Meet The Historic Vessels Of The Maine Windjammer Association

Meet The Historic Vessels Of The Maine Windjammer Association
By: David Mills

ROCKLAND, MAINE - The Maine Windjammer Association has 13 Windjammers as members from Camden to Rockland, Maine. These Schooners range in size from the 46 feet long Mistress (Camden) to the beautiful three masted 132 feet long Victory Chimes (Rockland). It is an act of love and a need to preserve these historic sailing vessels.

Schooner is a fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel having at least two masts, with a foremast that is usually smaller than the other masts.

We would like to share information about all 13 vessels and the Maine Windjammer Association with you. Our report will start with the vessels that sail out of Rockland, ME.

American Eagle

American Eagle is one of 7 vessels that sails out of the port of Rockland, Maine. The American Eagle was built in 1930 in Gloucester, MA and is 92 feet long two masted Schooner. Her original name was Andrew & Rosalie. In 1992 she was declared a National Historic Landmark. Captain John Foss is the owner and operator of the 92 feet long American Eagle. Eagle sails from North End Shipyard in Rockland, Maine on trips from 4, 6 and 8 days. She is the last fishing Schooner of her type, a Gloucester Fishermen. One thing that makes her special is that she is the only Windjammer licensed for international sailing trips. Some stats on American Eagle you should know.

Captain: John Foss
Size: 92 Feet
Guests: 26
Built: Launched on June 2, 1930 in Gloucester, Ma
Sailing Trips: 4, 6 & 8 nights
For 53 years she was a working member of the famed Gloucester fishing fleet.

You can find more information on American Eagle and what makes her special at http://www.schooneramericaneagle.com/.

American Eagle being relaunched

Another View Of American Eagle Being Relaunched

One More View Of American Eagle Being Relaunched From The Same Angle

American Eagle Out Of The Cradle On Relaunching Day

Issac H. Evans

Issac H. Evans (formally Boyd N. Sheppard) is a 65 feet long two masted gaff-rigged topsail Schooner that sails out of Rockland, Maine. She has low sides, an elegant chipper bow and is owned & operated by Captains Brenda and Brain Thomas her current owners. Her sailing grounds range from Bar Harbor down to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. In 1886 Issac H. Evans was built by George Vannaman on the banks of the Maurice River that leads into the Delaware Bay. Evans has a very shallow draft that allows her guests to haunt the islands off the Maine coastline for seals, eagles, osprey and small harbors. It was in 1992 when she was declared a National Historic Landmark. As a Maine Schooner she is a member of the Maine Windjammer Association. Due to her small size she can carry 22 guests on 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 nights that can fit anyone's schedule. Children as young as 6 are welcome abroad this family friendly Schooner. Some stats you should know about Issac H. Evans.

Captains: Brenda & Brain Thomas

Size: 65 Feet Long

Guests: 22

She can carry children as young as 6 years old.

A National Historic Landmark

Built: 1886

Homeport: Rockland, Maine

Sailing Trips: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 nights

You can view more information and to learn more on their website at http://www.isaacevans.com/.

Schooner Heritage

The Schooner Heritage is one of a kind as she was designed and built by Captains Doug & Linda Lee. It took a year of planning and 4 years to build this beautiful vessel. Schooner Heritage was launched on April 16, 1983 at their North End Shipyard in Rockland, Maine. Attention to tradition makes the new schooner Heritage an authentic Maine coasting schooner. When it's time to hoist the anchor and raise the sails, the authentic 1921 deck engine can be called into service. The distinctive sound sings out as the gaff inches its way up the mast, sails unfurling ready to catch the wind again. Heritage has room for 30 guests who enjoy full headroom below deck, stairs instead of ladders that makes it easy to go below deck, skylights that allows sunlight below deck and a spacious galley for her guests to enjoy during mealtime along with a comfortable place to get away from bad weather. You can say Heritage is a very special vessel that her Captains had her guests in mind. Some stats about the Schooner Heritage that sails out of Rockland, Maine.

