Trunnels and Topsails

Preserving and Expanding the Shipwright’s Art in Maine - 2008

The early history of New England is a storylinked to sails and the sea. A broad arrow markaxed into a tree informed the early settlers thatthe King’s Navy had reserved it for theimportant task of ship construction.

Skills brought from Europe quickly adjusted toan abundance of natural resources. The forestsof Maine and the shipwright’s art helped form alegacy that continues to this day.

Many tools and techniques have remainedvirtually unchanged. Others have simply beenmotorized. Recent tools such asenvironmentally controlled workshops allownew levels of quality to be achieved.

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A legacy that began in 1869and continues today is theBoothbay Harbor Shipyard. Ithas endured because it washistorically able to modernizefacilities and apply traditionalskills to new opportunities.

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in the State of MaineShipwrightsResources in the Hands of Skilled Craftsmen

Boothbay Harbor Shipyard uses tools thatrange from mallets to marine railways to ensurewooden ships continue a productive life at sea.

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Boothbay Harbor has always beenhome to wooden ships and host toeven more that come to visit.The Boothbay Harbor Shipyard is ina position to provide a range ofresources. The availability ofmooring or pier access is furthercomplimented by marine railwaysand shops.Shipwrights and other related tradeskills can accomplish basicmaintenance tasks or applythemselves to imaginative solutionsto the most complex challenges.

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DISCOVERY was built to coincide withthe 400th anniversary of the JamestownColony in Virginia. She was the smallestof the three ships making that historicjourney to bring European settlersacross the Atlantic ocean.

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Created for a movie based on one of the world’smost famous mutinies, the BOUNTY came toBoothbay to be transformed into a ship worthy ofher namesake.

The scope of work required:• 7,000 locust wood dowels (trunnels)• 35,000 board feet of 3 inch thick oak and

Douglas fir for planking• 3,500 board feet of Douglas fir for decking• 30,000 board feet of oak for framing• 1,000 pounds of oakum for caulking

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Sailing offers lessons that aren’tavailable within the brick walls oftraditional schools. The HARVEYGAMAGE is one of the three schoonersoperated by Ocean ClassroomFoundation. Knowledge gained under sailcan help students navigate through life.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away fromthe safe harbor . Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore Dream Discover “

--Mark Twain

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Built in 1905, ALERA was thefirst Herreshoff NY 30. Thisaward winning restorationproject demonstrated thatshipyard resources can beapplied equally to both workingschooners and classic yachts.

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Scottish born William Fife III, one of thepremier yacht designers and builders inthe world, felt yachts should be both“fast and bonnie”. Built in 1929, BELLEAVENTURE was hauled out ofBoothbay Harbor on a 150-ton marinerailway and moved into a world ofcontrolled temperature and humidity.In addition to general maintenance,the replacement of over 4,800 bronzeplank fasteners will ensure manymore years of ocean adventure.

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Launched in 2006, VALORAincorporated multiplefeatures that go beyond herfishing and cargo carryingschooner heritage. ThisSpoondrift 36 was builtupside down using a mold forevery frame. Double plankingand an outside-ballasted keelcomplement the shoal-draftdesign of her hull.

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Living and working adjacent to nature’s best

Maine shipwrights are never far from the naturalbeauty of historic coastlines, forests and mountains.

Shipwrights in the State of Maine

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Photo Credits

Kevin Morris: Page 6- Top Right

Gretchen Gilliam: Page 6- Lower Left

Claudette Massey: Page 12

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Patti Irish:Page 3- Upper Right; Page 6- all except Lower Right; Page 7- Lower Left /Right; Page 14-all except Lower Left; Page 18- Upper Right, Middle Center, Lower Right; Page 23

Benjamin Mendlowitz:Page1-Lower Left, Lower Center; Page 10-All; Page 10; Page 11 - Bottom Left;Page 15-Upper Left, Lower Left, Bottom Right; Page 16; Page 19-UpperLeft/Right, Lower Left/Right; Page 20

Blake Hendrickson:Cover; Page1-Upper Left,Lower Center; Page 7- All; Page 2 -LowerLeft/Center/Right; Page 23;Page 24; Page 25; Page 26; Back Cover

David Stimson: Page11 - Left

Nathaniel Stimson; Page 19 - Illustration Upper Left

Mike McCue: Page 18

Ocean Classroom Foundation: Page 13- Upper/Lower Left ; Page 14

2008 Sponsor

Want more information onwooden boat restoration ornew construction?

01.207.633.3171 Phonehttp://www.bbhshipyard.comInfo@boothbayharborshipyard.com

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