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Write to: The Log Editorial, P.O. Box 1337, Newport Beach, CA 92659 thelogeditor@thelog.com.
Letters/Online Comments
RE: Sailing 101: Anatomy of the Sailboat
(JAN. 21-FEB. 3)
“The timing of your article Sailing 101 turns out to be perfect for me as I set a new course and plan to learn how to sail. After a lifetime of boating starting on the northeast coast and now in Southern California, I have been fortunate to enjoy various types of powerboats including trawlers. Now that my wife is done with boating, I needed to fi nd something to keep me on the water and stay young. Why not sailing? After a yearlong search for the “right boat”, I commissioned the build of a 16’ Sandpiper Catsailboat built by Marshall Marine Corp, in Maine. With the boat’s ultrawide beam of 7 feet, I felt it would offer the greatest stability for a beginner and its great classic look adds to its appeal. I look forward to following your article and learning as much as possible. Thank you.” —John Torelli
Harbor (JAN. 21-FEB. 3)
“Best of luck to the Mystic Whaler’s new owners. May she serve you well. I miss seeing her & Capt. John on the Mystic River.” —Deborah Leichner “Have a happy new life Mystic Whaler. We sailed many times out of Mystic with Captain John. He was looking for the right home for her and we hope all will be happy. Pam and Wayne F.” —Pamela Finkle
RE: CARB Addresses Public Comments and
Concerns (JAN. 21-FEB. 3)
“There is no clear path forward to viable compliance being presented so far. Stay focused on the goal of getting Californians out on the water for fi shing and wildlife viewing.” —Merit
Comments are edited for clarity.
On Board With Johnson by J.R. Johnson
FAST FACTS
All Aboard the Down Easter Dirigo
By: KATHERINE M CLEMENTS
UNITED STATES— In February 1894, the fi rst American steelrigged ship, Dirigo, was built in Bath, Maine. The four-masted ship was built and owned by Arthur Sewall & Co., constructed of imported steel plates and shipbuilding labor; it was built at the Sewall Shipyard in Bath. The Sewall shipyard was the only yard in the country at the time to switch from building wooden sailing vessels to building steel vessels.
The Dirigo was designed as a typical British design from the 1890s; while other ships had been built of iron or equipped with a screw propeller, Great Britain was the fi rst to combine these features in a large oceangoing ship.
Eight more steel vessels were built following the completion of Dirigo, whichis the Maine state motto meaning “I lead” in Latin.
Dirigo weighed 3,005 gross tons and registered at a length of 312 feet. Arthur Sewall & Co. owned her until 1915 when they sold her to her San Francisco owners.
Beginning in 1889, The Sewalls had started building very large Down Easters. Beginning with the launch of the Rappahannock, Sewall created a series of 300-foot, 3,000-ton ships.
Shutterstock image
On the Great Seal of the State of Maine is the motto “Dirigo.”
Reader Q&A
By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS
Harbor (JAN. 27)
QDo you know about the tours to the public?
AThe Mystic Whaler is expected to take a few months before being open to the public, and the buyer is currently on track to have the ship open for public tours by late spring, early summer of 2022.
The Mystic Whaler was purchased by a private buyer who plans to use the vessel for educational programs. An in depth article explaining the Mystic Whaler, written by Catherine French for the Log, can be found on the Log’s website.
The private buyer is currently going through the process of hiring the crew who will permanently man the tall ship.
The Channel Islands Harbor has had tall ships in the past that were free to visit but welcomed donations from the public.
The donations went towards paying the crew members and although it has not been determined yet, it is likely that the Mystic Whaler will operate the same way. In comparison to other cities that have tall ship exhibits, the ticket price averaged between $3-$5.
To stay updated you can contact the harbor at (805) 973-5950 or contact Jed Chernabaeff, the harbor’s public information offi cer at jed. chernabaeff@ventura.org or (805) 973-5928.
