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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!
Cruise News
photo courtesy of Reinhard Zollitsch
Points East magazine just published an article (pages 26-35) by 2013 shipmate Reinhardt Zollitsch, a very thorough report on an exciting cruise. While we have offered that trip every year for decades (and it tends to be full), we do come up with new ones, such as the six-night Memorial Day adventure boarding May 23rd. That time of year daylight lingers long into the evening and it's nesting season for seabirds. We're looking forward to seeing puffins, shearwaters, gannets, and petrels outside of the islands.
photo courtesy of Becky Hermanson
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
If you've sailed with us in the past few seasons you'll remember Logan and Gerard who will be back in May. From last year Mike is returning, filling Andy's boots at the woodburning cookstove in the galley. Olivia and Christa both bring experience on a number of schooners to their positions in the crew. Want pictures? Here are some food shots instead:
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.