be quite an accomplishment. He sailed from Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1899, in the modified Gloucester Fishing Sloop, Great Western, and reached the city of Gloucester, England after 62 days at sea. Returning to Gloucester, Massachusetts, Blackburn continued to prosper as a businessman; but he still hankered for adventure. In 1901, he sailed to Portugal in the twenty-five-foot Gloucester Fishing sloop Great Republic, making the trip in 39 days. In 1903 he again set out alone, this time in the sailing dory America, but was defeated by bad weather. Blackburn also circumnavigated the Eastern United States by going down the Mississippi River and back up the Eastern Seaboard. The Sloop "Great Republic" and the Dory "America" may be seen at the Cape Ann Museum, in Gloucester. Blackburn died in 1932; his funeral was attended by many of the people of Gloucester. He was buried in the Fishermen's Rest section of Beechbrook Cemetery. Memorial race Today, the Blackburn Challenge is held annually. It is a 20-mile open-water race circumnavigating Cape Ann open to all human-powered craft. July 25, 2019 was the 33rd running of the Blackburn Challenge. Blackburn Tavern still stands The building that was the home of the Blackburn Tavern still stands at 289 Main Street in Gloucester. Vincent Cove that at high tide came to the back door of the tavern has since been filled in but the building is largely unchanged. References Howard Blackburn (1859-1932), Cape Ann Historical Museum Howard Blackburn, Open Book Systems Singlehanded Sailing, Richard Henderson; pages 10–13. A&C Black, 1988. Lone Voyager: The Extraordinary Adventures Of Howard Blackburn Hero Fisherman Of Gloucester Joseph E Garland External links The web site of the Blackburn Challenge race. 1859 births 1932 deaths American sailors Canadian emigrants to the United States People from Gloucester, Massachusetts Single-handed sailors Sportspeople from Nova Scotia