Captain: Doug & Linda Lee

Built: 1983

Homeport: Rockland, Maine

The Only Schooner to be planned, designed and constructed at their North End Shipyard.

Size: 95 Feet Long

Guests: 30

Sailing Trips: 3, 4, 5 and 6 nights

You can view more information on this special vessel at http://www.schoonerheritage.com/index.html.

These photographs above are special as they marked Schooner Heritage 28 years since her first launching at North End Shipyard.

Stephen Taber

Stephen Taber a two masted Schooner was launched in 1871 who resides in Rockland, Maine. The Taber is thee oldest documented sailing vessel in continuous service in the United States of America a 68 feet long classic coasting Schooner. She was built in an era when highly skilled shipwrights built fine vessels to be aesthetically beautiful as well as functional, she stands as a proud tribute to American craftsmanship. This historic Schooner can carry 22 guests on sailing trips along the Maine coast from 3, 4 to 6 night stays. Captains Noah and Jane Barnes keeps with history by having no inboard engine for Stephen Taber. A yawl boat is used when the winds have calmed and escaped her sails. In 1984 the Taber was added to the National Register of Historic Places and 1992 she was designated as a National Historic Landmark. 2011 marks the Stephen Taber's 140th year of sailing. No matter the age, the Stephen Taber appears to the public and guests as never aging as she is well maintained by her Captains/Owners and crew. Some stats on the Stephen Taber of interest.

Captains: Noah & Jane Barnes
Built: 1871
Length: 68 Feet Long
Guests: 22
National Historic Landmark
Sailing Trips: 3, 4 and 6 nights
The Stephen Taber was built as a coasting schooner in 1871 on Long Island, New York.

You can view more information by going to their website at www.stephentaber.com.

Nataniel Bowditch

Designed by William Hand, the Schooner Nathaniel Bowditch was built in 1922 in East Boothbay, Maine as a private racing yacht. In 1923 she was entered the Bermuda Cup under her original name, Ladona. She won the race in 1927. Her second owner renamed her Jane Dore after his daughter.

In 1942 she was commissioned by the US Coast Guard and assigned to Offshore Patrol to search for German submarines off New York Harbor. During this time she received two citations by the Commander of the Eastern Sea Frontier US Coast Guard for seaworthiness in poor weather.

In 1971 the Bowditch was purchased by American Practical Navigators, Inc. She was completely rebuilt for passenger trade. She was renamed Nathaniel Bowditch after the brilliant mathematician and author of The New American Practical Navigator.

The Bowditch in thee early 1970s was rebuilt for the windjamming trade. Her Captains Owen & Cathie Dorr sails Bowditch out of the coastal Maine town of Rockland on weekends, 3, 4 and 5 day trips.

Nataniel Bowditch is a 82 feet long two masted Schooner that can carry 24 guests on sailing trips along the Maine coast. Some interesting stats on the Bowditch.

Captain: Owen & Cathie Dorr

Built: 1922

Length: 82 Feet Long

Carries: 22 Guests

She served in the Coast Guard during World War II. She was rebuilt for the windjamming trade in the early 1970's.

Sailing Trips: Weekends, 3, 4 and 5 days

You can view more information on this beautiful Schooner by going to their website at http://www.windjammervacation.com.

Victory Chimes

Built in 1900 in Bethel, Delaware to carry lumber up and down the shallow bays and rivers of the Chesapeake, the 132' schooner Victory Chimes is the last three masted schooner on the East coast, and the largest passenger sailing vessel under U.S. flag.

Victory Chimes sails out of her home port of Rockland, Maine on 4, 5 and 6 night sailing trips. Her sailing grounds are Penobscot Bay and along the Mid-Coast Maine coast. She can carry 40 guests on her sailing trips. The Chimes has an open layout below deck for her guests to enjoy such as a companionway and spacious main salon where meals like supper are provided.

