The Gazela Oral History Project

Two of our shipmates, Nancy Linden and Becca Kurtz, have embarked on an oral history project on the history of our beloved Gazela Primeiro. As of this writing they are in Portugal, where they are meeting with several crew from her fishing days, including the engineer who brought her over to Philadelphia in 1971. Upon their return, they will be documenting her decades in this country.

This project captures something that cannot be rebuilt once lost: living memory. The voices of those who knew her as a working ship, and their experiences deepen the story we are able to tell, strengthening the historical foundation of everything we do today. If you have a compelling story to share, you can get in touch with them at history@philashipguild.org.

---

Hello, friends,

My name is Becca Kurtz. I am a tall ship sailor and Temple alumna whose avid

journaling habit has been repurposed this year to write a monthly letter for you, the very

good friends of a very old boat.

It is a banner year for the barquentine: 2026 is her 125th birthday, and she joins the rest

of the historic fleet in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the union.

With any luck, you’ll see us sail her to the Chesapeake this summer, another milestone

in her recent history.

This year is also Nancy Linden’s 42nd year volunteering on board and, next month, her

fifth trip to Portugal to compile a story of Gazela from the vessel’s hometown, former

crew, and fans. I am lucky to be tagging along as her happy companion and bewildered

scribe. We will be there for three weeks.

In Nancy’s words, “I am looking to you for structure...I mostly want to whoop and

holler and have ideas.” This newsletter will be a documentary effort of each good whoop

and every curious holler. It is my hope to include you in our amble across the pond and

the worthwhile musings that come of it, both hers and mine.

You will find me here at the tail end of each month of 2026, reporting back, as well as on

the PSPG’s social media accounts for the duration of our travels taking pictures and

sharing our movements down the Portuguese coast. For now, please enjoy a map I’ve

drawn up of our plotted stops (evidence of Nancy’s dedicated planning and impressive

social network) and write me back with anything you’re especially eager to know about.

I am delighted to be in your inbox.

Warmly,

Becca

Layman’s Corner:

A barquentine or barkentine is a sailing vessel with three or more masts characterized

by its square-rigged forward mast. All the masts behind are fore-and-aft rigged.