International Fishermen's Race (1920)

Started by Senator Dennis of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, who put up a trophy called the International Fishermen's Trophy to be competed for by American and Canadian Fishing vessels. Only genuine fishing schooners with at least one seasons real fishing behind them could compete. No schooner yachts were allowed. First race set for October of 1920. The trials were held off of Halifax, N.S. and off Gloucester, MA. The first Int. Fishermen's Race was held Oct., 1920 off Halifax, N.S., Canada. Two races were held. The two competing schooners were DELAWANA, a Canadian Lunenberg built fishing schooner skippered by Captain Thomas Himmelman and ESPERANTO, a Gloucester schooner, Gloucester built, skippered by Captain Marty Welch. Lunenberg schooners were built in the capacity of freighters and not for speed whereas the Gloucester schooners were built for speed. ESPERANTO won both races and Welch held the trophy for that year and $4,000 in prize money. Other races were held in October of 1921, October of 1922, October of 1923, and unofficially in October of 1931 and October of 1938.