In 1997 the Victory Chimes was added to the National Historic Register as a National Historic Landmark. The Chimes also is on the State of Maine quarter.

The magnificent Victory Chimes -- the only original three-masted schooner in the famed Maine Windjammer fleet -- is the last of her generation, a noble reminder of the Age of Sail. With her sails pulling for all they are worth in the freshening breeze, this proud vessel speeds through the water... no smoke, no dust, no noise... nothing but the music of wind and sea. Regal in repose -- majestic under sail -- the Victory Chimes is truly a legendary lady. For more than three decades, her name has been synonymous with Maine Windjamming.

The Victory Chimes in my mind is a historic reminder that she is the last three masted Schooner of her kind around. It's great to see her pass the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and put sails up to catch the wind that will guide her. She is a special vessel that is well loved and maintained for her guests and for all of us to enjoy. Some Victory Chimes stats that sticks out.

Captains: Kip Files & Paul DeGaeta

Built: 1900

Carries: 40 guests

Length: 132 Feet Long

Is featured on the State of Maine quarter

National Historic Landmark

Sailing Trips: 4, 5 and 6 days

You can find more information on Victory Chimes on her website at http://www.victorychimes.com/.

That covers the great Schooners that sail out of the coastal Maine town of Rockland. It is now time to reveal the rest of the vessels that are members of the Maine Windjammer Association in the towns of Rockport & Camden.

Timberwind

The Timberwind served as a pilot boat before being converted to a cruise schooner in 1969. As both a pilot boat and windjammer, she has never left Maine waters. She was launched from Brown's Wharf on October 3, 1931, a National Historic Landmark. Her Captain/Owner is Bob Tessi who sails the Timberwind on 3, 4 and 6 day cruises along the coast of Maine. Following information is from her Captain Bob Tessi on schooner Timberwind.

Sailing aboard the Schooner Timberwind for a 3, 4, and 6-day windjammer cruises may be one of the smartest vacation decisions you will ever make! Your adventure begins in beautiful Rockport Harbor with the sounds of sea birds, and the scent of fresh salt air. From the moment you are welcomed aboard, there is nothing else for you to plan or organize. Away from the phones, faxes, emails, and traffic, you are invited to step back in time aboard this National Historic Landmark Vessel, as she sails along the sheltered waters and around the Islands of Penobscot Bay. An all-inclusive sailing adventure, meals are lovingly prepared on a wood burning cook stove in our galley to the delight of passengers who are treated to feasts of memorable proportions. Delicious foods presented with a passion for detail, and a traditional Maine lobster bake are a feature on every cruise! A native Maine windjammer, the Timberwind is the only pilot schooner sailing the coast of Maine. With no inboard engine, she sails in harmony with the winds and tides ... and as the saying goes, “Wherever we end up, its right where we want to be, and whenever we get there, we’re right on time”

Timberwind is 70 feet long that can carry 20 guests on wonderful sailing vacation through Penobscot Bay from Rockport, Maine.

You can read more about Timberwind and view photographs on her website at http://www.schoonertimberwind.com.

Schooner Timberwind during the 2010 Schooner Parade in Rockland, ME

The following are the wonderful windjammers that call Camden, Maine home. These windjammers range in size from the 46 feet long Mistress to the 95 feet long Angelique.

Lewis R. French

Built by the French brothers and named for their father, the schooner Lewis R. French was launched in April, 1871, in Christmas Cove, Maine. She is the last schooner remaining of thousands built in Maine during the 19th century. Due to some luck and love, the French has carried an assortment of cargoes for various owners around the Northeast for over 130 years! She freighted bricks, lumber, firewood, granite, fish, lime, canning supplies, Christmas trees, and now people.

She worked hard carrying freight until 1971, when she then spent 3 years being rebuilt for the passenger trade. Much of her hull was renewed with massive timbers of oak, pine, and fir. She still looks, feels, and sails much like she would have the day she was launched, and the French boys would be proud to see her sails drawing as she heads Downeast.

