Shenandoah Topsail Schooner
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The Shenandoah is a 108 foot square topsail schooner that is operating as a cruise ship in the waters of Vineyard Haven Harbor, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The Shenandoah is considered a legend in New England waters since she is the only vessel of her size and rig, without an engine, operating within the United States of America. The ship was designed by Captain Robert S. Douglas and was built mainly for the purpose of being able to share his love for sailing with as many people as possible. Captain Douglass offers different types of sailing trips to people of all ages from across the globe. Sailing on the Shenandoah gives passengers a taste of what it was like to sail on a large vessel in the 19th century with a coal-fired stove, no auxiliary power, and no running water.
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[edit] History
Captain Robert S. Douglas became interested in sailing during his youth. After he retired from the Air Force in 1958, he started working on an 83-foot windjammer called Mary Day. It was while working on this ship that his dream of building a ship of his own was created. The Shenandoah was the product of his dream, which finished construction and was first launched in 1964. Its design was based off of a 1850s ship Joe Lane, but the Captain made numerous changes himself in order to improve the power of the vessel. Ever since the Shenandoah’s launch in 1964, Captain Douglas has been the only one to skipper the vessel. His newest project involved rebuilding the Alabama, which now also offers Vineyard cruises for passengers as well. Captain Robert S. Douglas’s son, Captain Morgan H. Douglas, is the captain of the Alabama and has been sailing with his father on board the Shenandoah since he was born.
In order to begin his business of offering sailing trips on the Shenandoah, Captain Douglas started the Coastwise Packet Company. This office building was built on the shores of Vineyard Haven in order to set-up his new business. The Coastwise Packet Company is where trips are organized and where passengers meet prior to boarding the Shenandoah and the Alabama.
[edit] General Characteristics
Type: Square Topsail Schooner
Designed by: Captain Robert S. Douglas
Built by: Harvey F. Gamage Ship Building Co.
Length: 154 feet from jib boom to main boom end
Sails: 7000 square feet of canvas
Topmast height: 94 feet
Displacement: 170 tons
Hull: made of Maine oak
Deck: made of pine
Lower masts: 20 inches diameter, 2.5 tons each
Maximum speed: 12.5 knots
Maximum capacity: 30 passengers overnight
A range of one to four beds can be found in the 11 cabins below deck. It houses 9 crew members, a first-mate, a cook, and the captain. The ship contains two heads, a main saloon and a galley.
[edit] The Cruises
There are various types of cruises that Captain Douglas offers. These include Kids Cruises, Professional Tall Ship Cruises, and special cruises for the fifth graders of the Vineyard.
Kids Cruises
Several weeks through out the summer are set aside specifically for Kids Cruises. These are the cruises that kids (of both gender, ages 9-14 years) can sign up to take. Kids from all areas of the globe can partake in the Kids Cruise experience. The trip includes a 6-day, 6-night stay aboard the ship. During these trips, the kids learn what life for sailors was like in the 1800s without any modern conveniences. They become part of the crew as they wake up early to scrub the decks, participate in galley duty, and help raise the sails and anchor. They are taught how to coil the lines during sailing and how to tie various knots essential to sailing. Passengers can spend their free time as they please.
Many choose to spend their free time relaxing, jumping into the ocean from the riggings or playing cards with their fellow passengers.
The specific sailing destinations can vary from one Kids Cruise to another due to varying wind conditions. Possible destinations include Tarpaulin Cove, Cuttyhunk Island, Nantucket, and other islands around the Vineyard. When reaching these islands, the crew rows the passengers ashore so that they can spend time exploring these islands.
Since parents do not usually accompany their children during this trip, there are always 1-2 chaperones aboard. Kids Cruises board the Shenandoah at 7:00 PM on Sunday and sail until they must leave the ship the following Saturday at 11:00 AM.
Professional Tall Ship Cruises
During the weeks that the Kids Cruises are not offered, visitors to the Vineyard can take a day trip on the Shenandoah or experience a sunset sail. The day cruises and sunset cruises are both 3 hours long. The Shenandoah also can be chartered in order to host birthday parties, weddings, or corporate events. Week-long charters are offered as well.
Fifth Grade Cruises
Captain Douglas has been taking the fifth graders from the elementary schools on Martha's Vineyard for week-long educational sailing trips on the Shenandoah since 1993. Only fifth graders from the Vineyard are able to participate in these particular cruises.
