Fairhaven
Fairhaven, Massachusetts, USA
In Sailing Alone Around the World, Slocum describes how he was invited to the area with the offer of a boat: “Come to Fairhaven and I'll give you a ship. But… she wants some repairs." This is where he came to take his friend up on his offer.
Key places of interest
Cooke Memorial Park
This public park in Fairhaven is the main site of remembrance for Captain Joshua Slocum. It was here that the first Slocum monument was unveiled in 1958. The location was chosen due to its proximity to the field where Slocum worked on the Spray.
Slocum Monument
This monument was erected in 1958 by the citizens of Fairhaven with the support of the Joshua Slocum Society International. It matches the monument that was later installed on Brier Island. The second plaque below was added by the Centennial Committee.
Poverty Point
Poverty Point
Steps away from Cooke park and the Slocum monument is the site of where Joshua Slocum worked on the repairs to the derelict oyster boat, Spray. This painting depicts Slocum working on the boat. The artist is Charles Henry Gifford and it is dated 1889. It is currently stored at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Archives.