The French was proudly named a National Historic Landmark and has a large following. From folks that have sailed on her as a windjammer to old-timers who remember her when she carried freight, the French has touched many people. It is a truly unique experience to sail on a vessel that has been active since shortly after the death of Abraham Lincoln!

The French is still operated much how she would have been during the age of sail. She has no inboard engine, relying on 3,000 square feet of sail to propel her. She has four lower sails and two topsails. If the wind dies, a push from our yawlboat "Greyhound" will help her along. All the sails are still raised and trimmed by hand, and the anchor is manually raised each morning using our windlass. There are no engines on deck or below to spoil the serenity. The French is 101 feet overall, 65 feet on deck, with 19 feet of beam. She draws 7.5 feet with a full keel. A proven vessel in all conditions, she is a nifty and quick sailor, having won the Great Schooner Race many times. The French has also participated in recent Tall Ships gatherings in Boston.

The French is inspected annually by the U.S. Coast Guard, is outfitted with modern navigation equipment such as VHF, GPS and radar, and is in top-shape.

The history of Lewis R. French was used from her site at http://www.schoonerfrench.com/. Lewis R French in my mind is a reminder of the thousands of schooners that were built that now most of them have been lost due to lack of love and bad weather amongst other things. It is special to see her under sail as it brings you back to the day when schooners were the only way to move cargo and now guests. Captains are Garth Wells and Jenny Tobin who sails her anywhere from 3, 4 and 6 day trips.

You can read more on the 140 year young schooner Lewis R French at http://www.schoonerfrench.com/.

Angelique

The 95' ketch-rigged Angelique was built specifically for the windjamming trade in 1980. Patterned after the 19th century sailing ships that fished off the coast of England, the Angelique was built for safety, and offers the unique feature of a deckhouse salon.

Designed only for windjamming and built for comfort, Angelique is swift, snug, safe. Her deep draft hull and full keel assure maximum stability even in a "blow". Her steel and wood construction combine the 21st-century's highest safety standards and the authenticity of classic 19th-century English Channel and North Sea windjammers.

Angelique is a wonderful vessel to sail on as her Captain Mike & Lynne McHenry and the crew make you feel welcome well aboard. She sails from her homeport of Camden, Maine on 3, 4 and 6 day cruises the Mid-Coast, Maine coast and Penobscot Bay.

You can read more information on this vessel on their website at http://www.sailangelique.com.

Mercantile

The 78' Mercantile was built in Little Deer Isle, Maine in 1916 to carry salt fish, barrel staves, and firewood. The Mercantile became a cruise schooner in 1942 under the ownership of Frank Swift, the founder of the Maine windjammer trade.

Now, Mercantile is owned by Ray Williamson who is also Captain with Ann Williamson. She sails out of Camden, Maine and can carry 29 guests.

Mistress

A miniature version of the grander ships, the Mistress was built with a loyalty to traditional lines and materials coupled with an attention to modern amenities. Forty-six feet long, with just three double cabins (each with private head), she offers an intimate sailing experience.

Mistress was built in the same manner as Mercantile. She can carry 6 guests if you wanted an intimate sailing cruise.

Captains are Ray and Ann Williamson.

Grace Bailey

Built in Patchogue, New York in 1882, the Grace Bailey was engaged in the West Indian trade, and hauling timber and granite until 1940, when she started carrying passengers. This 80' coaster was the flagship for the original Maine Windjammer Cruise fleet. Grace Bailey can carry 29 guests on sailing trips along the Maine coast. Captain Ray & Ann Williamson sails Grace Bailey out of the coastal Maine town of Camden.

Grace Bailey is one of three windjammers that are part of the Maine Windjammer Cruises out of Camden, Maine.

You can read more about Grace Bailey and the other windjammers of the Maine Windjammer Cruises at http://www.mainewindjammercruises.com.

