May 1, 2017 — Cape Ann Ice owner Scott Memhard was one relieved man last night as he stood surrounded by fire trucks off Commercial Street and surveyed the wreckage of a wharf — originally reported as his — that had collapsed into the Inner Harbor some 20 minutes earlier.

“It sounded over the scanner like it was ours,” Memhard said, although Cape Ann Ice’s wharf, located two buildings over, is in sound shape.

More reports came in that the collapse was at the old FBI Wharf, which became the North Atlantic Fish wharf, before North Atlantic was bought out by Channel Fish Processing in 2012. There was also confusion about the actual address; fire Capt. Tom Logrande said the storage building was likely 80 Commercial St. but Channel lists its address as No. 88. 

Memhard said the collapsed wharf was leased from the Filetto family for storage by Channel Fish. LoGrande said Channel was aware of the wharf’s condition and had cordoned off it earlier in day, which Memhard confirmed.

“They knew it was at risk and were planning on moving to Braintree because of it,” said Memhard, shaking his head. “Then this afternoon they heard it creaking, and came and roped it off and moved some stuff out.” 

They heard it creaking over at The Pub at Cape Ann Brewery at 11 Roger St., too, where at about 6:30 p.m. a deck full of patrons were drinking in the warm spring air along with the cold local brews.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Times