Monday, June 25, 2012

Back In Time at Rockland Harbor



Stephen Taber Passing Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.


 I think I have the best job in the world. On Saturdays during the summer and fall I lead a Tall Ship Photo Safari on the breakwater in Rockland, Maine, at the lighthouse where my grandfather, Albert Mills, was keeper 100 years ago. I ofter thing what this harbor must have looked like then. The lime trade was at it's height and Rockland was the center of lime production for the whole of the east coast of the United States. Millions of barrels of lime per year ware manufactured and shipped by schooner all up and down the east coast. The Lime industry in Rockland alone employed more than 200 schooners to move its product to market. In the early 1900s the schooner was the most efficient way to move any product up and down the coast and to the islands and river towns. Along with the lime industry and the moving of freight, lumber and stone, the Rockland also had a sizable fishing fleet. By the 20s and 30s most of these schooners had been replaced with steam and motor driven vessels.
Early Morning At Rockland Harbor.
Today of the thousands of these vessels which filled the harbors and waterways at the start of the 20th century there are only a handful remaining. Rockland is now home to seven of these historic vessels. On this overcast Saturday morning we are expecting 5 vessels including the 141 year old Stephen Taber. The rain has passed and the air is fresh and cool. There is very little breeze today and the water is calm and reflective.
On our way out the nearly mile long breakwater we are treated to the sight of local fishing boats ,lobster fishermen and sea birds. Each step seems to take us further and further from the fast paced modern everyday and deeper into a world ruled not by time and deadlines, but rather ruled only by the wind and the tide.
Today it is the Stephen Taber who is first to arrive. When this ship was launched in 1871 the Civil War had only been over a few years and the infamous Dodge city was only a sod roofed trading post on the edge of the west. The Taber was built as a coasting schooner in 1871 on Long Island, New York. The 68' schooner is the oldest documented sailing vessel in continuous service in the United States, and she was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Stephen Taber Sailing for 141 Years.
Soon the Isaac H. Evans and the Nathaniel Bowditch round the point at Owls Head and make for the harbor. The Evans was built in Mauricetown, New Jersey in 1886 and spent many years oystering on the Delaware Bay. Completely rebuilt for windjamming in 1973, she now specializes in kid-friendly sailing adventures; families with children as young as age six are welcome on any cruise. She also is a National Historic Landmark. The Nathaniel bowditch was built as a racing yacht in 1922 in East Boothbay, Maine. The 82' schooner won special class honors in the Bermuda Race in 1923, and served in the Coast Guard during World War II. She was rebuilt for the windjamming trade in the early 1970's.
Isaac H> Evans and Nathaniel Bowditch Pass The Owls Head Lighthouse.
As we watch American Eagle and Heritage appear out of the mists. The American Eagle was built in Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1930. For 53 years she was a working member of the famed Gloucester fishing fleet. She is also a National Historic Landmark. Our last ship of the day is Heritage,built in 1983 by her owners at the North End Shipyard in Rockland, Maine. Designed for the comfort of her passengers, the vessel was built in the tradition of a 19th century coaster.
Amarican Eagle
Another weeks safari has passed and now it is time to return to my world of computers and cell phones. But refreshed from the few hours I was able to spend in the past, now ready to face my fast paced modern life and looking forward to the time when I will once again be able to step back into the past for a few hours.




Stephen Taber In Rockland Harbor.


Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.


Looking South To Owls Head


Lobsterman Checking His Traps.




Nathaniel Bowditch


Isaac H> Evans As Seen From The Lighthouse Lantern.


Bowditch and Evans Enter Rockland Harbor.


Rockland Working Boat.




Heritage


Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse's "Pea Pod"



Home To Rockland.



Thursday, June 21, 2012

The First Tall Ship Photo Safari of 2012




The sky was overcast with golden sunlight filtering around the edges of the clouds, as we arrived at the old lighthouse, the same lighthouse were my grandfather served as keeper 100 years ago. The wind is causing the waves to break on the breakwater sending salt spray into the morning air.
Out of the distance comes the schooner J & E Riggin, built in 1927 as a oyster dredger, she has been sailing the cold blue Atlantic for 85 years. One quickly looses a sense of time and place in the presence of these historic boats that have sailed out of the past. However, they are just as much at home in the 21st century as they were in the 19th and 20th. Carried on the wind she glides past with almost no sound at all, like a ghost ship.
J&E Riggin
About a half an hour latter American Eagle and Heritage arrive together. What a sight to see these two majestic ships race to the harbors entrance. In her younger days American Eagle would race for the harbors entrance with a load of fish caught on the Grand Banks. It was the fastest boats that would get their harvest from the sea to the market first while the price was at it's highest. It is estimated that she brought over 40,000,000 pounds of fish during her fishing career!
The last ship of the day is Heritage. Heritage is the perfect combination of grace and beauty. Heritage is the newest ship in the fleet. She was designed, built and sailed by Captain Doug Lee. A new boat with very old blood lines.
All too soon it is time to return to my world of computers and cell phones. But I will return to the old lighthouse in Rockland harbor next week. I will be leading another Tall Ship Photo Safari on Saturday June 23rd
For those wishing to learn more about these amazing tours or to book a safari for yourself you can visit: www.mainephotosafari.com. Of email me at : dougmills@shootmainestudios.com.

J&E Riggin sails home to Rockland.

Heritage in the wind.

American Eagle

Heritage racing for Rockland harbor.

The Great Windship Heritage

American Eagle and Heritage in Rockland Harbor.

Home Port

Saturday, April 28, 2012