Looking to the future

Here at the Dawson Moreland office, we've had more than a few queries from faithful followers of this blog as to what happens now that the Martha Seabury has been turned over to her 'over-the-moon' new owner Billy Campbell, and what's to become of her twin - hull #2.
In terms of the Martha, she returned to Nova Scotia from Rhode Island by way of a short stop in Martha's Vineyard, and just in time for the annual September Classic event here at Lunenburg. Since then Billy and his shipmates from the Barque Picton Castle have enjoyed some fabulous fall sailing and very soon the vessel will be hauled up for the winter here in Nova Scotia.
As for her twin, that schooner is actively for sale. From an exterior perspective, the hull is complete, caulked and painted, with a finished deck, deck structures, ladders to the below, rudder and steering gear. Her interior remains a blank canvas - the perfect opportunity for someone who wants a strong, swift and seaworthy vessel, appreciates traditional craftsmanship and wooden boats, and deserves the custom interior of their dreams. To learn more please click here.
Our goal from the beginning of this enterprise was to bring large-scale wooden boatbuilding - in particular, construction of 'fast and able' wooden schooners - back to the waterfront at Lunenburg so we're by no means done here. If you admire traditional vessels like these, and think it's valuable to preserve and pass on the skills and craftsmanship that go into building them, please help us to spread the word about the Twin Schooner Project and our new Lunenburg Schooners.
We'll do our best to keep you updated on developments with the Martha's twin, as well as new projects that come along.

Review of Martha Seabury's offshore performance

Photo by Paul Bracken

We asked professional mariner, Capt. Michael Moreland, to write a review of the first of the new Lunenburg Schooners to be launched, the Martha Seabury's performance during her maiden voyage from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to Newport, Massachusetts. In light of events, including the rescue of three men off Cuttyhunk, MA not long after this photo was taken and the work required to ready the vessel for showing at Newport, we decided to wait a few days to post it. Here it is:

"Sailing across the Gulf of Maine aboard the newly launched and rigged 50' wooden schooner Martha Seabury, we encountered all kinds of weather including light airs, calms, lumpy seas and, on the last day, wind that built to 25-30 kts and seas up to 10'.  

"It was here that I knew how amazingly seaworthy this small vessel she is and how stoutly built she is.

"We had her reefed down with double reefed mainsail, single reefed foresail and the stays'l, with 25 kts on the beam and she was galloping along at 7-8 knots, taking the large, steep seas on the beam without a worry.  The crew on the tiller only took the occasional spray and the lee rail only rolled under once or twice.  

"What I found with her in these conditions is that she is simply a very powerful vessel and feels and behaves like a schooner much larger that she is.  Her ample freeboard and healthy beam serves her well for any deep sea conditions.  Her sail plan balanced her out nicely but she still wanted to drive to weather, which was good to see, as that strong wind could have easily been on the nose and we would have had to beat to windward, which she could have done with relative ease.

"All in all I find the Martha Seabury to be an incredible deep sea voyager, as well as a handy, fun schooner to mess about coastwise.  Coming from a big ship sailor, I would feel comfortable to make ocean crossings and think she would be safe and manageable in almost any waters.  Her interior is quite comfortable, especially with the kerosene lanterns giving a soft glow off all of her beautiful assortment of woods, which make her the bulletproof schooner she is."

Captain Michael Moreland

Schooner Martha Seabury

Martha Seabury rescues three in Buzzards Bay

We're just today receiving details of a rescue operation carried out by the crew of the Schooner Martha Seabury as she sailed from Gloucester to Newport earlier this week. The crew, headed by Capt. Michael Moreland and including the vessel's owner Billy Campbell, Paul Bracken, Allison Phillips, Gabe St Denis, Dan Rutherford and Oliver Cote, is credited as saving the lives of the three young men rescued in Buzzards Bay. Here are excerpts from Capt. Moreland's official report:

September 10th, 2012 1930

 

The schooner Martha Seabury was underway, undersail in force 5 conditions and 2-3' seas, en route to Cuttyhunk Island, approximately 4 nm from the island.  The sun was just below the horizon and getting dark quick, when deckhand Allison Phillips spotted persons in the water waving the arms in distress.  They were about .5 nm away, and I immediately called to take in all sail and rounded up while starting the main engine.  

