Little Lady, a historic vessel that has fished out of Menemsha for decades, has left its harbor. On Thursday morning, the boat — the last one-man, wooden western-rig dragger in New England — journeyed to Vineyard Haven, where it will undergo restoration.
The boat has fished for fluke off the coast of Chilmark for three generations. Currently captained by Dennis Jason, it was first purchased by his grandfather Leonard Jason Sr. in the 1930s and brought to the Island.
The Little Lady had an escort on Thursday: Sirius, one of Ralph Packer’s tugboats, and Hillary Ann 2, which belongs to John Keene, the president of the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust. The trust is working with Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway and Mr. Jason to restore the historic vessel.
About an hour after Little Lady headed out, Nat Benjamin set off from the dock at Gannon and Benjamin in Vineyard Haven in his boat, Patrol. He is a co-founder of Gannon and Benjamin, which will be restoring the boat once the funds are raised. Mr. Benjamin also knew Mr. Jason’s grandfather, the man who purchased the boat and brought it to Menemsha Bight.
“It’s a project that’s so meaningful,” Mr. Benjamin said. “The Island history, the personal history, plus it’s a beautiful design.”
Although fundraising has not begun in earnest, the town of Chilmark has already designated $100,000 of Community Preservation Act funds for the project.
Shelley Edmundson, the executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust, was on the boat with Mr. Benjamin. She checked her phone to note the progress of Sirius and Hillary Ann 2.
Just after Patrol rounded the West Chop lighthouse, Little Lady and her escorts appeared on the horizon. Mr. Benjamin guided his boat alongside Little Lady, and Mr. Jason stepped out from behind the helm and waved. The moment was filmed by Ollie Becker, of Circuit Arts, who was aboard Hillary Ann 2. Mr. Becker will document the restoration process of Little Lady.
Mr. Benjamin followed behind Little Lady as the group neared land, passing many wooden sailboats that were past projects of Gannon and Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin said that traditionally built wooden boats are infinitely repairable, and ones with a history and character like Little Lady are the type that he and his team are eager to restore.
“It’s fabulous,” Mr. Benjamin said. “It’s got this very authentic feel and vibe about it, you can feel the history.”
The boat will be dry docked at Packer’s wharf before repairs, which are set to begin in the fall.
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