Tuesday, June 24, 2008

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.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

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.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

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.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

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.