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Home News Portsmouth Launches the Gundalow Piscataqua!

Portsmouth Launches the Gundalow Piscataqua! Written by Bill Moore / Moore Photos   Saturday, 10 December 2011 All dressed up for company: This is the old gundalow, waiting for a new addition at Prescott Park! Back in 1982 -- as part of the Strawberry Banke historic museum which is based around Prescott Park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire -- a gundalow was launched. Here's a look at the new, sturdy flat-bottomed gundalow before the naming ceremony. The boat, like all those that presaged it hundreds of years beforehand, was a working boat. Its flat bottom and shallow draft allowed it to deliver goods upriver, throughout the bays that honeycomb the New Hampshire and Maine seacoast. Because a gundalow was going in harm's way, it came with a solid nose for the bump and grind. The gundalow had a triangular sail and a hinged mast -- hinged so it could be lowered to pass under any bridges it might encounter along its route. A good-sized crowd was on hand to cheer the Piscataqua's late-morning launch. On Saturday a new gundalow was launched in Portsmouth. And, because it will expand the legacy of commerce (and cater to summer tourists), it's named the Piscataqua. It Floats: The newly named Piscataqua slides into the water, starting a special journey. Of course, the Pisacataqua River separates Maine from New Hampshire, Kittery from Portsmouth, and the naval history goes back hundreds of years here . . . and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (in Kittery) is testament to its ongoing importance. Once launched, the Piscataqua paused briefly before heading to Prescott Park. The dedication of the new boat was set for 10:30, and hundreds of Yankees arrived early, standing in 40 degree temperatures to hear it. After a few words, the new Piscataqua slipped into the water, and was briefly tied to a dock. Guided by boats front and rear, the Piscataqua is towed out into the currant. Then, as a flood of people moved west from Pierce Island, over the bridge to Prescott Park, many stopped to see the first of the recreated gundalows named the Captain Edward H. Adams. Then, there was a stir as two tow boats took control of the Piscataqua, towed her into the waterway, and maneuvered her under the bridge. Honored guests hang on for the journey under the bridge to Prescott Park. While this might have been best accomplished at slack tide, the tide was running out, with considerable velocity . . . something the Piscataqua River has been known for throughout history. As the new gundalow passed under the bridge, it picked up speed. Picking up speed as the gundalow goes under the Pierce Island bridge. On the eastern side of this tributary is a dock, where lobster boats are tied up, two, three deep. The Amanda T. was on the outside, farthest into the river, and inside her were the Intrepid and the Eastern Star. On the far side of the bridge, the lobster boat Amanda-T was in the way! With a swoop, the current powered the Piscataqua gundalow towards the lobster boats, and as folks lined the bridge, looking down, for a second it looked as though we would witness a launching . . . and a sinking . . . all on the same day. WHOA!. The rear tow boat goes into reverse to slow the gundalow Piscataqua. The tow boat in the rear reversed engines, the lead boat, for a second with a slack tow rope, finally maneuvered to pull the Piscataqua away from the lobster boats . . . but it had been a narrow escape. Here, after its narrow escape, the new gundalow heads to its mooring spot. The day ended, with honored guests disembarking from the Piscataqua, and the new gundalow tied up against the side of the older gundalow . . . each in the shadow of the Memorial Bridge -- itself in transition. Here, you can see the older gundalow to the left, and the Memorial Bridge beyond. On the last week of January, the three major spans of that bridge will be dropped and floated away, and work will begin to create a new Memorial Bridge . . . and it is planned for completion on July 3rd, 2013. Safely moored near the old gundalow, the Piscataqua is snugged up. So, yeah, things are buzzing in Portsmouth! Last Updated ( Saturday, 21 July 2012 )   < Prev   Next > [ Back ]