We caught two handsome schooners trying to sneak out of Great Cove earlier than usual Thursday morning. They passed the almost-20-foot “Martha” (previously E.B. White’s cruiser), which was a good indicator of their size, although perspective makes estimations tricky.
Above, you see the120-foot “J.&E. Riggin,” launched in 1927 and now out of Rockland, Maine. Her quick-identification points are her spoon bow and low-slung black hull that has a continuous sheer to the stern without any fancy taffrail around the afterdeck. Below, you’ll see the 110-foot “Stephen Taber,” launched in 1871 and now also is out of Rockland.
The “Taber” has more quick-identification points. They include her very dark green hull that often looks black at a distance; a decorated bow top with separated white bowsprit above; a high, often-unused main topmast, and her fancy white taffrail around the afterdeck.
(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on August 29, 2024; overall lengths used.)