Doubt That Any Of Us Will Be Splashing a Boat This Big This Spring

[rardiH36]

After quite a few years in the planning stages -- And then 1.5 years of actual dry-land construction -- The 132' LOA (OK so that includes the bowsprit) and 175 ton wooden sailing Tall Ship, "Mathew Turner" will be launched this afternoon at the Army Corp of Engineer's dock, Sausalito, CA.

Here is a link to the "live feed". A Google search might yield some videos by San Francisco area TV stations who covered the initial movement out from under the construction tent yesterday.

http://educationaltallship.org/Live-Feed.php

I was at the site yesterday afternoon while the roll-out from the tent was happening. I encountered the person who was in charge of the oakum/caulking between the plank siding. He said that he won't be attending the post launch party. Reason: Once the ship is in the water, he will spend several hours down in the bilges. Verifying all the seams are water-tight!

http://educationaltallship.org/Live-Feed.php

 

[Gunni]

Interesting that they stepped back to so much square rigging for this ship. Did I get it right that she requires 35 crew? With gaff or clipper rig they could crew the boat with half that many.

 

[RussC]

That is VERY cool. not just the ship itself, but the whole project is very inspiring. thanks for sharing.

 

[Ron20324]

Does anyone recall the PBS series , "The Voyage of the MiMi" ? An educational boat.

 

[Spindrift NH]

Saw this one in Charleston Harbor yesterday; The largest chartering sailboat @ 295 feet