Days 51-52, August 7-8 -- Two More Lay Days in Shelburne -- Zero NM

It was blowing 30 to 40 knots the first day and raining pretty hard and rather steadily the second. The schooners did not race in that wind and we did not go anywhere either. Chores, repairs, and I visited the three little adjacent museums, three buildings of one museum.

One dealt with the building of Shelburne dorys. The town was known for making thousands of them from which men fished for cod. They are still making them and you can have a fifteen footer for only about $5K Canadian. Then you can keep in shape by trying to row it.

Boats in progress showed the steps of the construction.

Next was a historical museum with artifacts of the region's past. And finally a former store, with home and militia room above. The militia was formed to protect the town against the threat of raids by the US Navy during the War of 1812. This was not a "great" museum experience but a nice effort by a small town to show off its history. Well worth the price of admission which included the tour: $10 Canadian.

Kim, on the right, in "Loyalist" costume; her family has been here since the 1780's. She was my personal and informative docent on a tour of the neighborhood. No one else took the tour so I had her all to myself. She explained the architecture,

original builder and purpose (and repurpose) of each structure.







On the way back, I stopped at the schooner "Voyager", tied to the fuel dock.

Her owner, Loch, invited me aboard. Gaff rigged, all wood, she has been around the world and was rebuilt recently in the far East.

Loch, a New Yorker, from Brooklyn specifically, keeps her in Maine but wants to move her to Martha's Vineyard, which has a large number of schooners. Voyager's length at the waterline is 39 feet, comparable to that of ILENE, but her overall length, including generous sweeping bow and stern, is 51 feet, compared to ILENE's 43. A very beautiful boat. I loved the gold leaf covered carved decoration aft of the howser.

She is very well maintained.
The second day the schooners raced in the rain.

This recently built replica named Columbia, after her namesake, which raced and lost to Bluenose, the boat pictured on Canada's postage. The original was lost off Sable Island (not Cape Sable). So much bigger than all the rest, Columbia is seen here after crossing the finish line long before any of her competitors. This is a very expensive boat. You can see the yellow foul weather jacket of a person standing amidships.
Dinner with Bill and Sandy at Charlotte Lane, a fine dining experience in every way.