Congratulations to Leland and Cecily Parsons, the hearts and minds behind the restoration of well known fisherman Henry Bettencourt’s vessel called The Irene.
For more info, please call the Parsons at 619.507.5071.
To read more about the Irene, please click here
(The Irene, aka ‘the Emerald of Half Moon Bay’ is being returned to her former glory by Leland and Cecily Parsons at Pillar Point Harbor (619) 507-5071; they live in a boat moored at the harbor while restoring the boat. They are spearheading The Pillar Point Educational Fund, Inc. and efforts to re-launch the Irene.)
June, I have your book ” Half Moon Bay Memories; The Coastsides’ Colorful Past ” ; I bought it in a book store in HMB in 1985. I lived in Moss Beach, Montara, Half Moon Bay and El Granada from age 13 to about 33; but, my current husband, George Piegaia and 4 of our 6 ( now grown ) children were all born there on the Coastside. I just love the book and the beautiful old fotos. I was at my niece-in-laws home recently, she is also a niece-in-law to Elaine Teixeira; Elaine and I E-mail . I saw your newest book about Princeton at Betty Teixeira Tomberlin’s; but, didn’t have a chance to read it, nor get to the store to buy it yet.
Did you know about the on-going saga of the salvage of a very old family fishing boat, ” The Irene Bettencourt ” was to be dismanteled about 1 1/2 years ago; when a group formed, salvaged it; and, are now in the process of restoring and reburbishing her. The boat is up in dry dock on the pier in Princeton; and was the family fishing boat for three generations of Bettencourts; first owned ( possibly built ) by my two sons, Eddy and Steve Bettencourts’ Great-grandfather, Joseph Silva Bettencourt. I believe the last son to fish in it is George Bettencourt Sr., deceased husband of Caroline; and father to George Jr. living in HMB. Do you know of this family and their story ? Sincerely, Lorraine Nielson-Tomberlin-Bettencourt Piegaia.
Restoring the “Irene”: Emerald of the Bay
Have you seen “the restoration project” at the pier in Princeton? The old fishing boat, the “Irene” is being restored. When I was a boy, this was the “Emerald of the bay.” In those days there was no “Johnson Pier”. The breakwater jetty had not even been constructed.
The “Irene”–a double-ender–wasn’t the largest boat in the harbor but it was the most envied. In recent years the “Irene” had fallen into almost total disrepair. A gent named Leland, who was sailing around the world on his 60-foot sloop (poor devil,) took pity on the old “Emerald of the bay” and decided to restore the “Irene”. He’s formed a non- profit that accepts donations and is vigorously trying to restore this classic fishing vessel.
I was never a commercial fisherman but as a long time local, I did spend some time on the “Irene” with its owner George Bettencourt, now deceased. Some of my most treasured memories were spent with George on board the fishing boat named after his beloved wife.
My mom went to school with George and his brother Henry, who was best known as “Uncle Henry”. They were both such nice people; everybody loved George and Henry. Their sons, George, Jr. and Dave, still live on the Coastside.
On most days you can find Leland and his wife Cecily working on the “Irene” (in the parking lot near the sea wall in the harbor). I made a small donation and they told me that next time I visited I should wear my “grubbies” and have fun working on the project.
Reads: Pillar Point Educational Fund, Inc. Help Restore The Fishing Vessel IRENE…All parties interested in restoring and transforming IRENE (a fishing vessel for 3 generations) into a Harbor Touring Vessel, the proceeds from which would go into an educational scholarship fund for the children and grandchildren of commercial fishing families from Pillar Point Harbor,
Please contact: Leland & Cecily Parsons
619-507-5071
