Mystic in Stonington in New London County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Eastern-Rig Dragger Roann
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013
1. Eastern-Rig Dragger Roann Marker
Built: 1947, Newbert & Wallace, Thomaston, Maine
60’ 1” Length
Beam: 16’ 9”
Draft: 9’
Roann may appear “modern” compared to the Museum’s fishing schooner L.A. Dunton, but she is now “older” than the Dunton was when she arrived here in 1963.
Roann worked the New England waters for 50 years and was one of the last surviving examples of the efficient offshore fishing boats that replaced sailing schooners like the L.A. Dunton. Roann represented a revolutionary advance in technology – powered as she was by a diesel engine rather than sails. And by dragging a huge conical net called an “otter trawl” along the sea bed, her crew of three to five men could catch more flounder and cod than a dozen of the Dunton’s dorymen with their hooks and line.
Roann is called an “eastern-rig dragger” because she hails her catch in over the side of the vessel, not over the stern as the “western-rig draggers” like the Museum’s Florence did. Today, eastern-rig draggers like Roann have been replaced by larger steel-hulled stern trawlers which use net reels and stern ramps to fish more safely and productively.
These photos were taken May 29, 1997, during Roann’s last fishing trip, by the Mystic Seaport Photography Department.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 41° 21.627′ N, 71° 57.886′ W. Marker was in Stonington, Connecticut, in New London County. It was in Mystic. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) and Bruggeman Place, on the right when traveling south. Located in Mystic Seaport. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Grand Banks Fishing Schooner Roseway (a few steps from this marker); Gerda III (a few steps from this marker); Propeller Steamer Sabino (a few steps from this marker); Western-Rig Dragger Florence (within shouting distance of this marker); Outhouse or Privy (within shouting distance of this marker); Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry (within shouting distance of this marker); Noank Well-Smack Emma C. Berry (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Paul Cuffe, 1759 - 1817 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
Related marker.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013
2. Eastern-Rig Dragger Roann and Marker
Also see . . . Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea. (Submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013
3. Eastern-Rig Dragger Roann
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 26, 2013
4. Eastern-Rig Dragger Roann
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
