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/*

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!

Who was that mast man?

Ol' Dory Plug has been a bit of a slacker in the photo department lately. Might have something to do with the fact the Picton Castle is getting ready to depart on her summer sail training program (get details at http://www.picton-castle.com/voyages/the-voyages/sail-this-summer-2012.html) But the boatyard gang's been busy all the same. Bub and Gerald are working to complete the exterior of Billy Campbell's twin schooner, Tony's working on the interior and Dave and Gabe are now working on the masts.

The masts for these 48-foot schooners are being fashioned from spruce trees, and are 50 feet in length and 12 inches in diameter. They're being shaped by adze and are traditional in every respect. Says Captain Dan, "There are 40 and 50-year-old schooners sailing around these parts still with their original masts." That says something about quality!

Look Ma, no jackets!

After months of sweaters, toques and gloves, we've been granted a sweet reprieve of insanely warm weather. Today, like yesterday, it is a startling 24 degrees Celsuis in The Dory Shop boatyard; that's around 75 F for our American friends. It's ideal weather for painting the easternmost schooner and caulking and sealing seams on her twin, the future Martha Seabury.

Of course every Lunenburger worth their salt herring is already predicting when the weather will turn and we'll be back to cool temperatures and maybe even a bit of the white stuff. Still we're all hoping that winter's back is broken and that we might just experience the highly rare (to the point of being fabled) thing they show in the Canadian Tire commercials. I think they call it spring. Here's hoping.

(please note: any typos in this entry were caused by the fact that it is difficult to type with your fingers crossed)

For inspiration

As the weather continues to flip between mild and wild, we offer a little inspiration and some assurance that sailing season will come again.

The image shown, of two Nova Scotia schooners slipping past Kaulback Head on their way out of Lunenburg Harbour, was painted by The Dory Shop's master builder Jay Langford. Jay's also worked on the twin schooners and is an established marine artist.

To view more of Jay's work, and see our daily updates about the twin schooners and the small boats being built at The Dory Shop, please visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000915108918

On to the second hull!

The hull of the stealth schooner (the one being built behind her twin sister and so hidden from view) is 99% complete and the gang has officially moved over to work on the one we generally refer to as "Ollie's boat."

Some snow overnight (too many Nova Scotians bragging about what a mild winter it's been have jinxed us!) but that didn't stop our gang from turning to this morning.

Multi-colour boats

Gabe made a comment about our "multi-colour boats" today. He was working with Dave to install one of the cap rails, which are fashioned from Purpleheart. Below him on the port side, Eva and Gerald were sealing seams with wax on the hull of the first of the twin schooners that we caulked - green wax no less! - and then applying another coat of grey primer to her bottom.

All this led to comments about the crazy, neon yellow sawdust that was created when we were fashioning the double sawn frames from Osage Orange. There was one day Bub looked like a character from a Scooby-Doo cartoon he was so covered! The Alaskan Yellow Cedar hull planking added its own unique hue, as did the Angelique in the bilge and the Wana on deck.

It sometimes seems a shame, as one of our Facebook friends recently pointed out, to paint over such a handsome selection of wood. But it is all part of the process. We selected these materials to create strong and durable hulls that can sail anywhere in the world; now we're treating and preserving them.

But the fresh paint does something else too. In covering the admittedly handsome natural features of the schooners' component parts, particularly here on the hull, it takes your focus away from the wood to instead highlight the beautiful lines of these boats.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

'Primed' for boat show

One of the twin schooners is now caulked and the gang has begun priming her bottom. Hoorah!

Meanwhile, we're primed to be joining Stevens Boatworks and Beta Canada in their booth at this weekend's Halifax International Boat Show to talk about the twin schooners and why we chose a Beta Marine diesel for our schooners. We'll be telling you more about our reasons for choosing a Beta/Kubota in coming posts (the engine should be arriving very soon!). And do come out to Exhibition Park for the show this weekend if you are in the area!

Longer days

Does a person dare say we've had a pretty good winter so far? Good meaning open, little you-know-what to contend with. Probably best left unsaid, huh? After all, it was only above freezing for a few hours today and we're a pretty superstitious lot hereabouts. What is clear is that the days are getting longer and our gang takes full advantage of that as they continue to caulk and fair the hulls of the twin schooners in the fading light of a late February afternoon in Lunenburg.

Testing Med's metal

It was more than a year ago that the team at Dawson Moreland & Associates, builders of these new Lunenburg Schooners, were contacted by New Hampshire-based blacksmith Med Chandler with an intriguing offer.

Med, whom we'd met at the WoodenBoat Show at Mystic in 2010, wanted to give us a full set of his hand-forged caulking irons to 'road test' on our twin schooners.

A former tall ship sailor who started blacksmithing at The Fort At No. 4 living history museum at Charlestown, NH in 2003 and honed his craft while working on traditional vessels like the replicas Discovery and HMS Bounty at the Booth Bay Shipyard, Med recently established his own forge.

He specializes in maritime work including traditional tools and hardware, but also makes handsome fixtures for land-based lives as well. Check out Ship's Coy Forge at www.shipscoyforge.com

Med and his wife Mo took some rare time off last summer to visit the twin schooners and The Dory Shop while attending the Lunenburg Wooden Boat Reunion. At that point, we'd used some of his irons to caulk the decks of the schooners. But the real test of his metal (see, I didn't mean mettle after all!) is taking place right now!

Making the most of mild weather

The twin schooner gang has been taking full advantage of the relatively mild weather since Shutter Plank weekend to fair the hulls, install the cap and rub rails and start caulking these lovely ladies. Dave's also hung one of the rudders.

Although we never know when the weather may turn, we do know that the local groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam, did not see his shadow yesterday and that's supposed to mean that we'll have an early spring. Just what "early spring" means in Nova Scotia is, of course, anyone's guess.