All the windjammers we have revealed are all different and special in their own way. They are also wonderful vessels to sail on. The final vessel that is a proud member of the Maine Windjammer Association is Mary Day.

Mary Day

Launched in 1962, the 90' Mary Day was the first windjammer to be built specifically with comfort, safety, and performance in mind. Carrying on the Maine shipbuilding tradition, she is the first pure sailing schooner built in Maine since 1930.

Mary Day can carry 29 guests on sailing cruises ranging from 3, 4 and 6 days out of Camden, Maine.

You can read more on the Mary Day on her website at http://www.schoonermaryday.com.

These windjammers are great for weddings, anniversaries, corporate parties, team building and family Reunions amongst just leaving the world behind. All you have to do is pick the windjammer right for you and when. Once you choice your vacation on a windjammer there is nothing else to do. You will have a great time on these windjammers as they are stable and safe with well trained Captains and Crews. They are also apart of the Maine Windjammer Association.

The Maine Windjammer Association was founded in 1977, which represents the largest fleet of traditional sailing schooners in North America. All 13 Maine windjammers are individually owned and operated by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains who work together to ensure the highest standards of safety, comfort and professionalism.

Guests who sail aboard Association vessels benefit from years of experience shared between captains who are committed to offering safe and enjoyable sailing vacations along the Maine coast.

Events put on during the sailing season are as follows.

Schooner Gam - Kick off the summer season with a windjammer gathering of the entire fleet! Relive the age of sail during this quiet rendezvous of more than a dozen 19th-century-style sailing ships. Location is determined by the weather of the day! Held the week of June 13th, 2011.

Windjammer Days - Participate in a grand sail parade through picturesque Boothbay Harbor. Majestic windjammers come from up and down the coast to participate in this exciting early-season event. Shoreside activities include music and fireworks. Held of June 20th, 2011.

Great Schooner Race - More than two dozen tall ships gather for an exciting all-day race in which guests may participate. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the Great Schooner Race, North America’s largest annual gathering of tall ships! Held the week of July 4th, 2011.

Maine Windjammer Parade - The entire windjammer fleet participates in an afternoon Parade of Sail past the mile-long Rockland Breakwater, providing spectators with stunning, close-up views of Maine’s fleet of tall ships. Festivities also include tours of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and Owls Head Transportation Museum flyover. Held July 15, 2011 this year.

Music Festival - Many of the windjammers gather midweek for the Sweet Chariot Music Festival on Swans Island where more than a dozen groups perform traditional music of the sea. Fleet also gathers on Friday night for live shipboard performances ranging from sea chanteys and blues to story-telling and folk. Held Week Of August 1st.

Camden Windjammer Festival - The fleet gathers in picturesque Camden Harbor for festivities reminiscent of the days when hundreds of coastal schooners lined the waterfront. Festivities include a parade of sail, flag-raising ceremonies, live music, dancing and fireworks. Held September 2nd & 3rd, 2011

WoodenBoat Sail-In - The fall gathering of the fleet takes place in Brooklin, Maine, headquarters of WoodenBoat Magazine and WoodenBoat School. Now in its 25th year, the event includes refreshments, live music, tours and a harbor full of historic Maine schooners. Held Week of September 12th, 2011 (Tues. Sep. 13th).

These are events that take place throughout the windjammers season. Each of the windjammers sail different themed trips throughout the sailing season.

You can read more about the Maine Windjammer Association by going to their website at www.sailmainecoast.com.

Other windjammers that are not apart of the Maine Windjammer Association are from Rockland to Camden, Maine. J&E Riggin is a two masted 89 feet long schooner sailing from Rockland, Maine. The Riggin is a National Historic Landmark and can carry 24 guests on sailing trips along the Mid-Coast Maine coast. In Camden there is Surprise, Olad, Appledore2 and LazyJack2. These vessels are day sailors that cruise the Penobscot Bay. You can get more information at the Public Landing in Camden, Maine.