This is a 3/8" = 1' scale traditional half model of a fast and able Gloucesterman, winner of the 1892 Gloucester Fisherman's Race Hovey Cup, on the occasion of Gloucester's 250th Anniversary.

Captain Maurice Whalen sailed her in "The Race it Blew," with 35-40 mph winds, gusting up to 54 mph, carrying 80,000 lbs of mackerel, which he had not had time to unload upon arriving at the docks the night before the race.

Despite the big blow, the rivalry and pride of the skippers meant that none of the schooners sailing the 41 mile triangular course to Nahant, and Davis Ledge and back had reefed their huge sails. Authors Joe Garland and James B. Connolly and others tell the story of this race and the Belden's victory in apocryphal terms, saying the lead schooners had their halyards lashed aloft so "if any timid crew member tried that day to let any main halyards run, he would have to go aloft to do it."

Gloucester Daily Times reporter Arthur Millet wrote that race observers at Eastern Point had quite a sight when they finally could see the Belden flying towards the finish through the fog, rain, and wind-blown sea spray: "On she came, standing up like a church, great seas foaming under her bow and breaking over her to leeward." Many believed the Belden's mackerel ballast gave her the edge that day.

The Harry L. Belden was designed by D. J. Lawlor and was built by Moses Adams in Essex in 1889. She was 105' moulded length. The half model, including back board, is approximately 44" x 11". The model is made of mahogany and pine, in Story's trademark clean and simple style. The stations are penciled in on the deck.