A 5,000-Pound Anchor Returns to Shore and I Got to Photograph It
This morning, I had the incredible opportunity to document a moment that blended drama, history, and hometown pride—a 5,000-pound anchor, salvaged from a 1907 shipwreck, was carefully lowered into place by crane outside the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport.
Photographing this event was a privilege. Not only because of the sheer scale and weight of the anchor, but because of the incredible story behind it—one that ties together maritime heritage, modern technology, and Newburyport’s evolving role as a hub for ocean innovation.
The Anchor's Story
The anchor once belonged to the schooner Sagamore, a vessel that was lost at sea off Martha’s Vineyard in May 1907. The ship's final moments read like something out of a movie: during a bizarre and unforgettable collision, the Sagamore’s 50-foot bowsprit punctured the bridge of a Norwegian steamship, launching its captain through the air and onto the deck of the Sagamore. He survived the ordeal and was rowed to safety by the schooner's crew.
Now, over a century later, that same anchor has returned to land—this time as a permanent symbol of Newburyport’s deep maritime roots.
Klein Marine Systems “Drops Anchor” in Newburyport
This stunning donation came from Klein Marine Systems, a global leader in sonar and underwater imaging, and now a subsidiary of General Oceans. The company recently moved from New Hampshire to its new home at 65 Parker Street in Newburyport. Today’s anchor installation was not just symbolic—it was literal, as Klein “dropped anchor” in a city that helped shape America’s maritime legacy.
Atendees at the event included Ted Curley, VP/General Manager of Klein Marine Systems, and Robert Cronin, Board Chair of the Custom House Maritime Museum, along with several local officials. Their presence highlighted the importance of this collaboration between a leading-edge technology company and a treasured local institution.
A Photographer’s Perspective
Photographing the moment the crane hoisted this massive anchor through the air and carefully lowered it into position was both technically challenging and incredibly rewarding. It’s not every day that I get to document a scene that’s both visually striking and historically meaningful.
The museum’s new exhibit will no doubt become an iconic feature on the waterfront. But more than that, it’s a reminder that our city’s past and future are still very much intertwined.
If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by the Custom House to see this piece of maritime history for yourself. And if you're interested in working together or licensing any of these images for commercial use, feel free to contact me by clicking HERE.