AH-WR-1842

Leader

Fishing Schooner · Lost 1895 · Cape Ann & the Gulf of Maine

Leader wrecked near Norman’s Woe in a January 1895 snowstorm; four men died while attempting to reach shore in dories.

Become Captain of Record

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Interpretive Reconstruction, drawn to convey the vessel's era, type and general form. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

Leader was a Gloucester fishing schooner under John Cooney. Returning toward port after unfavorable fishing conditions, she encountered a sudden storm and grounded near Norman’s Woe on January 26, 1895. The crew abandoned in dories and attempted landings near Magnolia. A January 28 follow-up confirmed four deaths and recovery of all bodies, but conflicted with the first report on dory occupancy.

Vessel

Built: Not established
Builder: Not established
Yard: Not established
Material: Not established
Length: Not established
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Sail
Owners: Not established

Loss

Date: January 26, 1895
Cause: Grounding
Location: Ledge south of Norman’s Woe bell buoy, near Gloucester, Massachusetts
Water: Massachusetts Bay
Voyage: Fishing grounds off Gloucester → Gloucester, Massachusetts
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: 4
Master: John Cooney

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Not established
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: Not established
Accuracy: Position not established
Nearest: Norman’s Woe, Gloucester, Massachusetts
Region: Cape Ann & the Gulf of Maine

Named Norman’s Woe locality fits existing Cape Ann coverage; no position calculated.

Evidence

Overall confidence: Documented (75/100)

Construction, total aboard, survivor count, surveyed wreck position and surviving remains are not established; original newspapers have not been independently inspected.

R. Sheedy, Down to Sea — The Leader
Full January 26/28 1895 private transcriptions: same-morning 4:30 grounding near Norman’s Woe, John Cooney, snow/high seas, mistaken bell buoy, dory escape/Magnolia landings; follow-up confirms four deaths and body recoveries but revises dory occupancy. Original newspapers not independently inspected.
R. Sheedy, Down to Sea — 1895
January 26 entry records Leader wrecked south of Norman Woe Bell Buoy, four deaths and recovered bodies; full year index read. Private maritime database; original newspaper not independently inspected.