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T HE O RIGINAL E STABLISHED 1936 MAINE WINDJAMMER CRUISES™ Grace Bailey, Mercantile, and Mistress Re-live the great days of sail aboard our National Landmark coasting schooners, spending carefree days among the islands of Maine! P OST O FFICE B OX 617 • C AMDEN, MAINE 04843 WWW.MAINEW INDJAMMERC RUISES. COM 800-736-7981 • 207-236-2938 T HE O RIGINAL M AINE W INDJAMMER C RUISES Have you ever heard the sea rush past a real sailing ship . felt the salt breeze in your hair . watched the moon rise over an island anchorage? You will, when you set sail with the original Maine Windjammer Cruises FREDERICK LEBLANC Come re-live the great days of sail Once upon a time, there were thousands of ruggedly this summer. on our authentic, tall-masted schooners, and spend carefree built coasters like the Grace Bailey and the Mercantile. They days among the islands of Maine. Listen to the song of the sea delivered lumber, granite, ice, and fish all along the Atlantic as you laze in the fresh air and your tall ship scuds across a from Maine to the Caribbean, and returned with their holds stunning seascape. Help the crew spot buoys, haul the filled with casks of molasses, rum, and sugar. By the early 1900s, sheets—and even stand a trick at the wheel. In the afternoon, however, these grand ladies were headed for extinction. Frank explore a picturesque fishing village, go shopping in a salty Swift, a Camden captain, came up with a brilliant idea to save a seaport, or stroll a deserted island seashore. And then sleep few of them. He called it Windjammer Cruises. In 1936 he took soundly all night long as your ship rests gently on her anchor. his first passengers on a sailing adventure along the Maine Coast, and Maine Windjammer Cruises was founded. It became so popular, that over the years his fleet included as many as twelve coasters. Cover photo © Robert C. Jenks COURTESY RODGER BILLINGS RODGER COURTESY 2 S AIL INTO H ISTORY • 800-736-7981 K EEPING A T RADITION A LIVE The Grace Bailey and the Mercantile were part of Frank Swift’s original fleet. Their grace and strength have ensured their place as the stars of Maine Windjammer Cruises from the time they became part of the fleet in 1939 and 1945. Through the years, others followed Frank’s lead, bringing a variety of vessels of varied origins to the windjammer trade, including a surprising number of modern replicas. The Grace Bailey and the Mercantile aren’t replicas. They are the real thing. As soon as you step on board, you’ll know. Both vessels have been completely rebuilt, restored, and refitted for comfort and safety, but not a bit of their rich authenticity has been compromised. Broad planked decks still stretch forward to graceful clipper bows. Hempen rigging still runs through wooden blocks and polished fairleads. Canvas sails still carry us along smartly without the need for any newfangled inboard engine. True to their heritage, these are pure sailing ships, only assisted in tight quarters or light airs by a yawl boat, a diesel-powered push boat lowered from the davits when needed. Below, where hogsheads of molasses were once stowed, you’ll find a spacious galley and private accommodations. The airy cabins have full headroom, and about half have double beds. There are also double cabins with twin beds, some upper and lower, as well as a few single cabins. Toilet facilities are conveniently located in belowdecks passenger areas, and there’s a hot, fresh-water shower belowdecks, too. (For specifics on the Grace Bailey and the Mercantile, please see pages 10 through 12.) The Mistress is the princess of our fleet, a miniature version of the grander ships. Not as old as the other two vessels, she was built with a loyalty to traditional lines and materials coupled with an attention to modern amenities. Forty- six feet long, with just three double cabins (each with its own sink and head), she offers an intimate sailing experience for six passengers. (For specifics on the Mistress, please see page 13.) ROBERT C. JENKS C. ROBERT JENKS C. ROBERT 3 WWW.MAINEW INDJAMMERC RUISES. COM T HE O RIGINAL M AINE W INDJAMMER C RUISES Imagine being so relaxed that the biggest decision of the day is whether to read your paperback or nap in the afternoon sun . How will you spend You’ll arise to the unique light composed of sun, sky, and sea. Hot coffee and fresh-baked your days on board? goods await topside, while the irresistible aromas of a hearty breakfast prepared on a traditional woodburning cookstove waft from the galley. Soon