Winter work has finally wrapped up and spring outfitting starts next week:  two months readying for season #29.  Kindling for the galley stove is split, generator and pump are repainted and tuned up, the liferaft is back from annual inspection and repacking, there's a new washdown hose; all boring stuff that can be readied ahead of summer.  Johnnie and Brad are on deck sanding the main boom in anticipation of varnish coat #1.

First Day of Spring

Next Friday there's a big crane coming to take the masts out for their ten-year maintenance and inspection;  we'll add some pictures of that process in the next newsletter.  Next week here at the shipyard we start hauling schooners on our marine railway.  There are eleven on the schedule including the American Eagle.  Then finally we go sailing!

Old News 

Once in a while I do have to surrender the wheel.  Joe, John and Gus Piscitello are taking turns as they and their father did from 1945 to 1983 fishing with the American Eagle.  Here we are at the relaunching in Rockland in April 1986.

Penobscot Marine Museum

At the original launching on June 2, 1930:    Andrew Murphy, Captain Patrick Murphy, and Rosalie Murphy with flowers Penobscot Marine Museum

Crew's News

Summer Breakfast    photo courtesy of Ralph Smith

Lunch ashore     photo courtesy of Ralph Smith

          

Saturday night supper in Maine   photo courtesy of Ralph Smith

Postcards from shipmates 

           It must still be wintry if all the postcards come from the south.

The Lady Muriel "... the only Bahamian sloop built and raced by her crew."  We're pleased that the American Eagle is not the only vessel built/rebuilt and sailed by her crew.  That's one of the beauties of the Maine Windjammer fleet.

  Harvey, as above, has challenged us for yet another adventure outside of Penobscot Bay.   He'll be back aboard for our Downeast Trip June 13th.