The ''Shenandoah'' is a topsail
schooner
A schooner () is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: fore-and-aft rigged on all of two or more masts and, in the case of a two-masted schooner, the foremast generally being shorter than the mainmast. A common variant, the topsail schoo ...
built in
Maine
Maine () is a state in the New England and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and nor ...
in 1964, and operates as a cruise ship and educational vessel in the waters of
Vineyard Haven
Vineyard Haven is a community within the town of Tisbury, Massachusetts on the island of Martha's Vineyard. It is listed as a census-designated place (CDP) by the U.S. Census Bureau with a population of 2,114 as of the 2010 census.
The area was ...
Harbor,
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard, often simply called the Vineyard, is an island in the Northeastern United States, located south of Cape Cod in Dukes County, Massachusetts, known for being a popular, affluent summer colony. Martha's Vineyard includes the ...
, Massachusetts.
She is claimed to be the only schooner of her size and topsail
rig without an engine in the world.
History
The ''Shenandoah's'' design is based on an 1850s ship ''Joe Lane'', but Captain Douglas made numerous changes to improve the power of the vessel. Douglas was the vessel's only
skipper since her launch in 1964, until Shenandoah was donated to the nonprofit organization FUEL in 2020. She is now captained by Ian Ridgeway.
The ''Shenandoah'' required extensive hull repairs and was dry docked in 2009.
General characteristics
Type: Topsail schooner
Designed by: Captain Robert S. Douglas
Built by: Harvey F. Gamage Ship Building Co.
Length (overall):
Sparred length: (from jib boom to main boom end)
Sails: of
canvas
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, shelters, as a support for oil painting and for other items for which sturdiness is required, as well as in such fashion objects as handbag ...
Topmast height:
Displacement: 170 tons (173 t)
Hull: made of Maine oak
Deck: made of pine
Lower masts: 20 inches diameter, 2.5 tons each
Maximum speed:
Maximum capacity: 30 passengers overnight
A range of one to four berths can be found in the 11 cabins below deck. It houses seven crew members, a first-mate, a cook, and the captain. The ship contains two
heads
A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals m ...
, a main
saloon, and a galley.
''Shenandoah'' gallery
File:Shenandoah crew sleeping in hammocks.jpg, The crew sleeping in hammocks
File:Shenandoah's sails.jpg, ''Shenandoah's'' sails
File:Jumping off of the rigging, Shenandoah.jpg, Aloft in the rigging
See also
*
''Alabama'' schooner
*
List of schooners
References
{{reflist
External links
The Black Dog Tall Ships
Schooners of the United States
Tall ships of the United States
Two-masted ships
1964 ships
Individual sailing vessels
Ships built in Maine
Tall ships
Maritime culture