Video: "Living History" The Maine Windjammer Project

Lewis R French built 1871 at the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse Rockland, Maine

Doug Mills
Maine Author Photographer
The Maine Windjammer Project
I spent yesterday morning in one of my favorite places in all the world.  The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, where my grandfather served as assistant keeper in 1912.  Who would have thought that I would end up working in the same place as my grandfather.  No I am not the keeper of the Rockland Breakwater Light, I am keeper of a different kind of light.  I am a keeper of the light of history.  My job is to preserve our history especially our sailing history and heritage for the generations yet unborn.

Stephen Taber built 1871

History is an odd thing, many of histories most important moments just slip past our eyes disguised as everyday life.  For hundreds of years sailing ships on the coast of Maine were so common and so numerous that no one payed them any mind.  Today only a handful of these beautiful craft are still sailing.  I stand in awe watching ships that were built in the 1800 and early 1900 sail past the old lighthouse, still making there way in this modern age, still making a profit for their owners!

Two of the ships that slipped past my cameras were built in 1871, the Lewis R French and the Stephen Taber.  The Isaac Evans , built in 1886, was as strong and graceful as the day she was built, as she sailed past on the morning breeze.  The last to come home was American Eagle, built in 1930.  She spent the first half of her life catching fish and transporting them to market.  Now she catches people and transports them on the vacation of a lifetime.

All too soon it is time to leave my retreat and return to the studio refreshed and inspired.

To learn more about The Maine Windjammer Project you can go to: www.mainewindjammerproject.com

Isaac H. Evans Built 1886

American Eagle built 1930

"Quiet Anchorage" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Quiet Anchorage" By Doug Mills

The Schooner Heritage in a quiet anchorage off Castine, Maine. [07-06-2011]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Entering Rockland Harbor" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Entering Rockland Harbor" By Doug Mills

Angelique entering Rockland harbor as the Harvey Gamage is leaving, Victory Chimes can be seen in the distance.[07-13-2012]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Red Sails In The Sunset" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Red Sails In The Sunset" By Doug Mills

Angelique on Penobscot Bay, red sails in the sunset.[07-04-2011]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Ghost Of Summers Past" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Ghost Of Summers Past" By Doug Mills

The 140 year old Stephen Taber sails past Owls Head, like a ghost of summers past.[08-22-2009]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Lewis R. French" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Lewis R. French" By Doug Mills

Lewis R. French, the oldest boat in the fleet built 1871, passes the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. [07-16-2010]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Age of Sail" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Age of Sail" By Doug Mills

Like a picture from the Age of Sail, J&E Riggin, Lewis R French, Victory Chimes and Isaac H Evans make their way toward Rockland. [07-11-2008]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Schooner Heritage" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Schooner Heritage" By Doug Mills

The schooner heritage of Owls Head Maine. [06-16-2012]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Rockland" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Rockland" By Doug Mills

A view of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse with the schooner Stephen Taber.[07-16-2010]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"1871" The Maine Windjammer Project

"1871" By Doug Mills

The Stephen Taber and Lewis R. French, both built in 1871, pass the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. [07-11-2008]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Outbound" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Outbound" by Doug Mills

Stephen Taber passing the Rockland Breakwater Light, outbound. [07-11-2008]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"Pen Bay Fog" The Maine Windjammer Project

"Pen Bay Fog" By Doug Mills

Isaac H. Evans and American Eagle with MV Rokord in a Pen Bay Fog.[07-16-2010]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"In The Wind" The Maine Windjammer Project

"In The Wind" by Doug Mills

Stephen Taber and Nathaniel Bowditch in the wind near Owls Head.[07-16-2010]

www.mainewindjammerjroject.com

"In A Quiet Island Cove" The Maine Windjammer Project

"In A Quiet Island Cove" by Doug Mills

Stephen Taber, Angelique, Isaac H. Evans and Heritage in a quiet island cove.[07-05-2013]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

Video Update: Tall Ship Timberwind Relaunch

After two weeks out of the water mid-season to repair a warn out rudder shaft the pilot schooner Timberwind was relaunched yesterday afternoon at the North End Shipyard in Rockland Maine.
For more information on this historic vessel or to book a week aboard the Timberwind you should visit: http://schoonertimberwind.com

Pilot Schooner Timberwind Relaunched

Doug Mills
Maritime Editor
RCN America Network

Rockland, Maine- After two weeks out of the water mid-season to repair a warn out rudder shaft the pilot schooner Timberwind was relaunched yesterday afternoon at the North End Shipyard in Rockland Maine.

"The Timberwind was built in 1931 on Union Wharf in Portland, Maine. She was built to the highest standards to insure the comfort and safety of the men who sailed her. The Schooner was built in Maine for Maine duty, and since her launching in 1931, she has never left Maine waters. Built to carry pilots to and from ships entering or leaving Portland harbor, she was constructed ruggedly using sturdy white oak frames and planks for seaworthiness through years of storms and icy Maine winters. As launched, she was bald-headed, had no bowsprit, and had her main cabin located aft with a large hold amidships.

Timberwind's original name was the Portland Pilot and she served as the pilot boat for the harbor of Portland from 1931-1969. Portland Pilot and her crews faced countless vicious winter northeasters when green waters as well as spray coming aboard froze to the rigging and had to be chipped off in order to maintain stability. She always met the challenge although in one particular bitter storm, on February 16, 1958 she suffered her only casualty and was thought lost herself.

For thirty-eight years, twenty-four hours a day and in all weather conditions, Portland Pilot was on call. When she wasn't on station fifteen miles offshore, she was in at the dock taking on stores and readying for her next shift. She was finally replaced with a steel power boat in 1969, but to this day she is fondly remembered by the men who worked on her out of Portland."[http://schoonertimberwind.com]

For more information on this historic vessel or to book a week aboard the Timberwind you should visit: http://schoonertimberwind.com

"North End Shipyard" The Maine Windjammer Project

"North End Shipyard" by Doug Mills

Pilot schooner Timberwind is relaunched at North End Shipyard in Rockland, Maine after making repairs to her rudder shaft. [07-14-2013]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"At The Old Snow Shipyard" The Maine Windjammer Project

rcn

"At The Old Snow Shipyard" by Doug Mills

Stephen Taber at the old Snow Shipyard site in Rockland. [08-10-2008]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"In Rockland Harbor" The Maine Windjammer Project

"In Rockland Harbor" by Doug Mills

The schooner Harvey Gamage in Rockland harbor with a good breeze. [7-13-2012]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com

"In The Wind" The Maine Windjammer Project

"In The Wind" by Doug Mills

The Nathaniel Bowditch in the wind near the end of the 2013 Great Schooner Race. [07-05-2013]

www.mainewindjammerproject.com