photo courtesy of Bill West


Schooner American Eagle Newsletter

April 2016 

 
In This Issue
Cruise News
Crews News
Galley News
Pictures from Away

Ken Martin photo

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Hard to believe we'll be under sail in less than a month; exactly four weeks from this morning.  That must be why the whole crew is over the side on paint floats with four colors in hand. Sails on next week, maybe.

Cruise News



Still room on some trips, combined with local events, a whole season of lobster picnics , all dog approved by Shary's office assistant as shown both in contemplation . . . 



and in action......
 

Food on the floor is fair game.                                                  
 

 
Crews News

We were on the railway for about a week this month.  There's a lot of schooner to love.  Between the five of us in the spring crew and two guys putting on two planks, the job was done for another year.






Chris the deckhand/carpenter built this excellent chicken run type gangplank..twice.

and not all the paint went on the schooner 



 
 
And our little John Deere skid steer got some attention, too.   
Galley News

Sarah the galley hand contributes to outfitting more than just a cheery disposition, a depth of interest in New England history that belies her tender years (that ought to set her ears a burning), and a can do attitude. She brought these to coffee break and they didn't last long.



Home-made Thin Mints


Wafers
1 1/4 c. flour
6 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 c. plus 3 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 egg
3 Tbsp. shortening
3 Tbsp. water

Sift together all dry ingredients, then add liquids.  Stir until well-blended.  Mixture should be a thick dough the consistency of clay.  Roll out dough on a floured surface to about 1/16" thickness and cut with the shape of your choice.  (A small spice jar cap works well.)  Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350° F. for 10 minutes.  Cookies should be crisp when cool.

Coating
1 16-oz. bag semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. shortening
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract

Melt chocolate, shortening and peppermint in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 10-15 seconds.  Dip each cookie in coating (chopsticks work great for this) and place on waxed paper sheets to cool.  

Makes about 100-125 if cut in about 1" circles.

 

Postcards from Away and Long Ago

 


 Yes, it was my birthday this month and above is a card from a dear friend picked up at Marks and Sparks in London (made in China)

 

maybe next year?

 

 

 

Now this is a real birthday present; a nice clear picture of the schooner American being built in Essex, Massachusetts in 1921

 

 

And here she is outward bound from Gloucester during her fishing career.  These two images were gifts from Capts. Doug and Linda Lee. The handwriting on the back is definitely Charlie Sayle's, who made a study of these vessels before the war. He provided some notes and advice for rebuilding the American Eagle, including the schooners Capt. Murphy had commanded before he had ours built in 1930.

 

 

 

 

Here's my shot of the schooner American hauled out in New Jersey in the 1970's. She is now sleeping with the fishes off Cape May.  Her sister the L. A. Dunton survives at Mystic Seaport.


 

  

  

 

 



photo courtesy of
Darryl & Norma Forgione



See some of you aboard next month, when we start season 31 on a working fishing schooner with a deck load of fun, great galley turnouts, and as striking a cruising ground as can be found anywhere!



     John and the crew


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 Schooner American Eagle
P O Box 482 
Rockland, ME  04841
(800) 648-4544