Maine Tall Ship Bowdoin In Portland Offering Public Tours

Monday, October 3, 2016

Maine Tall Ship Bowdoin In Portland Offering Public Tours

Photo: ©Doug Mills Shoot Maine Studios

PORTLAND, Maine--The schooner Bowdoin is the official vessel of the state of Maine, and the flagship of Maine Maritime Academy's Vessel Operations and Technology Program. In recognition of the Senior Arctic Officials (SAO) Meeting of the Arctic Council in Portland, the schooner Bowdoin, an ambassador of Maine’s proud maritime heritage and Arctic history, is sailing into Portland Harbor on October 4th at 4pm and docking at the U.S. Coast Guard moorings at Wright’s Wharf in Portland. Public tours of schooner Bowdoin will take place from 5-7pm.

Bowdoin was built in East Boothbay, Maine in 1921. She is the only American schooner built specifically for Arctic exploration, and was designed under the direction of explorer Donald B. MacMillan. She has made 29 trips above the Arctic Circle, three since she was acquired by Maine Maritime Academy in 1988.

Bowdoin will travel from its home port in Castine, Maine to arrive near Eagle Island in Casco Bay, summer home of Arctic explorer Robert E. Peary. Once it reaches the vicinity of Eagle Island a group of invited guests will board the vessel for the trip into Portland Harbor. Weather and on-scene conditions will determine the exact rendezvous point.

Photo: ©Doug Mills Shoot Maine Studios

Guests include Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., USCG (Ret.) and the U.S. Special Representative for the Arctic. He is leading the effort to advance U.S. interests in the Arctic Region, with a focus on Arctic Ocean stewardship, climate change, economic, environmental, and security issues in the Arctic region as the United States holds the chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 2015-2017.

“MMA acquired the schooner Bowdoin in 1988 for the purpose of training future mariners,” said Maine Maritime Academy President William J. Brennan. “In 2021, Bowdoin will proudly celebrate her first 100 years of service, and our goal is to have her in prime condition for her centennial celebration. With public and state support of the Bowdoin Centennial Campaign, we will ensure that the vessel remains an active and historically preserved vessel in perpetuity.”

Admiral Papp and President Brennan will be joined by two Arctic Youth Ambassadors from Alaska as well as fourteen Maine students from Baxter Academy for Technology and Science in Portland who sailed aboard Bowdoin from Castine.

When Bowdoin docks in Portland at 4pm it will be met by members of the Arctic Council who represent countries from across the globe. Admiral Papp and President Brennan will make brief remarks once the vessel is docked.

Public tours of schooner Bowdoin will take place from 5-7pm.