Here we see the coastal schooner Angelique making the southern turn into Great Cove, followed by the Stephen Taber and Lewis R. French.
These are three of a dozen Maine windjammers that paraded in Great Cove Tuesday, September 10. They came for the 33rd Annual WoodenBoat Sail-In and evening party at the WoodenBoat School campus.
The red- (bark-tan-) sailed Angelique, out of Camden, was launched in 1980 and is 130 feet long overall. The big-flagged Taber, out of Rockland, is 110 feet long, and the gray-hulled French, out of Camden, is 101 feet. Both the Taber and French were launched originally in 1871.
Erratic winds kept captains on their toes and episodic, hazy sunlight frustrated photographers. Nonetheless, it was spectacular. Three-masted Victory Chimes, the largest of the schooners at 170 feet, required some fancy tacking and jibing when the winds softened and shifted. She’s out of Rockland and was launched in 1900.
Here we see the yellow-hulled Heritage overtaking Victory Chimes. The Heritage, out of Rockport, was launched in 1983 and is 145 feet long.
Far out in Eggemoggin Reach, Mary Day overtook the dark Angelique creating an interesting contrast. Mary, out of Camden, is 125 feet long and was launched in 1962.
Ladona and American Eagle, both out of Rockland, sometimes looked like ghost ships in the hazy light. Ladona originally was launched in 1922 and is 108 feet long. American Eagle was launched in 1930 and is 90 feet long.
The last of the official parade members were wide-beamed Grace Bailey, slim J.&E. Riggin, and small Mistress. Grace, out of Camden, is 118 feet long and was launched in 1882. The Riggin, out of Rockport, is 120 feet long and was launched in 1927. Mistress, out of Camden, is 60 feet long and was launched in 1960.
After mooring, the schooner passengers greeted each other and prepared for a party on shore, including good food, good music, dancing, and fireworks. Here you see the yellow-hulled Heritage moored next to American Eagle:
We should note an unofficial parade member that was present in Great Cove as the others began to arrive. It was the brigantine Actress, out of Belfast. She was launched in 1937 and is 56 feet long. Here she is going out to greet the arriving schooners:
(Brooklin, Maine)