Searching for the vessel 'Shirley Blanche'

joshuachesler · #1 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

My dad bought the Grand Banks Schooner 'Shirley Blanche' in St John's Newfoundland in 1978. We sailed her into Boston in 1980, then through New York, Delaware, Chesapeake Bay, and Ended up in Norfolk Virginia in 81. My dad, Rutherford Ross, sold her there to a guy who wanted to turn her into a floating restaurant.

She is 101' long, weighs 100 tons, and last seen in 81' had steel reinforcing plate on both sides of the bow. I don't have any paperwork on her. I've contacted coast guard and virginia dmv but have yet to hear from them.

I'm writing a book about my adventures aboard this vessel at age 7. I'd love to find out what happened to her after we sold her. If anyone has info, or can point me in a direction I'd really appreciate it.

you can email me @ joshuachesler@yahoo.com

joshuachesler · #2 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

Another stop we made was Baltimore in 80' We were tied next to "The Pride Of Baltimore 1' for the opening ceremony of the Harborplace.

serenespeed · #3 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

This one?

cspaniel · #4 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

Was it ever documented with the USCG?

you can search here by name:

https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/Coa...selByName.html

Good luck!

imiloa · #5 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

You might want to contact Jim Sharp through this site - a lot of knowledge regarding a number of schooners on the east coast.
Sail Power & Steam Museum Website!

joshuachesler · #6 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

I wish she looked like that. She was well used. I'll post a pic soon. I was just informed she may have been taken to Panama to haul bananas.

I think dad registered her when we got in to Boston. I've got an email in to the CG to see.

Thanks for the help guys. Much appreciated.

joshuachesler · #7 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

Nothing thru NOAA.

joshuachesler · #8 (**permalink**) 03-29-2011

Here's the last pic of her I have. It was taken in 1981. The original wheelhouse was replace with the utilitarian monster you see in the pic.

WanderingStar · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2011

You might also ask on the WoodenBoat Forum, many of those guys have long experience in sail.

joshuachesler · #10 (**permalink**) 04-04-2011

SO the latest is she sank at a dock in in Hampton Virginia after the guy we sold her to, Roy Dunlap, abandoned her. Gary Kessal of The Schooner Gallery was trying to form the Virginia Maritime Foundation in 1984 to try to save her.

If anyone has any info please email me at joshuachesler@yahoo.com.