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.

Great new shots from launch day!

Wow! We've just received the hundreds of photographs shot for us by Peter Zwicker, who covered launch day for us. Such great images! Here are some immediate favourites.

Maggie Ostler christens the Martha Seabury

Danie and Bub pounding in the wedges

Billy's dirty feet hang overtop the builders working to launch his schooner

Fore! (inspired by Danie's hat that makes us think of more leisurely pursuits)

Billy and his shipmates from Picton Castle awaiting lift off

First attempt to get her unstuck, using a zodiac

Picton Castle Chief Mate Sam Sikkema (foreground) and trainee Brody Fierce assist efforts from the dock

Puttin' their backs into it

She's afloat!

A beautiful sight!

Kisses from the deck of the Martha Seabury

Shot for TMZ?

A wet but happy man

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.

Finally, a new post!

You've asked, pleaded, even bullied a little, all for the sake of an update on the progress of our twin schooners. Our apologies! But the truth is our photographer is kind of funny with heights and given that most of the work has been taking place on the interior of Billy Campbell's schooner, the Martha Seabury, and therefore requires an up and over, she was waiting until there was lots to show (not to mention a nice dry day for footing!).
Here then are some new photos taken today in the Dory Shop Boatyard. More to come, plus an announcement on the launch date, soon!

Wait - it turns out Tony is not alone down there. Hello Katelinn!

This is for anyone who's ever complained about their cramped office or cubicle.

And back in she goes...

Meanwhile on deck...

.and in the boatyard...

Installing the bowsprit

Dave and the gang (meaning in this case, Bub and Gerald) took advantage of a particularly stunning spring day to install the bowsprit on the Martha Seabury.

A little adjusting and a smear of varnish...

some muscle work...

...and voila!

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!