the gentle morning breeze nudges our collars, reminding us that our wooden ship was built to sail. By mid morning, we’ve taken the halyards off the belaying pins and raised our broad canvas wings again. The schooner moves on an even keel, steadily ghosting along where once she carried the cargoes of yesteryear. As we thread our way between picture-perfect islands that shelter us from the open sea, you can sunbathe, chat with new friends, learn to navigate, or climb into the hammock and read that book you’ve been trying to get to. A chime of the ship’s bell announces lunch. We run before the wind or tack up into it, and the scenery Served on deck or in the main cabin, it stars one of our hearty unfolds: granite outcroppings, spruce-clad islands, and always specialties—chowder, chili, lasagna, ham, stew—all topped off DAVIDSON the blue hills of the mainland, there across the bay. with freshly baked breads and sweet treats. 4 L ET N ATURE S ET Y OUR C OURSE • 800-736-7981 M AINE’ S U NIQUE V ACATION Perhaps one of our other windjammers will sail by in the afternoon. Or we might pass close to a stalwart lighthouse, its beacon bidding us safe journey. The Captain studies the wind and weather, consults his charts, and chats with passengers as the night’s destination is decided upon. Once the sails are furled and the anchor is down, you’re welcome to swim, fish, explore ashore, or try your hand in one of our sailing or rowing dinghies. At dinner, we gather round the huge varnished galley tables to enjoy a delectable entree such as baked stuffed haddock, baked chicken, or New England boiled dinner. There are always lots of fresh vegetables and salads. Culinary highlights of the cruise include a Surf and Turf Barbecue on weekend cruises; and, on longer trips, the Captain’s Famous Barbecue and our old-fashioned New England Lobster Bake. Far from city lights, the moon and stars fill the sky above our masts, luring us back on deck before we turn in. Guitars, banjos, and harmonicas are brought out—if you play, please bring yours. As the stillness of the night soothes us, we join our new friends to sing chanteys and share tales. Don’t forget your binoculars—nature is all around us on the bay. Curious harbor seals watch as they sun themselves on rocky island points and often come around when the boat is at anchor to see what we’re all about. Gulls, ospreys, and even eagles soar above the evergreens. If we’re in the right place at the right time, we may even spy some of Maine’s elusive puffins. Perhaps we’ll spot porpoise gracefully arching through the water or even a whale slowly rolling along. As we approach Mount Desert Island, you’ll see the majestic peaks of Acadia National Park, including Cadillac Mountain, the tallest point on the Eastern Seaboard. ROBERT C. JENKS C. ROBERT 5 WWW.MAINEW INDJAMMERC RUISES. COM T HE O RIGINAL M AINE W INDJAMMER C RUISES You’ll be sailing in some of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds JOE DEVENNEY . aboard ships that JENKS C. ROBERT were built to sail them. CHRIS CUNNINGHAM The stunning beauty of this rugged coastline, These magnificent vessels and others like them its bays and islands, has inspired chroniclers since the days of were the lifeblood of commerce in downeast Maine. They are the earliest seafarers. Centuries have passed, but this corner of an important part of our history and the development of this the New World that came to be called Maine has remained region. There is no more fitting way for you to discover the unspoiled, awaiting discovery anew by today’s explorers. beauty of this area for yourself than from the broad decks of You will be captivated by an awe-inspiring blue-and-green our traditional tall-masted cargo schooners. Having sailed tapestry. Broad stretches of calm water, evergreen isles with these same waters for over a century, they offer an experience their peaceful, perfectly protected anchorages, and the backdrop that is filled with adventure, continuity, and romance. of gentle hills and mountains will take your breath away. 6 C REATE L IFELONG M EMORIES • 800-736-7981 L IVING THE D REAM The thrill of sailing these vessels has captured our entire family, and we would love to share it with you! — Captain Ray & Ann Williamson In 1975, Ray and Ann moved to the Virgin Islands, where Ann had Buying older vessels in need of a great deal of been hired as a kindergarten teacher. Ray, who loved sailing, was work gave Ray the opportunity to experience his two happy to find work as a captain in the local charter boat fleet.