The ''Shenandoah'' is a topsail
schooner
A schooner ( ) is a type of sailing ship, sailing vessel defined by its Rig (sailing), rig: fore-and-aft rigged on all of two or more Mast (sailing), masts and, in the case of a two-masted schooner, the foremast generally being shorter than t ...
built in
Maine
Maine ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the Contiguous United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Provinces and ...
in 1964, and operates as a cruise ship and educational vessel in the waters of
Vineyard Haven Harbor,
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard, often simply called the Vineyard, is an island in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, lying just south of Cape Cod. It is known for being a popular, affluent summer colony, and includes the smaller peninsula Chappaquiddick Isla ...
, Massachusetts.
She is claimed to be the only schooner of her size and topsail
rig
Rig or RIG may refer to:
Objects and structures
* Rig (fishing), an arrangement of items used for fishing
* Drilling rig, a structure housing equipment used to drill or extract oil from underground
* Rig (stage lighting)
* rig, a horse-drawn c ...
without an engine in the world.
History
The ''Shenandoah's'' design is based on an 1850s ship ''Joe Lane'', but Captain Robert S. 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 weave, plain-woven Cloth, fabric used for making sails, tents, Tent#Marquees and larger tents, marquees, backpacks, Shelter (building), shelters, as a Support (art), support for oil painting and for other ite ...
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 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
__TOC__
The following are notable schooner-rigged vessels.
Active schooners
Historical schooners
* '' A. W. Greely'', originally named ''Donald II''
* '' Ada K. Damon''
* ''Albatross''
*
* '' Alvin Clark''
* ''America''
* '' American Spir ...
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