is also considered perhaps the city's most important work of public art and Craske's finest work. It is significant under Criteria A and C at the local and state levels.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 96000473, listed May 7, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S. Stacy Blvd., near entrance of Stacy Esplanade, Gloucester |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | May 7, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000473 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1923-1945 as written on the form; the Keeper amended the start date to 1925. |
| Architect / builder | Leonard F. Craske |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Maritime History, Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Bronze has lost its original patina and is covered with green and black-brown corrosion; the wheel and deck are worn smooth from handling. The statue stands in a public esplanade with a low chain fence and has a paved circle around its base. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.61021, -70.67093 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 96000473.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4343584
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.