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The ALABAMA is a 90' Gaff Rigged Fore
and Aft Schooner, originally designed by Thomas McManus and built
by Pensacola Ship Building Co. Florida in 1926. Alabama displaces
150 tons and lofts 5000 square feet of sail. Used in Alabama by the
Bar Pilot Association, she served until 1966 when she was purchased
by the Coastwise Packet Co. and brought to Martha's Vineyard until
such time as was fit to sail her again. Her hull rested in Vineyard
Haven Harbor until 1995 when she was completely rebuilt, with some
design changes per Captain Douglas, 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.
Today in fine shape and form, Alabama is widely regarded as
the ultimate example of yankee craftsmanship and traditional wooden
shipbuilding. Originally used as a moored bar pilot vessel, Alabama
is now fast and seaworthy. Completely refitted for the passenger trade,
and equipped with twin diesels, Alabama now schedules day and
overnight cruises and also makes an ideal daysailer as well. 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.
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The SHENANDOAH is a 108' square topsail schooner with
no auxiliary power, thereby making her unique in the American schooner
fleet. Designed by Capt. Robert S. Douglas himself, she was specifically
built for the passenger trade. She has sailed carrying passengers
since the Coastwise Packet Company's beginning in 1964. Her hull form
and rig, anchors, and all materials of construction adhere closely
to 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. From performance she has shown she is capable of speeds of
12.5 knots, and should under ideal conditions do a knot or two better
than that.
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. As Capt. Douglas
says: "The bigger the vessel, the more fun it is to sail!"
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| Captain
Morgan H. Douglas |
Captain
Robert S. Douglas |
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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 Shenandoah 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 that stalls visitors and contractors
alike. The Douglas boat shed, aka 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. |
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 |
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| Square
Topsail Schooner |
| Designed
by R. S. Douglas |
| Built
by Harvey F. Gamage Ship Building Co., South
Bristol ME 1964 for Coastwise Packet Co. Inc.
of Vineyard Haven, MA |
| 108'
Length at rail |
| 23'
Beam |
| 11'
Draft |
| 152'
LOA |
| 170
tons displacement |
| 7000
sq. ft. of canvas |
| Passenger
capacity 30 overnight, 35 Daysail |
| No
auxiliary power |
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