Schooner Stephen Taber

Stephen Taber was built in 1871 on Long Island, New York to transport cargoes of brick, coal, lumber, oysters and a variety of other cargoes. From 1871 thru 1920 Stephen Taber hauled freight around Long island sound and up the Hudson River. In 1936 she was brought Downeast rebuilt and used to haul lumber on Penobscot Bay. Stephen Taber was finally in 1946 once again refitted for the Maine windjammer passenger trade. She has become known as the "Good Luck Vessel" because of the caring attention she received from a series of owners through her many decades of service. The Stephen Taber is the oldest documented sailing vessel in continuous service in the United States and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1980 the Stephen Taber was bought by Captain Ken Barnes who sailed her in the Maine windjammer passenger trade for 25 years, today his son Captain Noah Barnes sails her home ported out of Rockland, Maine.

U.S. Brig Niagara's sailing season sunk

The U.S. Brig Niagara could spend its entire summer in Erie, due in large part to state government's $2 billion budget deficit.The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is studying a recommendation to discontinue the Niagara's sailing program, which includes visits to ports throughout the Great Lakes and public educational sails. The state-owned Niagara is a replica of the flagship that Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry used to defeat the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Foreclosure For Tall Ship Mystic

Foreclosure on a $2.5 million mortgage it made to the owner of the tall ship Mystic after the firm failed to make its monthly payments for more than a year.
The maritime attorney for the company that holds the mortgage, Lignum Vitae LLC of Holmes Street, said Monday the 170-foot-long, three-masted schooner will likely be sold to pay off the mortgage. The Mystic was built in 2007 in Florida and has been operating out of Mystic,CT. since.
During the summer months it runs two- to five-day trips along the New England coast for up to 34 guests. In October if operates out of Baltimore, Md., and then moves to the Bahamas Out Islands for the winter months. It can also carry up to 150 passengers on day sails and evening cruises.

Windjammer News March

Maine Windjammer Association March 2009 Newsletter

Tall ship Meerwald needs volunteers

Volunteers are needed to sail New Jersey's official Anyone who has ever wanted to set sail aboard a tall ship is invited to participate. The Meerwald's sailing season begins in April and there are many opportunities available for those who want to get involved.
Shipboard volunteers assist with many aspects of operating the vessel. They help present programs to students and passengers, conduct dockside tours and much more.
They need not live in South Jersey, as the Meerwald travels to ports throughout the region. Some only come aboard when the ship is nearby, while others travel from port to port with the crew. The Meerwald's 2009 ports of call will include Camden, Trenton, Burlington, Philadelphia, Beach Haven, Jersey City, Alpine and Cape May. Training includes traditional boating skills, ship safety, regional history and the programs presented on board.

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Schooner Bowdoin Arctic Cruise

The historic schooner Bowdoin will sail to Canada this summer to take part in a celebration of Canadian Arctic explorer Bob Bartlett. Bowdoin will visit 12 ports in Newfoundland and Labrador as part of a summer-long initiative called Celebrating Bartlett 2009. Bartlett is best-known for taking Adm. Robert Peary within 150 miles of the north pole. The Celebrating Bartlett event coincides with the 100th anniversary of Peary’s 1909 trek to the pole. The Bowdoin will serve as an example of the type of schooner sailed by Bartlett. It made 25 scientific expeditions to the Arctic Circle under the leadership of Adm. Donald MacMillan. The ship is now owned by Maine Maritime Academy.

ASGARD II

Unfortunately, the decision has now been taken by the Irish Government not to raise the Asgard II marking the end of an era for the vessel.

Privateer Schooner LYNX

Lynx is a square topsail schooner based in Newport Beach, California. She is an interpretation of an American privateer vessel of the same name from 1812. The original Lynx played its part in running the British blockade, assisting the then almost non-existent American naval forces, and defending the American coastal waters and merchant ships against the Royal Navy.The replica of the Lynx sailing today was designed by Melbourne Smith - International Historical Watercraft Society, based on historical data, and built by Taylor Allen and Eric Sewell at Rockport Marine, Rockport, Maine. She was launched on July 28, 2001 in Rockport, Maine, making her a very new addition to the tall ship community. Her port of registry is with Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Today, instead of fighting the British like her original counterpart, she serves as an education vessel. She teaches seamanship and history to those who step on her deck. Notably, the Lynx is known for her summer program where she sails to Hawaii with students. Along the way students learn about sail handling, navigation, seamanship, leadership and learning to face unforeseen challenges.