sail training cruises<\/a> in August, and is the Official Vessel of the State of Maine. But how much do you really know?<\/p>\nDesigned by William Hand, the 88-foot schooner was launched in 1921 at Hodgdon Brothers Shipyard, East Boothbay, Maine, for her master Adm. Donald MacMillan for arctic exploration in an admittedly old-world style\u201429 trips north of the Arctic Circle, four times wintered over, frozen in ice.<\/p>\n
Bowdoin<\/em> was built of stout stuff to do the job: she\u2019s planked with 2-3\/4\u201d white oak on 6\u201d double-sawn frames, which essentially makes a frame that is 6\u201d x 12\u201d. Bowdoin<\/em> is locust trunnel-fastened with 1-1\/2\u201d dowels driven through planking and frames into the interior planks. She displaces 66 gross registered tons. She\u2019ll do 12 knots under sail.<\/p>\nBowdoin\u2019s role at MMA is unique. She trains not only vessel operations majors who will skipper the high-tech ships of the future, but also the next generation of tall ship captains, who come from all across America to take a turn at the helm.<\/p>\n