Historic Fisherman's Shanty before "The Perfect Storm", Nantucket Island
This photograph was made in 1991, the summer before "The Perfect Storm" was to hit in October and essentially change this scene forever.
This old fisherman's shanty is right on the main harborfront in the town of Nantucket. Countless thousands of visitors must have looked at this scene and wondered: who is the fisherman that owns it, and what is he like?
I never met him. The word around town was that he was the last of the old breed of fisherman, independent as all get out. The island and the town became ever richer right around him, while he continued to putter his way along as a classic New England fisherman.
In this photograph, his shanty leans somewhat to the right. In October, "The Perfect Storm" of the book and movie hit the island, and the heavy surf ripped away the gear and supporting lumber, leaving only the building proper. The old fisherman has since passed on, and donations are being sought to preserve this historic fishing shanty.
Photo location: Old North Wharf, Nantucket Harbor, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.
