BEST OF 2013: The Maine Windjammer Project

The Maine Windjammer Project was created to preserve a photographic record of the golden age of the Maine windjammer for the generations to come.

The golden age of sail is long gone, but, on the coast of Maine the golden age of the Maine windjammer is at its height. Imagine if you could know ahead of time the important moments of history and be there to photograph that moment. So many historic moments have gone by unrecognized by those present and only later realized the significance of that very moment.

There was a time when sail was king on the coast of Maine. The lime trade, granite & marble, lumber from virgin forests, ice and the fishing trades all employed sailing craft to move their products. The lime trade alone employed over 200 two masted schooners in Rockland and the surrounding coastal Maine towns.

Steam powered vessels were making some of the longer trans-Atlantic runs and the passenger trade up and down the coast. However, for coastal trade and the hundreds of islands located just off the coast of Maine sail is still king.

On any given day, the coastal waters would be filled with these two masted schooners delivering cargo to and from all the coastal towns. They are the lifeline for those living on the islands, delivering everything from lumber to butter and even your grandfather’s new Sunday suit.
Today only a handful of the sailing vessels remain. Many of them were simply used until they were worn out and replaced by a new one. During the Great Depression, thousands of these boats were just abandoned where they stood and left to rot.

There is, however a place where during the summer and fall you can still see these historic vessels sailing the clear blue waters the Atlantic much the way they have for the past 200 years. Penobscot Bay is located on the coast of Maine and on any given day in the summer you may be able to see as many as 15 or more of these proud sailing vessels, known as windjammers. Many of these boats have been sailing for over 100 years! They are truly living history.

The Maine Windjammer Project started in 2007. It is an ongoing project to document the modern history of the historic windjammers on the coast of Maine. Many of these boats are over 100 years old two are over 142 years, launched in 1871. This unique photographic history covers from 2007 to the present, sailing, haul out and the special events, such as The Great Schooner Race 2010 to present.

This extensive archive is available to maritime and American history museums and those doing research on these last surviving boats.

The Maine Windjammer Project: www.mainewindjammerproject.com

For additional information contact Doug Mills at: dougmills@shootmainestudios.com

The Maine Windjammer Project

The Maine Windjammer Project was created to preserve a photographic record of the golden age of the Maine windjammer for the generations to come.

The golden age of sail is long gone, but, on the coast of Maine the golden age of the Maine windjammer is at its height. Imagine if you could know ahead of time the important moments of history and be there to photograph that moment. So many historic moments have gone by unrecognized by those present and only later realized the significance of that very moment.

There was a time when sail was king on the coast of Maine. The lime trade, granite & marble, lumber from virgin forests, ice and the fishing trades all employed sailing craft to move their products. The lime trade alone employed over 200 two masted schooners in Rockland and the surrounding coastal Maine towns.

Steam powered vessels were making some of the longer trans-Atlantic runs and the passenger trade up and down the coast. However, for coastal trade and the hundreds of islands located just off the coast of Maine sail is still king.

On any given day, the coastal waters would be filled with these two masted schooners delivering cargo to and from all the coastal towns. They are the lifeline for those living on the islands, delivering everything from lumber to butter and even your grandfather’s new Sunday suit.
Today only a handful of the sailing vessels remain. Many of them were simply used until they were worn out and replaced by a new one. During the Great Depression, thousands of these boats were just abandoned where they stood and left to rot.

There is, however a place where during the summer and fall you can still see these historic vessels sailing the clear blue waters the Atlantic much the way they have for the past 200 years. Penobscot Bay is located on the coast of Maine and on any given day in the summer you may be able to see as many as 15 or more of these proud sailing vessels, known as windjammers. Many of these boats have been sailing for over 100 years! They are truly living history.

The Maine Windjammer Project started in 2007. It is an ongoing project to document the modern history of the historic windjammers on the coast of Maine. Many of these boats are over 100 years old two are over 142 years, launched in 1871. This unique photographic history covers from 2007 to the present, sailing, haul out and the special events, such as The Great Schooner Race 2010 to present.

This extensive archive is available to maritime and American history museums and those doing research on these last surviving boats.

The Maine Windjammer Project: www.mainewindjammerproject.com

For additional information contact Doug Mills at: dougmills@shootmainestudios.com

This Week in Naval History

This Week in Naval History

9 May 1926:MOH – LCDR Byrd & Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Boyd

On 9 May 1926, Lieutenant Commander Richard E. Byrd and Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Bennett report reaching the North Pole in their heavier-than-air-flight aircraft, both received the Medal of Honor for this event.

