This summer, the schooner Bowdoin, designated a National Historic Landmark and the official vessel of the state of Maine, returned to the Arctic for the first time in 16 years having successfully crossed the 70th Parallel. The Bowdoin was purpose-built for Arctic exploration and launched from Hodgdon Brothers Shipyard in East Boothbay in 1921. This was the Bowdoin’s 30th voyage to the Arctic and the third since the Academy acquired the vessel in 1988.
Captain Alexander Peacock, schooner Bowdoin Master, has charted a course of more than 4,500 nautical miles lasting eight weeks. The Bowdoin departed from Boothbay Harbor, Maine on May 29 and made port calls in St. John’s Harbour, Newfoundland, Nuuk Port and Harbour, Greenland, Ilulissat, Greenland, Godhavn, Disko Island, Greenland, Sisimiut, Greenland, and Mary’s Harbour, Newfoundland. After crossing the Arctic Circle at 66°32.33′, the crew explored fjords, witnessed calving glaciers, examined abandoned settlements, and weathered strong katabatic winds, crossing N70° on June 29.
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