We motored up to the victims who were clinging to the top of an overturned 15' sailing dingy.  The three victims were in their 20's, with two in PFD's and one without one on.  It was quickly apparent that all three were hypothermic and low on strength and energy.  We called for them one by one to swim over to the schooner and we hoisted them aboard and quickly got them below decks were Allison Phillips began tending to them by removing their wet clothing and getting them wrapped in sleeping bags, as well as wool hats and socks.  Two of the three were violently vomiting seawater and were barely responsive.  Chief Mate Paul Bracken called the USCG on VHF 16 and began arranging a rendezvous to transfer the victims to get to shore....The USCG requested that we steam towards Wood's Hole, MA where they had deployed a 41' cutter towards us.  

Around 2015 we spotted the cutter and began comms with them and determined that we would heave to, and they would attempt to come alongside us in our lee.  It was quickly apparent that it was too rough for the transfer, even though the cutter coxswain disagreed, as the two vessels had very different rolling motions and damage to the schooner would have been unavoidable.  I agreed to quickly get one of the USCG medics onboard, with a touch and go maneuver, which was executed fairly well, and then immediately started steaming towards Cuttyhunk and calmer waters.  The medic onboard confirmed our assessment that the victims had stabilized and were in no immediate threat, and agreed that doing the transfer in calmer waters was appropriate as time was not a critical factor at this point.  At 2040, we got into the lee of a reef on the northeast side of Cuttyhunk, and the cutter came along side at which point the victims had much more strength and were easily transferred to the cutter.  The cutter crew and victims thanked us and we continued into Cuttyhunk harbour and got alongside for night. 

We are so very proud of, and thankful for, the efforts of the Martha Seabury's crew. To view a photo of them during dinner at a friend's home on Cuddyhunk later that night, please visit http://instagram.com/p/PdIqIwsiRa/*

Postcard from the Martha Seabury

Ah the wonders of the wired world, folks! Just received this photo of the crew of the Schooner Martha Seabury, with owner Ollie Campbell at the tiller, as they made their way through the Cape Cod Canal earlier today. And just look at those faces - are these not some of the happiest people you've ever seen?
The schooner spent last night in Gloucester after making the passage from Lunenburg to Massachusetts in roughly 48 hours. She is headed to Newport, RI where she will be docked in the Oldport Basin areas of the Newport International Boat Show. Be sure to visit us there!

Sea trials a success!

It was a labour (day) of love for the team of Lunenburg Schooners September 2 and 3 as they sailed the newly-launched Martha Seabury for the first time.
Aboard for the historic occasion was Dawson Moreland president Daniel Moreland, designer-builder David Westergard and owner Billy Campbell, among others. All were very pleased with the vessel's performance.
Then yesterday, Billy, his lovely new schooner and her crew, headed by Capt. Michael Moreland, departed Lunenburg bound for Gloucester and then on to Rhode Island where we will be exhibiting the Martha Seabury at the Newport International Boat Show September 13-16.
If you are in the area, please drop by and see us! We'll be in the Oldport Basin, at Oldport Dock M-10.

We've got sticks, baby!

Work aboard the Martha Seabury has continued at a feverish pace since her launching two weeks ago. The owner of this first of our twin schooners, the amazing Billy Campbell, is kindly allowing us to sail with him to Rhode Island where we'll attend the Newport International Boat Show Sept 13-16. It's a great opportunity to market the Seabury's twin sister (Ollie wants someone to buy her so they can race!) as well as future Lunenburg Schooners. But there's a ton to be done in the span of a few short weeks so every second counts.

Paul 'Jet' Bracken (shown guiding the mainmast in above) is working with Captain Moreland to outfit the Martha Seabury. There's been a ton of ordering - everything from liferafts to water casks - plus painting, rigging and sailmaking taking place. Arthur Dauphinee has made the blocks and moments ago, the vessel's masts were stepped with the assistance of crew from the Picton Castle and an incredibly talented crane operator. Rigging work can now begin in earnest with sea trials slated for next week.

What a day on the waterfront!

