Minutemen Attack by Sea!

September 6, 2003

by John Jacobson

Let it be recorded, that on this date, nineteen Sudbury "Minutepersons" successfully made their way to Pickering Wharf in Salem, Massachusetts.

Under the command of Captain JJ and Lieutenant Jack Stokinger, ten intrepid Model A’s traveled through the towns of Sudbury, Lincoln, Concord, Lexington, Woburn, Stoneham, Lynnfield, Peabody, finally making camp on the Wharf alongside the 60’ schooner ”Fame”.

Being a National Park, entrance permission had been previously requested and subsequently granted by Park Ranger, Michael Parr, and we were met at the gate. The cars were parked in neat alignment, and required diapers were placed beneath each vehicle. (as if Model A’s ever leaked!).

Vin and Nicky Del Mastro, Dick and Mazie Stitt, Dick and Maria Berry, Wayne and Susan Champagne, Jack and Jo Stokinson, Gene and Joyce Bunce, Jack Bickel, Rick Gadbois, John Pierce and daughter Kim and her husband Gil Rodriguez followed the Jacobsons as they boarded the “Fame” and took their battle stations.

An exact replica of a famous privateer vessel that set sail in 1811 in search of British cargo ships, she is owned and sailed by Michael Rutstein, who grew up in Sudbury, is the owner of Boston Baseball Magazine and the author of a book about the adventures of the real schooner “Fame”. Deciding to realize a persistent dream, he commissioned the building of this identical schooner by the 350 year old  Burnham boat yard that is still in business in Essex, Massachusetts.

Captain Rutstein gave us a super presentation/ lecture on “Fame’s” construction, and its successful exploits in the plundering of English booty. He foolishly assigned Minutemen to the task of raising and lowering the sails and, despite our help, he was able to bring us safely back to port.

We bade farewell to Pickering Wharf and went on to a great seafood lunch at a 75 year old local eatery.

Tour leaders, Shirley and John Jacobson, as usual, disagreed with each other on most of the tour planning details, but both did agree that they would like to try tour leadership again---SEPARATELY!

photos by Jack Bickel