The Ardelle's Debut ' Story by the Gloucester Times

The Glocuester Times has a great story and photos in today's paper, featured here, but thank you to all for making this such a great event. We would also like to post pictures as everyone has a different angle of the launch which is great. Today, we thank Dan Tobyne and my cousin Wendy Upton for their shots!!

Here is the times story with link below
July 10, 2011


The Ardelle's debut

By Gail McCarthy

Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Sun Jul 10, 2011, 11:58 PM EDT

ESSEX — The launch of the latest Essex schooner is now history.

Close to 2,000 spectators watched the 60-ton splashdown of the Schooner Ardelle in Essex on Saturday evening at high tide at the historic Burnham Boatbuilding yard.

The air filled with hushed anticipation from the crowd after the christening when the workers began to sledge hammer away the wooden blocks keeping the vessel, crafted by Harold Burnham and his colleagues, in place at the water's edge just about 6 p.m.

Then, within about 15 minutes, it was all over. The Ardelle floated on the calm waters after it listed dramatically to one side.

The atmosphere was tense when the boat began to move along its track, with a palpable gasp from the crowd. Then it stopped. More work was done to free the blocks and let Mother Nature takes its course.

Barry O'Brien, who serves on the board of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, explained to the crowd what they were watching, and what they could expect to see.

"At some point, gravity will take over," he said.


And that it did, when the Pinky Schooner hit the river, followed by cheers and a "hip-hip hooray." About a dozen boys and girls seated on the bridge over the river then plunged into the high-tide water
 http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x1227516204/The-Ardelles-debut




Ardelle on Sat. a.m. with the staging down. Dan Tobyne photo.

 







Photo by Wendy Upton

 

Ardelle launches in the Essex side launch style without a hitch. Huzzah!
 Photo by Dan Tobyne

Check out all the pictures in Good Morining Gloucester! http://networkedblogs.com/kdjLM