Maine Maritime Museum

Historic schooner cruises begin with the Mary E

Sat, 06/01/2019 - 8:15am

    Beginning June 5, Maine Maritime Museum is excited to offer sailing trips aboard the 1906 schooner Mary E., the last surviving schooner built on the Kennebec River, was purchased and restored by the museum, and relaunched in 2018. Mary E Kennebec River Sails will be offered Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 4 pm, June 5 through Sept. 28.

    The 2.5-hour cruises will take passengers past Doubling Point Light, the Kennebec Range Lights, and the site of the Thomas E. Hagan shipyard where she built, and will provide a unique view of Navy vessels under construction at BIW. Passengers can help the crew set and trim sails, or sit back and enjoy the scenery as the crew shares tales from Mary E’s colorful history.

    In addition to the regular sailing schedule, a number of special off-site sailing trips will be offered, including sailing in the Portland Schoonerfest Regatta (June 21-23), the Casco Bay Gaffers Race (June 24), and the Boothbay Windjammer Days Parade of Sail (June 26).

    The Mary E has also served as a cargo carrier, a passenger-carrying windjammer, and even rumored to have been a rum runner. She is the last surviving schooner built on the Kennebec River, and the oldest Maine-built fishing schooner still sailing.

    Tickets are on sale now, and are available online (MaineMaritimeMuseum.org), by calling 207-443-1316, or in person at the museum admission desk.

    Maine Maritime Museum celebrates Maine’s maritime heritage and culture in order to educate the community and a worldwide audience about the important role of Maine in regional and global maritime activities. Call (207) 443-1316 or visit www.MaineMaritimeMuseum.org for more information. 243 Washington Street, Bath.