The MaineSail Magazine: 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 21^st century as they were in the 19^th and 20^th. 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 23^rd

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.