How to put into words the events of August 7th?
It's probably far easier to show you some of the pictures and video taken in the Dory Shop Boatyard as our team here at Dawson Moreland & Associates launched the first of our twin schooners, the beautiful Martha Seabury, yesterday.
Between 300 and 400 people turned out for this truly joyful occasion, joining company president Capt. Daniel Moreland, vessel owner, the incomparable Billy 'Ollie' Campbell, his shipmates from the Barque Picton Castle (her spars showing clearly in the photo above), local dignitaries and of course, our talented building gang (shown with Ollie below).

The vessel was christened shortly after the noon hour by Maggie Ostler, a friend and former shipmate of Ollie's, with a bottle of Jack Iron rum.

Then it was time to send her down the ways - a two-part affair as it turned out. But fetching up midway just added to the excitement as the call went out for all hands (and the fishing/tour vessel Eastern Points) to assist in pulling the Seabury the rest of the way.

Our sincerest thanks to all those who helped make this occasion possible whether with their talents or moral support. It had been 30 years since the last schooner was built on this waterfront when we laid the keels of the Seabury and her twin sister, as yet unnamed, in December 2009. Here's to many more launch celebrations, many more Lunenburg Schooners in the years to come! 

And now, on to the rigging...

For additional images and video, please visit The Dory Shop's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/dory.shop.1 or check out some of the media coverage at http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/hundreds-gather-for-launch-of-schooner-on-lunenburg-waterfront-1.906753 and http://ckbwnews.blogspot.ca/2012/08/video-martha-seabury-launches-in.html

Launch time!

The big day is almost upon us!
Next Tuesday, August 7, Dawson Moreland & Associates will launch the first of our twin schooners, the Martha Seabury, here at The Dory Shop.
The brief formal ceremonies (formal may be too strong a word!) will begin at noon, just ahead of the high tide. Actor/adventurer Billy Campbell, the salt-of-the-earth gent for whom this lovely schooner has been built, will be flying in from the set of his latest film to be on hand. And we're hoping for a big, cheering crowd of well wishers to share the day with us. So if you can join us, please do!
'Til then, a few more pictures from the boatyard.

How to weigh a schooner

Yesterday, in preparation for the launch of the first of our twin schooners this summer, we moved Billy Campbell's vessel, the future Martha Seabury, into her newly-built cradle.

The event - and let me assure you, when you move a vessel of this size around the boatyard, it truly is an event - also provided an opportunity to measure the boat's weight.

Our gang made a game of it, declaring their guesses as they adjusted straps for the lift. Not sure who won. If you play by Price Is Right rules (where you lose if you go over) I think it was Bub.

In any case, the boat weighed in at about 26,000 lbs - less than Dave thought but then that's a dry weight at the moment and it will help to make her fast!

Our thanks to the folks at Lawrence S. Veinotte Enterprises for their know-how and professionalism!

Below decks with Billy Campbell

Actor/adventurer Billy Campbell made a flying trip to Lunenburg on the weekend to help finalize below decks arrangements for his schooner.

Billy, who is currently filming season two of the hit AMC series The Killing (and whose character got shot in the season opener - gasp!), spent Good Friday travelling to The Dory Shop where he met with Dave and Capt. Dan. He also managed a brief visit with his excited shipmates aboard the Barque Picton Castle before boarding a jet plane for the return flight to Vancouver. He was due back on set Saturday morning!

The design for the below decks on Billy's schooner is very simple and open. There will be no real cabins here, but rather big bunks and settees that will make it a sociable craft to sail in. Blond woods and an open layout will keep things airy and well lit, and evoke the feeling of old-time fishing schooners.

He also wants to keep systems to a minimum. So water will be kept in barrels; there will be kerosene cabin lamps, hand pumps and so forth.

To walk you through: heading down the companion ladder, you'll have a fine stand-up galley to starboard and a navigation station and chart table to port; both immediately available to those on deck and ideal for offshore and island cruising. Forward of these, there will be two full length locker/settees that will double as bunks. We'll also be installing a sweet little wood stove to keep things cozy on foggy Nova Scotia (or Norwegian) evenings at anchor.

