Time to Go Sailing

There are few more delicious places in the world than in Boothbay Harbor, Maine in July, August and September . The crisp evenings and warm days allow the locals and visitors to enjoy the activities and the coastal waters to their fullest. Since you can't all be here with us to enjoy this experience, we want to share some images and video with you.

One special event in June is Windjammer Days, which includes a great view of tall ships, mostly two-masted schooners as they sail into Boothbay Harbor in the parade of sail. This year some of the schooners included: Alabama, American Eagle, Eastwind, Fame, Heritage, Lazy Jack, Lewis R. French, Nathaniel Bowditch, Rachel B. Jackson, Spirit of Massachusetts, Friendship of Salem and Spirit of South Carolina.

Here at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, we get pleasure from seeing many of these ships up close while they receive yearly maintenance. We have had many of these Windjammers here at the shipyard such as: Gazela of Philadelphia, Sherman Zwicker, Victory Chimes, Harvey Gamage and J&E Riggin.

As we gaze out at the harbor from the end of the dock, we often see magnificent yachts sailing like the Alera, which was restored here at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard. The extensive six-month rehabilitation of the Alera began the day after the yard celebrated the yacht's 100th birthday on January 3, 2005.

The following clip was taken of the Alera by MPBN. You can watch the complete Emmy award winning video on a local sailmaker, Nat Wilson from the Maine Experience called Carpe Diem.

National Park Service Interns

How are two architect students and one marine architect student spending their summer at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard in Maine?

Many hours have been spent measuring every part of the historic Ernestina. They began the measuring in New Bedord, MA before the ship left for Boothbay. This data combined with the data from a TOTAL, a laser tool, is being used to make line and 3D drawings of the Ernestina. Using this laser tool from the deck and land to get the topside and hull markings, a continuous surface is made to replicate the ship.
For more pictures and information see VIDEO.

Interns for the National Parks Service, Karolina Walichiewicz, from California, Caleb Reed from Kansas and Katie Whalen from New York have taken over a conference table and are busy on their computers replicating the Ernestina down to the tiniest detail.

These drawings will be used to get a full picture of what the ship is actually like right now in history. Todd Croteau, the Director of Historic American Engineering Record is supervising the interns, out of Washington DC.

This year the repairs of Ernestina will include the stem, foredeck, and planking above the waterline alongside the foredeck. There will also be temporary repairs to the main deck to halt the leaking.

When asked how it has been for them working at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, they were impressed with all the work goes on and what a busy place it is at the shipyard. Other comments were “It’s a great place to work” and "the people have been friendly and easy to work with.”

The work is expected to be completed this fall and will follow the standards set forth in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standard’s for Historic Vessel Preservation Projects and the U.S. Coast Guard. Harold Burnham, an 11th generation Essex Master Shipwright, is the state representative for the project.

Three Tugboats

Three tugboats owned by Cindy and Jon Smith are tied to the pier at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard.

Two new more powerful and fuel-efficient engines are being installed in the Lucinda Smith.

The steel hull of the Lucinda Smith was cut away and lifted to the stern to make room for a large crane to lift out the old engines and be replaced with two 1350 HP engines and German ZF5.61 gears.

Used for dredging harbors and construction, the Lucinda Smith, Eddie R and Cameron’s Point work along the Atlantic coast. A detailed article about the tugboats is in the Boothbay Register.

Watch a VIDEO on the Lucinda Smith Tugboat.

Friendship of Salem Docked at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard

The 171-foot full scale replica of a 1797 East India merchant tall ship, the Friendship of Salem arrived at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard on Monday, Jun 23 for Windjammer Days.
The Friendship of Salem, a three-masted schooner will be docked at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, and open for inspections on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This is your chance to get on board one of the eleven tall ships sailing into Boothbay Harbor this year for the Windjammer Days. Click here to see video.

If you would like to see it sail away, it will be leaving the Shipyard on Thursday.

Building a CHEROKEE at the Museum of Yachting in Newport

David Stimson, yacht designer and general manager from BBHS, has been in Newport now for about a month. Check the CHEROKEE blog for a detailed update on the progress of the CHEROKEE.
From the design of a 6-meter racing yacht that was published in the January 1928 Yachting magazine, Olin Stephen's esteemed career as a great yacht designer was launched. Olin apprenticed under Philip Rhodes and Rod, his brother worked at Nevins Yard in City Island, New York. At the age of 21, Olin entered into a partnership with the successful Yacht broker Drake Sparkman and together they launched Sparkman & Stephens, Inc.

On Long Island Sound, in the 1930's, one very popular yacht was the 6-meter racing yacht. Sparkman and Stephens, Inc (S&S) designed 39 of these yachts. Two of these 39 stood out as exemplary: CHEROKEE and JILL.

The Museum of Yachting is pleased to announce the building of a new CHEROKEE. which is part of an exhibit on the history of S&S. The yacht is being built from plans provided by S&S and will be launched in time to compete in the 6-meter World Cup—also being held in Newport.

Construction management is being lead by Maine's David Stimson, a yacht designer and general manager of the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard in Maine. For over thirty-five years David has designed, built and restored wooden boats ranging from catboats to larger-scaled passenger vessels.

According to the International Yacht Restoration School, (IYRS) this new build will rigorously conform to historic design and construction standards necessary to compete in the 2009 Worlds. This design is sanctioned by the 6-meter Association of North America as a replica. Only one copy of any given design is allowed to be built. This copy can be built only after it can be prove that the original yacht is no longer in existence.

Glenn-Geary - A Maine Classic Joins the Shipyard

Historically, sardine fishing played an important role in Maine maritime history. The shipyard recently acquired a piece of that legacy through the purchase of Glenn-Geary.
The Glenn-Geary towed J & E Riggin back to Rockland after its four month bow replacement.

Click here for a video on the Glenn-Geary and Captain Dave.

J & E Riggin - A National Historic Landmark is Repaired

In December of 2007, J.&E. Riggin was vandalized at her berth when severed lines caused her to be carried into harms way. Considerable damage was caused to her entire bow section. We took her under tow from Rockland to Boothbay Harbor and commenced work to repair the damage. Using our recently renovated 75 ton marine railway, customized blocking was placed under her hull by the shipyard’s dive team. Shore-based repair crews worked steadily to ensure that she was completed in time for the charter season of 2008.

J. & E. Riggin was built on the Maurice River in Dorchester, New Jersey in 1927. Charles Riggin
had her built for his oyster dredging fleet and named her after his sons, Jacob and Edward. Shewas always known as a quick, light air vessel and her speed was proven in 1929 when she handily won the only official Oyster Dredging Race in the Delaware Bay. She was used for oyster dredging until the 1940's, when the fishing regulations changed.

“I can finally report that our lady looks REALLY good. Thank you so much Boothbay Harbor Shipyard for your crew and your love of these beautiful boats.” Captain Anne Mahle (co-owner)

The Riggin's sparred length is120 feet, 89 feet on deck, 23 feet at the beam and draws 7 feet with the centerboard up. She is a bald-headed schooner with low sides and an elegant
spoon bow, uses a yawl boat for auxiliary power. She can carry 24 passengers on 3, 4, and 6 day sailing trips.