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The schooner Elsie was built in 1910 by Arthur D. Story. She was the last great ship built for the Atlantic Maritime Company of Boston, and became, out of Gloucester, one of the big money-makers of the salt fishing fleet. She was also a formidable contender in the International Fishermen’s Cup Races.

Captain William Forbes was in command when the Elsie left on her maiden voyage in May 1910. She returned from St. Peter’s Bank almost three months later with 286,000 pounds of salt cod, the banner stock of the season. The Elsie had a number of captains for the Atlantic Maritime Company. Her last captain, Alden Geele, broke all records in the salt fishing business with her.

In 1919, her registry was transferred to a Nova Scotia firm, and she sailed under the British flag until 1921 when she returned to Gloucester. In May of that year, with Captain Geele at the helm, the Elsie picked up the shipwrecked crew of the schooner Esperanto, the U. S. contender in the International Fishermen’s Cup Race. With the loss of that great champion, the Elsie and several others entered an elimination race off Cape Ann. An easy victory there made the Elsie the new defender, beginning a great racing career, including valiant efforts against the Bluenose, the pride of the Nova Scotians.

In 1934, after again being sold to a Newfoundland firm, the Elsie brought a cargo of herring to Gloucester. On the return trip in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, she began to leak and opened up forward near the stem. Despite steady pumping for 9 hours, the captain and crew were forced to abandon ship. In heavy seas and a strong north wind, they rowed for 48 hours before finally arriving at St. Pierre.

The sinking of the Elsie ended a brilliant 25-year voyage.