Eleven Ship Joins This Year's 50th Windjammer Days Festival

_{Eleven Ships join the Windjammer Fleet at Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber’s 50th Annual Windjammer Days Festival!}

_{Boothbay Harbor, Maine (April 10, 2012)—Plans for the Boothbay Harbor Region’s 50th Annual Windjammer Day’s Festival are well underway and two new tall ships have been added to this year’s line up, bringing the historical fleet to a total of eleven! Scheduled to take place June 24 th - 27th 2012 (with the schooners in Linekin Bay on the 26th and in the harbor on 27th) this year’s 50th Annual Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days Festival will be one to remember}

_{The Amistad, Freedom Schooner, built at the Henry B. DuPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport Marina has been spreading awareness since her launch on March 25, 2000. Amistad's crew has worked with international agencies and organizations in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Europe, and West Africa in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.}

_{Also  joining the fleet  is tall ship Sherman Zwicker, a 142 foot wooden schooner built in 1942 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia by the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard for Zwicker and Co. The Sherman Zwicker was one of the first, and last of its kind to be built. It is the only original Grand Banks fishing vessel that is still fully operational, and seaworthy. During her early days, Sherman Zwicker was a popular fishing vessel who sailed the waters of the Grand Banks until 1968. The tall ship was also famed for salt cod fishing and production. Today the ship is a fully functioning travelling museum, docked at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine.}

_{The Windjammer Day’s Festival fleet is a group of eleven tall ships which demark the significance windjammers had in the functioning of society years ago. Sailing ships were the best way to travel the world and transport goods long distances. Boothbay Harbor was a center for American shipping and shipbuilding.}

_{“We are pleased to have a fleet of tall ships with so much historical value and cultural significance. All eleven have made many great accomplishments and have aided in spreading education, awareness and truly unique vacations. We welcome their arrival along with all of their great and varied accomplishments,” said Catherine Wygant, Executive Director at the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce.}

_{Herb and Doris Smith of Eastwind Sailing Tours will sail their handmade Schooner Eastwind during the festivities, just one of several ships they have built on their own. The Smith family has sailed around the world twice. Herb and Doris are the authors of Sailing Three Oceans and Dreams of Natural Places.}

_{Captains Doug and Linda Lee will sail their Schooner Heritage in the fleet. She is the only schooner that can be sailed with design and construction completed by the owners and captains right here in Maine.}

_{Captain Joe Tassi will sail topsail Schooner Lazy Jack which can carry up to eight sails when fully rigged. Lazy Jack sailed for 20 years from Massachusetts to Cuba in the 1950s as a renowned charter boat. During her heyday, she carried only passengers, but also arms, rum and cigars.}

_{Captain John Foss will sail his Schooner American Eagle, a deep draft vessel designed to be safe and stable in open water. This is a simple yet efficient design.}

_{The Ocean Classroom Foundation will sail in the fleet with Schooner Harvey Gamage. This ship was built in 1973 at the shipyard of Harvey F. Gamage along the banks of the Damariscotta River. Her lines were reminiscent of the coasting schooners, but her mission was very different. Some of the longest running and most successful sail training programs in the U.S. originated around this ship. In December of 1993, Harvey Gamage was purchased by a non-profit educational organization that evolved into the Ocean Classroom Foundation (OCF) of today. They will also sail in Schooner Spirit of Massachusetts, modeled after the 1889 fishing schooner Fredonia. Spirit of Massachusetts was built by her original owners for service as a sail training vessel for young people. She also served as a good-will ambassador for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1984 until 1987.}

_{Captain Bob Tassi will sail Schooner Timberwind on its maiden voyage to Windjammer Days. Timberwind welcomes every kind of family together in a safe, friendly, relaxing, and nurturing environment. With special Charter rates available, the Timberwind is the option for reunions, retreats, workshops, or school and scouting trips.}

_{Schooner Nathanial Bowditch will sail in fleet. She was originally a racing yacht built in East Boothbay, Maine in 1922. She won special honors during a race in Bermuda in 1923 and served in the Coast Guard in World War II.}

_{Last, but certainly not least, Garth Wells and Jenny Tobin will sail Schooner Lewis R. French. Built in 1871 in Christmas Cove, Maine, the 64' Lewis R. French is the oldest vessel in the fleet and the oldest commercial sailing vessel in the USA. After 100 years of carrying cargo, she was rebuilt for wind jamming in the early 1970's . She is pure sail and was designated a National Historic Landmark.}

_{To learn more about Windjammer Days and to track updates, visit the Chamber's website at www.boothbayharbor.com or find us on Facebook.}

_{Windjammer Days 2012 sponsors include Pinnacle Vodka, Downeast Energy, The First Federal Savings Bank, KeyBank, N.A., Bath Savings Institution, The First, N.A, J. Experience Maritime Maine, Edward Knight, Pepsi Bottling Company, Marshall Tents & Events, Cabbage Island Clambakes, Hannaford, Blake Builders, Pottle Realty Group, Steve & Ann Demeranville, Margaret Jones Perritt, Lyn & George Doran, Dale & Richard McCoy , Boothbay Region Land Trust, Maine Department of Marine Resources, Boothbay Region Y-Arts Chorus, Boothbay Playhouse, Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, Boothbay Country Club, Hodgdon Island Inn, Harbor Children’s Center, U.S Coast Guard, Boothbay Region Historical Society, Flagship Motor Inn, WHOM 94.9 and the Boothbay Register.}