A friend told me how he had visited a restaurant in Gloucester with an amazing history. It was originally the Tavern owned by Howard Blackburn. Howard’s story is posted on the Cape Ann Museum website.

The story of Captain Howard Blackburn

---

A Desperate Journey

A native of Nova Scotia, Howard Blackburn was fishing out of Gloucester for halibut from the schooner Grace L. Fears in January 1883 when his life was forever changed—and his place in Cape Ann history sealed. While working on Burgeo Bank, a winter storm came up suddenly, stranding Blackburn and his crew mate, Thomas Welch, in their open dory. Blackburn lost his heavy fisherman’s mittens overboard and knowing that his hands would freeze, held them in a curved position that would allow him to slip his frozen hands back over the oars. Five days later—days virtually without food, water or sleep—Blackburn had rowed to the shore of Newfoundland. Welch had died on route. Blackburn was taken in by a family who sheltered him for the winter and tended to his injuries as best they could. His frostbitten hands and feet were soaked in a brine solution, then treated with poultices of flour and cod liver oil. Despite their efforts, Blackburn lost all of his fingers, both thumbs to the first joint and a toe.

Against all odds, come spring Howard Blackburn returned to Gloucester a hero, someone who had fought the sea for the highest stakes and won. As Blackburn was unable to continue fishing, sympathetic townspeople raised $500 to help him get back on his feet. With part of the money he opened a cigar store and soon after applied for a liquor license.

The Blackburn Tavern

The liquor license was granted in 1888, but an impatient Blackburn had eased into the saloon business in 1886. He continued to serve liquor during the years that followed, while the town periodically voted itself dry. Despite the problems that resulted from being a sometimes bootlegger, Blackburn and his business flourished. The story of Blackburn’s miraculous survival spread quickly, and the saloon was popular with townspeople and seafarers alike. Howard Blackburn was a bona fide hero, a larger than life character with great stories to tell.

— Cape Ann Museum

---

Halibut Point Restaurant

Sadly the restaurant is now permanently closed but in 2015, the staff was only too eager to tell stories about Howard Blackburn. In spite of loss of his fingers to frostbite but had no problem running his tavern. His cash register was still in operation at the bar.

Lunch was the standard fare of fish and chips, nothing special but the place had plenty of history and some quirky signage. Such as the following examples.

Rowing Club

As one might imagine, Blackburn’s story was legend to anyone who every lifted an oar and I noticed all types of rowing memorabilia on the walls including an official plaque from the Cape Ann Rowing club.

Permanently Closed

I can only speculate that the Halibut Point restaurant closed as a result of the pandemic lockdowns. I’m certain if Harold was still alive he would have figured a way to keep his tavern profitable as he did during prohibition.