Shenandoah refurbishment is well under way in Maine

Posted January 24, 2008

This photograph, taken Monday, shows the work now under way at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard on Capt. Robert S. Douglas's Vineyard Haven based schooner Shenandoah. After 43 years of seasonal use for weekly cruises in Southeastern New England, the schooner's topside framing requires extensive renewal. Planking and framing below the waterline on the 108-foot vessel is still in good shape, according the shipyard general manager David Stimson.

Shenandoah, her waist and topside framing revealed, undergoes repairs. Photo by David Stimson. Click photo for larger version.

Shenandoah left Vineyard Haven on Dec. 6, under tow for Boothbay. Work started in mid-December. So far, shipwrights have removed the bulwarks and rails, eight strakes of topside planking, much of the topside framing, and the stern timbers. About a third of the work has been completed to replace the worn-out timbers with new framing and stanchions, Mr. Stimson said. He added that the shipyard expects to begin re-planking starting at the bow in about three weeks. The schedule calls for the work to be done by mid-May, in time for Shenandoah's 2008 summer season.

Operated by the Coastwise Packet Co. along with the other Douglas schooner, Alabama, Shenandoah was launched in 1964, from the Harvey Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol, Maine. Nearly all of her planking and timbers were of red oak. The rebuilt portions of the vessel will be made of white oak, a stronger and more rot-resistant material, according to Mr. Stimson.