Schooner Virginia

[Gunni]

Schooner Virginia comes back in 2014 with an active schedule and lots of port visits, including New England this summer. Then back to the bay, including Baltimore for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore in September. Virginia, a top-gaff schooner is the fastest of the traditional wooden tall ships, and a floating work of art. Here she is heading south from Annapolis: (credit Greg Pease www.gregpeasephoto.com )

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[CCHer]

Saw her in Norfolk a couple of years ago. She's an absolutely beautiful ship. I thought I had read awhile back that there was funding problems but perhaps that is now resolved. Good to see that she will be on tour again.

 

[Gunni]

Yes, the state lost interest in the value of their tall ship during the recession, and the foundation management didn't help by taking the ship out of the area, and the bay for several seasons. By the time funding dried up, they nearly lost her to neglect.

But angel investors and a strong board are bringing her back. Long way to go to full health. I would like to see a bay-wide traditional sailing vessel syndicate to promote maritime heritage to the Bay community, and the Mid-Atlantic. We have a great history, and a lot of interested stakeholders. Who can't love a wooden tall ship?

 

[dscribner]

Nothing like a gaff rigged beauty like that! We sailed Penobscot Bay (Maine) for a week last year and the bay is crawling with them. I have a photo someplace with 4 of them in it. Inspiring. Not sure which one this is but she is something.

 

[capta]

Yesterday I was browsing schooners for sale, and found that over a dozen of the Maine schooners were up for sale. I'm guessing that industry is not doing well.
I also saw that The Spirit of South Carolina, is for sale. They are asking about three times what a volunteer built vessel is worth. With twin screws, they didn't get the performance they expected from her, of course, but she is a lovely vessel.
So what is going to happen to all these lovely, traditional vessels, that are unwanted and too expensive to operate?

 

[Gunni]

Not inexpensive to operate, but not that much when the cost is shared by local citizens willing to promote their maritime heritage, provide unique local educational experiences and showcase their waterfront. It can be a tough sell, requiring a dedicated group of supporters willing to endure the clucking of those who see it as a zero-sum trade-off for other civic investments. The letters to the editor in Norfolk included many who wanted Virginia cut up and burned. Lot of pure hate.

The Pride of Baltimore on the other hand faces the same struggles with the support of the community, lots of activity, an outstanding crew, and strong sponsorship. Pride.

 

[PaulK]

Certainly seems to be worth something on a wide range of fronts. It can't be too expensive to run if it's done properly: Martha's Vineyard (a small island off Massachussetts) has two such vessels. http://theblackdogtallships.com/school-program/ and there's also the Spirit of Massachussetts. Newport RI is hosting the Oliver Hazard Perry as well.

 

[gettinthere]

Those black dog ships are part of a private company. They're part of the black dog enterprise. They have stores, restaurants, etc. Sort of a mini theme park.
Evil capitalists making obscene profits off the slave labor of the peon workers, and using schooners as part of their empire!

 

[Merlin Clark]

Beautiful!

 

[shemandr]

Those black dog ships are part of a private company. They're part of the black dog enterprise. They have stores, restaurants, etc. Sort of a mini theme park.
Evil capitalists making obscene profits off the slave labor of the peon workers, and using schooners as part of their empire!

Black Dog like the rum, restaurants, bars and tee shirts?
I hope they are making obscene profits off tourists who seem to have endless money to spend on a coast experience vacation. And the fact that they use those obscene profits to run some beautiful schooners only raises them in my eyes.
When we are cruising and have the luck to see almost any of the wooden schooners, replicas, tall ships, in their natural state, it is a special day. It takes money to run them and those tourists are the source. So they are enjoying the day, as we are, and I think it's all OK.
Those "Peon" workers are probably loving the day too. So who's complaining?
Maybe you should lighten up on the Dana novels?

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Those black dog ships are part of a private company. They're part of the black dog enterprise. They have stores, restaurants, etc. Sort of a mini theme park.
Evil capitalists making obscene profits off the slave labor of the peon workers, and using schooners as part of their empire!

I'm thinking there was mostly tongue in that cheek ...

 

[dscribner]

Maine residents don't live on the coast. Most of it is covered with million dollar homes, many of which are used for a fraction of the year. The end results are taxes rhat are unreal, fishermen that live miles from the coast and a dead maritime tradition.