Launched a month before the big stock market crash, drafted into submarine hunting duty during World War 2, and here three years back sailing past the sugar dome no more in Red Hook, it’s Shearwater, a product–like some of the new Moran tugs–of Boothbay, Maine.
Below, she exits the northern end of Arthur Kill, after no doubt returning from post-New York sailing season maintenance. Unlike Lettie G. Howard, also a New England-built schooner, Shearwater was never a fish boat. Oyster Bay of the Gatsby-era was her first port, and any oysters aboard were harvested by another vessel. I’m told there’s a spiral staircase leading below. I must make a point to sail aboard her next season.
Anyone know where she winters this year? Anyone have fotos of Shearwater as a gray-painted sub chaser?
All fotos by Will Van Dorp.
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December 10, 2008 at 5:24 pm
bonnie
Oh, look, Peacy visited you too.
And here I thought he was just so impressed by my stylish use of beautiful Blogger Standard Template No. 12! Phooey!
Anyways, I was going to say that I have also been meaning to go for a ride on the Shearwater, I hear she’s quite nice looking.
No speed demon though…
We used to have a slightly wicked (but entertaining!) captain on the Adirondack who liked to sail up to the Shearwater & sail a big circle around her…
December 10, 2008 at 9:38 pm
bonnie
Oh bummer. Looks like Peacy is comment spam. And here I was so excited that somebody had finally recognized the beauty and style of my artistic use of Boring Blogger Template #5! Ah, such sadness. Sniff.
OK, over it now.
Speaking of beauty & style, I’ve always been meaning to get myself out for a ride on the Shearwater too, just ’cause it’s always fun to get a good look at the inside of a nice old boat.
One of the captains on the Adirondack used to have a mean joke he liked to play. I don’t think I was ever actually crewing when he did it but the story was that the Shearwater isn’t very fast, and he’d sail the Adirondack in one big ring around her whenever he got a chance!