10 May 1960: USS Triton completed submerged circumnavigation

On 10 May 1960, USS Triton (SSRN-586), commanded by Captain Edward L. Beach, completed a submerged circumnavigation of the world in 84 days following many of the routes taken by Magellan. Triton’s cruise proved invaluable to the US. Politically, it enhanced the nation's prestige. From an operational viewpoint, the cruise demonstrated the great submerged endurance and sustained high-speed transit capabilities of the first generation of nuclear-powered submarines. Moreover, during the voyage, the submarine collected reams of oceanographic data. At the cruise's conclusion, Triton received the Presidential Unit Citation and Captain Beach received the Legion of Merit from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

11 May 1943: Invasion of Attu, Aleutian Islands

On 11 May 1943, in the Attu Operation, Task Force 16, commanded by Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, landed a force of 3,000 US Army troops of the 7th Division in the cold and the mist of the Aleutians. Organized resistance by the Japanese ended on 30 May. Only the third amphibious landing by the Americans during WWII, the logistics were studied for future operations in the Atlantic and the Pacific.

12 May 1938: USS Enterprise (CV 6) was commissioned

On 12 May 1938, USS Enterprise (CV 6) was commissioned. Notable service during WWII included: the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of Midway, the Guadalcanal Campaign, Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the Okinawa Campaign, where she was badly damaged by a kamikaze strike. Decommissioned in 1947 and after failed campaigns to make her a museum ship, Enterprise was sold for scrapping in July 1958.

13 May 1908: Navy Nurse Corps was established

On 13 May 1908, the Navy Nurse Corps was established by Public Law No. 115, though nurses volunteered on board US Navy ships beforehand such as during the Civil War on board USS Red Rover and during the Spanish-American War on board USS Solace (AH-2). Note, on 16 April 1947, Congress passed the Army-Navy Nurses Act, giving Army and Navy Nurse Corps members permanent commissioned rank.

14 May 1801: Tripoli declared war on the United States

On 14 May 1801, Tripoli declared war on the United States for not increasing the annual tribute paid as protection money to prevent raids on it ships. Within less than a week a squadron, under Commodore Richard Dale, set sail to protect American interests and arrived on 1 July at Gibraltar. The squadron ships were: the frigates -- President, commanded by Captain James Barron, Philadelphia, commanded by Captain Samuel Barron, and Essex, commanded by William Bainbridge. Notable events were the Burning of the Philadelphia, the bombardment and raids on Tripoli harbor, and the first U.S. Flag Raising on foreign soil by U.S. Marines at Derna. On 4 June 1805, Tripoli made peace with favorable terms to the United States. The treaty required no payment for the peace, nor did it provide for future tribute, but involved a ransom of sixty thousand dollars for the release of the prisoners from the frigate Philadelphia. The US also agreed to evacuate Derne.

15 May 1800: USS Essex arrived at Java for escort duty

On 15 May 1800, the frigate Essex, commanded by Edward Preble, arrived in Batavia, Java, to escort United States merchant ships. During her journey, she was first US Navy warship to cross the Equator and to first U.S. man-of-war to double the Cape of Good Hope, Essex completed her escort mission in November.

This Week in Naval History

7 Mar 1994: 1st orders for women on board a combatant USN ship

On 7 March 1994, the US Navy issued the first orders for women to be assigned on board a combatant ship, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).

8 Mar 1950: Operation Portrex

On 8 March 1950, the exercise Operation Portrex began. Operation Portrex was the first use of airborne troops in support of an amphibious landing and took place on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. The two-week long exercise evaluated joint service doctrine for the combined operation.

9 Mar 1862: 1st Battle between Ironclads

On 9 March 1862, in the first battle between ironclads, USS Monitor and CSS Virginia engaged in battle in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and ushered in a new era of war. Though no side could claim victory, the battle was conducted at close range; and after an exchange spread over four hours, Virginia eventually withdrew. Virginia remained a threatening force until she was scuttled on 11 May. Of the battle, Capt John A. Dahlgren stated, “Now comes the reign of iron and cased sloops…to take the place of wooden ships.”

10 Mar 1945: Nurse POWs flown to the U.S.

On 10 March 1945, the Navy and civilian nurses interned at Los Banos, Philippines as Prisoners of War were flown back to U.S. The Navy Nurses were taken Prisoners of War in early January 1942 and were later awarded the Bronze Star for their time in captivity.

