As the first weeks of this New Year wind down it brings with it more than a fresh start to another year and one less thing between now and sailing season. After 37 years under the guiding hand of Capt. John Foss the American Eagle has a new captain, her 92-year career that has brought her from the wharfs of Gloucester, to the offshore banks, to a beautiful little shipyard in Maine is adding a new chapter.
I've met many of you, but if I haven't I would like to introduce myself as the next Master & Steward of the Schooner American Eagle; Capt. Tyler King. I am very proud and excited to continue to be a part of this vessel's incredible history and share the beauty of the New England coast and this amazing vessel with all our guests and friends.
We have a very exciting schedule in store for the coming year; here is a little breakdown of a few things to look out for each month this season:
May
The season begins! Our 3-night trip right over Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to get underway. Most of our 3-nights land over weekends this year so it could be a bit easier to find a little time to come sailing.MM
June
The season starts to pick up steam with a new chance to learn lots of little known history of Penobscot Bay and our New England coast from our friend and long-time crew member Sarah Collins on our 5-night Hidden Traces of the Past trip. We then meet up with the rest of our Windjammer Association fleet for our annual Schooner gam, a great chance to see us all together for the first time this year. We also have our talented watercolor artist Carol Douglas back to show us more ways to capture the beauty in all our coastal days, a superb way to learn new skills in a unique setting. We will then be returning to Boothbay Harbor for their annual early summer events, fireworks and a parade of sail are just part of the warm welcome we receive every year.
July
As the summer sets in, it will see us battle our fellow fleet members with wit, good humor, and plenty of laughter during the 6-night Great Schooner Race trip to see who can get the best of the other with the help of our guests and tacticians. We will then have a visit from our very talented friends Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee of Castlebay to bring the music of the Isles of Scotland and Ireland and many other Celtic creations from past, present, home and abroad that much closer. Next, we return to the Canadian Border on our 7-night Downeast Trip to see a cruising ground not many venture to with its stunning geography and incredible wildlife. We’ll especially keep a look out for the killer whale that was spotted down that way this past summer.
August
As the pace of summer slows and the breezes follow suit, the sunny days and warm evenings make a truly unforgettable time to be out on the bay away from the hustle and bustle ashore. We will start the new month heading back to the Swans Island music festival, which is a 5-night trip this year. A chance to see music from all over brought to a coastal village, to genuinely explore a unique island community.
Another new addition to our schedule this year is our Hiking and Island Exploration trips. We have 2 of them this year a 4-night and a 5-night. A unique chance to spend a bit more time exploring some of the places in our cruising grounds that are almost impossible to get to without our lovely vessel, giving a bit more focus to the uninhabited islands and little known places in Penobscot Bay and beyond. Although, we will certainly not be able to resist a perfect sailing day on our way to a new destination, should one undoubtedly arise.
Then it is homeward bound as the Schooner and I head home to Gloucester for our annual 9-night Gloucester Schooner Festival trip. We will have some incredible offshore sailing, see if we can find some whales along the way, and Capt. Foss and I will try our best to bring the Esperanto Cup back with us once again.
September
The days become crisper and the nights cooler as the summer season winds down, a phenomenal time for some lively sailing as the trees begin to turn. We will gather again as a fleet for our 6-night Wooden Boat Sail In, one last chance to see us all together this year, as we fill the evening with fleet-wide fun and camaraderie. Carol Douglas is back for another 4-night Watercolor Workshop, aimed at the colors of fall and capturing the turning of the seasons in all their glory.
October
The long evenings and brisk mornings amplify the comfort of cozy cabins and warm drinks. With the quiet admiration of the seasons as we watch our coastal home prepare for the coming winter. After last goodbyes we put our schooner to bed, with her cover on and everything neatly stowed away, we can begin the winter work to welcome everyone back again for the next year.
We have quite the busy year ahead of us, with much more in store than I could ever put to paper....or email rather.
If you look closely at our schedule, Captain Foss will be joining us for 5 trips this coming summer to continue to share his incredible knowledge and unfathomable experience with us all.
With such an exciting season ahead I am greatly looking forward to sharing it with you all. Please call our office with any questions and as always booking early to get just the spot you wish is never a bad idea.
All the best and a very Happy New Year from all of us here in the office,
Here’s to 2022!
Photo courtesy of Fred LeBlanc
Cruise News... The Midwinter's calm
And so the never ending list gets longer, lots to do, paint, and tinker with before we welcome our guests back in 5 short months.
A look forward from just about as far back as you can get. A token of excellence to whomever can date this picture. Roughly.
In the cold dark days of winter we always think of sunnier warmer days that have past and will come again. Here are some moments from last season to remind us all the chill does not last forever.
Looking north from Calderwood Island towards Cape Rosier at the western entrance to the Eggemoggin Reach.... oh! and the J& E Riggin is out making the most of the not so much breeze of that particular afternoon.
These photos courtesy of Ralph Smith
Meanwhile! This is what we were up to while the schooner swung quietly at her anchor. A first rate lobster feast with an enviable view, good company, a quiet afternoon and we would never forget the pie!
Yet another example of what comes out of our wonderful galley, from fresh bread, chowders and stews to roasts and deserts. Our menu is never the same and always utilizes the amazing local produce and products each unique part of our season has to offer.
Looking back a bit farther, we had quite the neighbor in Gloucester again this year. The magnificent Schooner Columbia which looks fast standing still and is quite literally in a class by itself. We'll see them all again this year when we head homeward in August.
Crew's News
Mr. Asher has found himself spending Christmas in South Carolina aboard the Harvey Gamage as her Chief Mate and shipkeeper. Seen here brushing up on his federal light lists: Holiday Edition.
A nice neat Jib furl with smiles all round. All of these lovely people are enjoying their winters, up and down the coast.
Capt. John's MWA Retirement Party
The Maine Windjammer Association hosted a small retirement party for Capt. Foss, to honor his incredible career as one of its early members. Stories from the decades mixed with the warmth of the woodstove against the December chill with new faces and old made for a very enjoyable evening.
A gift that is much more useful than a plaque, to add to quite the collection.
The seine boat on it's way back from exploring the lagoon in Winter Harbor
tThe phone keeps jingling and as always Shary and now I are happy to answer any questions that may arise, either by phone or email.
