Schooner Bowdoin Returns to the Arctic

Schooner Bowdoin in the ArcticThis 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.

The Bowdoin’s crew consisted of six professional mariners including Captain Peacock, chief mate David Stolz, Tyler Jupp, Kimberly Stinson, Graham McKay, and Tom Klodensky, in addition to nine Maine Maritime Academy students. Student crew members are pursuing courses of study in vessel operations and technology, marine biology, power engineering technology, and international logistics management. Captain Peacock noted the “value the fully immersive experience on the vessel offers students as a part of their maritime education.”

The voyage was covered by a number of local, state, and national media outlets including FOX, CBS, and SAIL Magazine, which will also publish a feature on the voyage in their October print issue.

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