Sherman Zwicker

A salt-laced wind whispers secrets of the Atlantic. The Sherman Zwicker, a grand dame of the sea, rests here, not on the churning waves, but nestled against Pier 25 in New York City. The Sherman Zwicker is more than just a ship. She’s a living testament to a bygone era, a time when wooden schooners like her ruled the Grand Banks, hauling cod and salt across the Americas. Built in 1942 at the Smith and Rhuland shipyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, the Sherman Zwicker was the last of her kind, a saltbank fishing vessel still afloat. Her design, influenced by the legendary Bluenose, speaks of speed and resilience. Unlike her racing counterpart, the Sherman Zwicker was built for work, not sport, her powerful diesel engine a nod to the changing times. Imagine her in her prime, part of a vast fleet braving the tempestuous North Atlantic. Today, only a handful of these magnificent vessels remain, and the Sherman Zwicker stands as the sole survivor, fully operational and restored to her former glory. The Sherman Zwicker’s story is one of adaptation and survival. She transitioned from the bustling Grand Banks fishery to a life as a floating museum, educating and captivating visitors with tales of maritime history. She sailed up and down the Eastern Seaboard, a proud ambassador of the past. Now, the Sherman Zwicker has found a new purpose, a new home. Here in New York City, she continues her service, not as a fisher of cod, but as host to “Grand Banks,” a unique oyster bar perched on her deck. The Sherman Zwicker. She’s a ship, a museum, a restaurant, a symbol of resilience. She’s a piece of history, brought to life against the backdrop of a modern city.