The ALABAMA is a 90' Gaff Rigged Schooner, designed by Thomas McManus and built by Pensacola Ship Building Co. in 1926. She displaces 150 tons and lofts 5000 square feet of sail. The Alabama served as a pilot ship in Mobile until 1966 when she was purchased by Bob "Black Dog" Douglas and his Coastwise Packet Co. The hull floated on a mooring in Vineyard Haven Harbor until 1995 when she was completely rebuilt in a massive three year effort by the G.S. Maynard Shipbuilding Co. This energetic effort was profiled in a long article in Wooden Boat magazine in 1998, written by Mr. Maynard.
Originally used as a moored bar pilot vessel, ALABAMA is now a fast and seaworthy example of yankee craftsmanship and traditional wooden shipbuilding. Completely refitted for the passenger trade, and equipped with twin diesels, Alabama now schedules day and overnight cruises and Vineyard Sound daysails. She is skippered by Capt. Morgan H. Douglas, third son of Captain Robert Douglas, who also helped in the reconstruction effort. The boat carries up to 49 passengers on day sails and 27 passengers overnight in her two spacious cabins. There is a crew of 6.
ALABAMA
Gaff Rigged Fore and Aft Schooner
(Gloucester fishing schooner type)
Designed by Thomas F. McManus
Built by Pensacola Ship Building Co. FL 1926
Rebuilt by G.S. Maynard Shipyard,
Vineyard Haven, MA. 1995 - 1997
90' Length at rail
21' Beam
12 1/2' Draft
126' LOA
150 tons displacement
5000 sq. ft. of canvas
Passenger capacity 27 overnight, 49 Daysail
Used by Mobile, AL Bar Pilot Assn. 1926 - 1966
Twin diesel powered ~ twin screw
The SHENANDOAH also operated by the Coastwise Packet Company out of Vineyard Haven is a 108' square topsail schooner with no auxiliary power. Designed by Capt. Robert S. Douglas himself, she was specifically built for the passenger trade in 1964. All materials and construction methods used were those of mid 19th century practices. The topmasts soar 94 feet above the water. There are 30 passenger berths in 11 cabins and she carries a crew of 9.
Shenandoah's overall length, jib boom to main boom end is 150 feet. Her hull is made of native Maine oak, except for her decking and ceiling, which are pine. A little over 100,000 feet of oak went into her construction. Her lower masts are made of West Coast fir, are 20 inches in diameter, and weigh 2.5 tons apiece. She is capable of speeds of 12.5 knots, and is often seen on the horizon in Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds moving at astonishing speeds without the drag of a prop.
Because she is the only vessel of her size and rig operating under the American flag, Shenandoah is now a legend in New England waters, and majestic to behold at full sail. She is not only renowned for her lines but also her superb hospitality and tasty galley. Although you may have seen her in white in decades past, her hull is now black, which keeps her hull timber warm and dry. She has no engines, so sailing with Capt. Douglas means being at the whim of the wind and tide. Despite her size, she is also remarkably agile and the Captain takes her deep into small harbors with surprising ease and control.
Captain Morgan H. Douglas, third eldest son of Captain Robert S. Douglas, has been skipper of the ALABAMA since the 2005 season. He has been sailing with his father on board the Shenandoah since birth and received his 100 ton U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license in 1999. A graduate of Tabor Academy and Gettysburg College, Captain Morgan is a renowned "Northeast Waterman" (an avid sailor, surfer, windsurfer and fisherman.)
Captain Robert S. Douglas owns Coastwise Packet Co. He has the longest standing schooner captain relationship in the windjammer business. No one else has skippered his SHENANDOA since its launching in 1964. Captain Douglas is highly regarded in maritime circles, primarily due to his success with the design and operation of Shenandoah and more recently for the rebuilding of the ALABAMA. Increasingly he is being used as a nautical historian of sorts and his personal collection of maritime items, artwork, and research materials is approaching museum-like status. A trip into the offices at Coastwise Packet is a journey through watercraft history. The Douglas boat shed, Corner Five Shipbuilding, is filled with boats from around the world of all ages, and a vast array of machinery to make and repair them. And while you are there enjoy the Black Dog Tavern.
|
|
