Marlinspike Magazine

07/05/2025

I think the Post has jumped the gun, but it is at least a possibility that Cuauhtémoc could return to NYC next summer.

The Mexican navy ship Cuauhtémoc could be part of the Sail4th 250 festival if the National Transportation Safety Board investigation finishes in time.

07/05/2025

"MMA brought in technicians to x-ray the mast, looking for any structural defects. 'They take a picture every three feet or so, we can get a complete picture of the mast. It looked sound, as best as we can tell.'"

With the Bowdoin’s main mast stepped, the student crew now turns to prepping the boat for the first of its summer cruises.

07/05/2025

NAME THAT BOAT! We've removed *most* of the names from trailboards and burgees, to make you work a little harder. Photo: Maggie Walton

07/04/2025

July 4, 1812: FAME captures the first prizes of the War of 1812.

On this date in 1812, the privateer schooner Fame of Salem captured the first prizes of the War of 1812.

On the afternoon of July 4, Fame was in the Grand Manan Channel, between Maine and New Brunswick, and intercepted the 300-ton ship Concord and the 200-ton brig Elbe, both coming out of Passamaquoddy Bay to begin their long voyage across the Atlantic.

How did a 30-ton schooner capture a ship nearly ten times her size?

Fame was packed with 25 men — privateers always sailed with oversize crews, with an eye to intimidating their adversaries and manning more prizes. Concord sailed with just 13. Fame’s crew consisted of 25 stakeholders, who knew that 1/25th of whatever they captured was theirs to keep. Concord was defended by common sailors with no stake in their ship or cargo.

Finally, along the rocky, tide-swept coasts of the Bay of Fundy, a small, well-manned schooner could sail circles around a short-handed timber carrier. Fame cut Concord off from the open sea, hoisted her American ensign, and fired a warning shot. She expected a prompt surrender, and was not disappointed.

Fame returned to Salem on July 9, just eight days after setting out. Concord arrived the next day, having stopped in Machias to land her prisoners, and Elbe dropped anchor on the 12th. Concord and Elbe were quickly condemned as legitimate prizes and sold at auction. The gross proceeds were nearly $6,500.

07/04/2025

Ah yes. Barefoot Windjammer Cruises, RIP.

07/04/2025

NAME THAT BOAT! We've removed *most* of the names from trailboards and burgees, to make you work a little harder. Photo: Richard Sibley

07/04/2025

Finest kind.

The crew of GMRC wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth.

07/03/2025

LETTIE just keeps throwing these new looks at us! Keeping it fresh!

LETTIE is back in Erie and you know what that means! We are charging right back into day sails!! She will be back to her regularly scheduled programming, sailing 7 days a week!

Starting tomorrow, LETTIE will be sailing off of Dobbins Landing
M-Th: 2 pm, 4:30 pm, and 7 pm
F-Sun.: 11:30 am, 2 pm, 4:30 pm and 7 pm

Come on down and go for a sail!!

07/03/2025

Please join the crew of ELISSA for an introductory meeting for potential crew members at 1 pm on Saturday, July 19, at the Galveston Historic Seaport on Pier 22, Harborside Drive between 21st and 22nd streets. Can’t attend on July 19? Sign up anyways! We will send out information on how to join us for class 2.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd971cgyEcMl1eI_IWHKqQeDOPABCY6Z5ODa0e-DMiB3wxMfg/viewform

07/03/2025

NAME THAT BOAT! We've removed *most* of the names from trailboards and burgees, to make you work a little harder.

07/03/2025

"Three years ago, at just 25 years of age, Captain King acquired the American Eagle, marking a new beginning in the life of one of the last remaining original fishing schooners in the Gloucester fleet."

Back when Tyler King was a kid leaving summer behind for the start of another school year, watching the massive wooden boats pull into the harbor for the Gloucester Schooner […]