At the forward end of the cabin trunk, you'll have to duck around the varnished trunk of the bury of the main mast with a large double bunk on one side and two small bunks on the other. These will have curtains for privacy rather than partitions or hard bulkheads. Moving forward there will be a heavy duty work bench on starboard and an enclosed marine toilet and sink on port with full head room under the main hatch. Next there will be port and starboard lockers, the foremast and a V-berth up in the eyes of the hull.

Billy wants to keep the vessel's Hackmatack knees and double-sawn Osage Orange frames exposed, while the steam bent White Oak frames will be covered with a smooth Alaskan Yellow Cedar ceiling.

It's most likely the below decks in schooner two will be nothing like this one. And that's as it should be. After all, these are custom built boats and the aim is to give the customer what he or she is looking for.

In the case of Billy's schooner, the rule is plenty of light and air ~ two things that are good for both wooden vessels and those who go to sea in them.

Plugging away

Meanwhile, more video of Billy Campbell fastening the last plank in his twin schooner, the future Martha Seabury, last Saturday is now available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUT5-DcUCbo&feature=share Watch his technique with the rum!

These schooners be planked

A terrific crowd gathered at The Dory Shop Boatyard Saturday afternoon to help us put the last plank in our twin schooners.

As per usual, our boatyard celebration was accompanied by sub-zero temperatures but no matter! The crews of the Barque Picton Castle and the Tiare Taporo (also a project of Dawson Moreland & Associates) assisted in the preparation of several large pots of cider to keep our guests hands and insides warm. The gang also spread a carpet of wood shavings over the ground, providing the best no-skid you'd ever want to use and it looked pretty good too.

At the appointed hour, Dawson Moreland general manager Susan Corkum-Greek welcomed those in attendance to a brief formal ceremony that included remarks from Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney and Dawson Moreland president, Captain Daniel Moreland, as well as the listing of all the craftsmen who have worked on the twin schooners.

"I greatly admire and respect the skills and talents of the people who put this together," said Mayor Mawhinney. "They are showing us the wisdom of what you can do with wood in a town that cherishes the wooden buildings, the homes, the churches, the offices, the stores....This is part of our history and heritage, but I think for most of us also it's a very vibrant part of our future."

It was actor Billy Campbell, owner of one of the twin schooners, who did the honours, both fastening the final plank and dousing it with rum (see below).

Currently starring in the hit AMC series The Killing, which films in Vancouver, Billy said he is always grateful for an excuse to be in Lunenburg. He also announced that he is naming his schooner,to be launched later this spring, the Martha Seabury, after his late grandmother.

"I loved her very much," he told onlookers. "I wish she could see this."
So now the deed is officially done, the cider (and rum) are gone and Dave and his gang can proceed with finishing the hull. They're all hard at it down there this morning - well, all except for Dave who is apparently deep in the woods looking for spars.

Schooner owner checks in between takes

Billy Campbell, actor, sailor, adventurer and owner of one of our twin schooners, has been hanging out in Lunenburg these last few weeks filming a new movie.

The Disappeared, written and directed by Canadian-born Shandi Mitchell, is a psychological drama about six fishermen fighting to survive after their swordfishing boat goes down during the night in the North Atlantic.

The entire film takes place in the two small dories from which the men abandon their sinking ship. It’s being shot just off the coast here in Lunenburg Bay with cast and crew working long, often wet and tiring days on the ocean. But that’s just fine by Billy, who considers himself lucky to be able to work here.

“What’s not to like about this town?” says the actor, currently appearing in the hit AMC drama The Killing. “I go to work off the railway wharf, right between The Dory Shop [where he can see Dave and the gang working on his schooner] and the Barque Picton Castle,” on which he has made two world voyages – one of the few people beyond the Captain and the ship's cat to do so!

Billy’s also a great fit for the film, in which he plays Mannie, the vessel’s second mate. After two world circumnavigations, he’s certainly an experienced seafarer who’s also up to the physical task of rowing the nearly 20-foot, 500-pound Trawl dories in which the tale is set, not to mention working on the exhausting platform of a rolling ocean for hours at a time.

Filming has taken place in all manner of weather, including heavy wind and rain overnight last night. It wraps up this week and before you know it Billy will be headed to Vancouver to shoot season 2 of The Killing.

The Disappeared hits the big screen next year.