BOOTHBAY HARBOR, Maine — After a lengthy wait, Maine’s official vessel was prepared to head back to the icy waters that made her famous.
The historic schooner Bowdoin sat peacefully Tuesday morning, in all of her glory, at Carousel Marina in Boothbay Harbor.
Maine Maritime Academy owns the ship. A group of 10 students and six crew from the school planned to sail at noon for St. John's, Newfoundland; then turn north, eventually reaching Denmark within the Arctic Circle, before heading back home after a six-week journey.
The Bowdoin had made 28 voyages into the Arctic since Mainers built her in 1921. But this will be her first in 16 years.
Kate Noel is the vice president of advancement and college relations with the academy.
"It’s not your average summer experience," Noel smiled. "And I think that that’s what’s beautiful about Maine Maritime. We’re teaching leaders, and we’re teaching students who want to be independent and have the confidence to get on a vessel and head to the Arctic for six weeks."
Noel explained the gap in Arctic trips was a result of the school focusing on other academic priorities in recent years and not being able to find the right captain.
Alex Peacock is now that captain, and spoke lovingly of the century-old oak ship.
"She's rugged and she's elegant, you know?" Peacock asserted, standing at the marina overlooking the vessel. "She's got the whole package, and she's the right size—88 feet."
Aboard the Bowdoin, we found Ryan Gamble loading food down into the galley from above deck. The sophomore systems engineering student explained what it takes to commit to a trip like this.
"It's really just, you know, a love for adventure," Gamble shrugged. "You gotta like the great outdoors; the smell of salty air in the morning."
However, he was not speaking from experience, as this would be his first sailing trip ever.
"I figured the best way to figure out how one works is to live on one 24/7 for two months," Gamble smiled.
A grant from L.L.Bean helped set the trip in motion. The crew is expected to return to Maine on July 26.