The little schooner that could
Appledore's south-bound crew: Gil Scott, Lena Warner, Conner Vliet, Mathew Talarico (back), Andrew Salisbury (back), Jessica Willen, Chris Sterling, Jordon Smith, John McKean (seated) and Scott Watts.
Appledore's south-bound crew: Gil Scott, Lena Warner, Conner Vliet, Mathew Talarico (back), Andrew Salisbury (back), Jessica Willen, Chris Sterling, Jordon Smith, John McKean (seated) and Scott Watts.
CAMDEN — The schooner Appledore left its home port in Camden Harbor Nov. 2 to begin a 2,000 mile journey to Key West, Florida, where it will spend the winter. The crew of nine will be at sea 10 to 14 days before reaching their destination.
The Appledore is owned and operated by John and Jane McKean of Camden. Purchased in 1988, the Appledore began doing daysails off what was then Sharp’s Wharf, berthed in front of Lobster Stu’s shack in 1989. Though the wharf has gone through many changes and facelifts the one constant has been the Appledore. Now at Bayview Landing, the boat operates in front of Graffam Seafood Restaurant and the Grand Harbor Inn.
The Appledore celebrated its 25th anniversary in Maine this past summer and will celebrate its 25th season in Key West this winter. This trip south marks the boat’s 49th passage between Maine and Key West.
Launched on Aug. 22, 1978, the Appledore II is proud of her colorful history. The Appledore II is the largest of her four sister ships, Appledores I, III, IV, and V. The Appledore was the last schooner custom built by the Harvey Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol. Previously, the Harvey Gamage Yard had built and launched some of the nation’s more famous tall ships. This list includes the Mary Day, the Harvey Gamage, the Shenandoah, the Bowdoin and the Biil of Rights.
Famed boat designer Bud McIntosh designed the ship. His design is now recognized worldwide for the Appledore's heavy weather, open ocean capabilities. The ship is strong, stable and swift, with a 10.5 knot hull speed and 110-degree knockdown rating. In laymen’s terms, this ship will get you there, quickly without incident.
The Appledore’s maiden voyage was an 18-month circumnavigation, commenced in November of 1978 from Portsmouth, N.H., and completed there after the Appledore visited many ports of call around the world. This voyage has been chronicled in two books, Dreams of Natural Places, A New England Schooner Odyssey and Sailing Three Oceans, both authored by Herbert Smith.
Follow the Appledore’s southbound 2013 journey here with GPS updates.
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