11 Mar 1942 -- MOH -- Lieutenant John Bulkeley, USN

On 11 March 1942, Lieutenant John Bulkeley, Commander Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, departed Luzon for Mindanao with Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur and Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell in motor torpedo boats PT 32, PT 34, PT 35, and PT 41. The boats arrived at Cagayan, Mindanao on the 13th after a 560 mile voyage in heavy to moderate seas. For this action, along with other operations in the Philippines during the start of WWII, he received the Medal of Honor. Bulkeley later attained the rank of Vice Admiral.

12 Mar 1956: Attack Squadron 83 deployed overseas

On 12 Mar 1956, the first missile firing aircraft squadron was deployed overseas, Attack Squadron 83, which was equipped with F7U-3 “Cutlasses” armed with Sparrow missiles. They sailed aboard USS Intrepid (CVA 11) for the Mediterranean from Norfolk, Virginia.

13 Mar 1952: US Navy bombardment of shore batteries at Korea

On 13 March 1952, during the Korean War, USS Manchester (CL 83), USS James E. Kyes (DD 787), USS McGinty (DE 365) and USS Douglas H. Fox (DD 779) were supported by aircraft from Task Force 77 in conducting a bombardment of shore batteries on Kalmagak, Wonson, Korea. These batteries had become very active against ships conducting the siege of Wonsan and their rapidly improving accuracy demonstrated the installation of new fire control equipment. The batteries were silenced.

This Week in Naval History

14 Feb 1778: 1st official salute to U.S. flag by foreign govt.

On 14 February 1778, during the American Revolution, Continental ship Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones, received the first official salute to a U.S. Stars and Stripes flag by a Foreign Government (the French fleet) at Quiberon, France. To read more about Continental ship Ranger, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r2/ranger-i.htm

15 Feb 1898: USS Maine blows up on Havana Harbor

On 15 February 1898 , the battleship Maine blew-up in Havana Harbor and nearly three-quarters of the battleship's crew died as a result of the explosion. With the cause unsettled, contemporary American popular opinion blamed Spain and war followed within a few months. Maine's wreck was raised in 1912 to clear the harbor and to facilitate an investigation into the cause of her sinking. Her remains were subsequently scuttled in deep waters north of Havana. To read more about USS Maine, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq71-1.htm

16 Feb 1804: Burning of the Frigate Philadelphia

On 16 February 1804, Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, with volunteers from frigate Constitution and schooner Enterprise, entered Tripoli harbor by night in the ketch Intrepid to burn the captured frigate Philadelphia. Decatur's raid succeeds without American losses. England's Lord Nelson calls this "the most daring act of the age." To read more about the Burning of the Philadelphia, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/barb-war/burn-phl.htm

17 Feb 1945: MOH recipient LT Rufus G. Herring, USNR

On 17 Feb 1945, while shelling enemy positions in support of Underwater Demolition Team swimmers at Iwo Jima, LCI(G)-449 was heavily hit by Japanese counter-fire and went out of control. Despite very serious wounds that left him gravely weakened, Lt Rufus G. Herring took the helm, rallied his men, and kept the ship in action. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," he was awarded the Medal of Honor. To read more about Lieutenant Herring, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-h/r-hering.htm

18 Feb 1944: Amphibious Force secures Engebi Island, Eniwetok

On 18 February 1944, the Amphibious Force under Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill landed troops on Engebi Island, Eniwetok, securing the island before the end of the day. Eniwetok Island was secured on the 21st , with Parry Island secured on the 22nd. The remaining smaller islands of the Atoll were secured on the 23rd. To read more about USS Chanengo, which partook in the landing, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c7/chenango-ii.htm

19 Feb 1945: US Marines landed on Iwo Jima

On 19 February 1945, following pre-invasion Naval gunfire and aerial bombardment, U.S. Marines landed on Iwo Jima, securing the island on 16 March. The abundant heroism of the attackers was recognized by the award of no fewer than twenty-seven Medals of Honor, more than half given posthumously. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz described the invasion as one “where uncommon valor was a common virtue.” To read indepth about the Battle for Iwo Jima, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/battleiwojima.htm

20 Feb 1942: MOH recipient LT Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare

On 20 February 1942, while defending Lexington in a F4F "Wildcat" fighter, Lt Edward H . “Butch” O'Hare encountered an advancing formation of nine Japanese bombers east of the enemy base at Rabaul, New Britain. Alone and unaided, he repeatedly attacked the enemy aircraft and was credited with shooting down five of them, and damaging a sixth, before they reached their intended target. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, O'Hare was meritoriously promoted to Lieutenant Commander in April 1942 and was awarded the Medal of Honor. To read more about F4F “wildcat” fighters, please click here: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/f-types/f4f.htm