Greetings!
For those who have yet to chart a course through the Wind In Their Sails: Death and Resurrection website, rich waters await your exploration. I encourage you to find out how much there is to explore—and discover all that draws me so deeply to these classic wooden sailboats.
Explore the site at your leisure. We would be delighted to hear what you think!
This Month’s Classic Wooden Boat Story: The Alma by Bill Elliot of Bay Ship and Yacht
Photo: Alma, courtesy of the NPS
Alma—97% Rebuilt, 100% Historic—A Journey of Restoration
“The Alma is the only boat in the San Francisco National Maritime Historical Park collection that has gone sailing on a regular basis. So it gets a lot more attention. You know, people take care of it, they’re interested in it, it gets a lot of volunteers coming aboard and helping out and all that sort of thing. It’s really a very important element in maintaining an historic ship like that.
When we rebuilt her in 1992, We replaced all of the side planking and side framing. We did replace a few planks on the bottom, but the rest of the bottom, the stringers and most of the planking was as original as we knew at the time.
Probably most of the bottom planks have been replaced by now. We replaced all of the side perimeter planking and the forward rake. We did not replace the aft rake. I think that had been done, some years prior at Stone Boat Yard. We replaced all the deck.
So, you know, probably 97 percent of the elements have been replaced over the years.”
—Bill Elliot, Bay Ship and Yacht
Tell Us Your Classic Wooden Boat Story
Photo: Boats on the Bay by Chris Ray
Email your story to me: Email Vince.
My goal in producing this documentary is to help build community around these classic boats. Stories like this help personalize your relationship to your boat and make that relationship mean something to others.
A Tall Ship Legacy on the Bay
Since I first walked aboard the tall ship Balclutha, I’ve been captivated by these tall ships that once ferried thousands of immigrants to worlds they had never seen. Though wooden tall ships no longer ply the seas, their legacy continues through the tall ships that carry on that tradition.
In 1999, San Francisco welcomed the largest gathering of tall ships to grace these waters since the Gold Rush of 1849. It was organized by the Maritime Heritage Project San Francisco.
The impressive fleet included eight ships over 100 feet—including the Eagle pictured left-and another eight ships over 60 feet leading the parade, with numerous Master Mariner Benevolent Association vessels joining the procession.
The tall ships came from Canada, Columbia, Ecuador, Indonesia and Japan. Many served as training vessels, teaching young cadets the demanding art of seamanship—including the courage to climb rigging in gale force winds.
From the era of “wooden ship and iron men” comes the sea story of a captain who once declared, “I tell you when to put the sails up. Let God take them down.”
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Fast forward to this summer, as the USCG Barque Eagle returns to the Bay after an seventeen-year absence (pictured left).
Watching her under sail proved just as inspiring to today’s young people as stepping aboard the Balclutha was for me over 60 years ago.
Photos: Courtesy of the DHS
Photo: Balclutha, courtesy of the NPS
USCG Barque Eagle: Training for the Future on a Ship from the Past (Video)
Training at sea on a sailing vessel has always been a part of the Coast Guard Academy curriculum. At 295 feet long with masts rising 147 feet above the deck and carrying 22,280 square feet of sails, she carries on the tradition of training midshipmen and midshipwomen in fair weather and foul. That training helps prepare them for the work they will be doing when they graduate and move on to more modern ships and boats. It’s also an experience that will stay with them for life.
How You Can Put the Wind in the Sails of this Documentary
I’m looking for people who would like to see their name on the big screen as a major donor on a film about helping to preserve classic wooden boats for the future. As Executive Producer, you are funding specific footage for the film. Your donation of $6,322 covers the full cost of producing one day of shooting at the following events.
Pick your event to Executive Produce:
- Master Mariners Benevolent Association Regatta – May
- Corinthian Yacht Club Wooden Boat Show – June
- San Francisco Yacht Club Belvedere Classic – August
- Rolex Big Boat Series at St. Francis Yacht Club – September (two consecutive days)
- St. Francis Yacht Club Jessica Cup – October
Your name, credited as Executive Producer, will appear on one of the first screens of the video for the event you choose. Step up and choose your event!
You’ll also receive credit as Co-Executive Producer in the final documentary.
Call me and let’s talk. (510) 504-2605. You can get a tax deduction and be a producer of a documentary film.
It’s not often that you get a chance to be a part of history.
This is a chance to make sure the history of these matrons of the sea can live on into the future.
Other Ways to Support this Documentary
If you are looking for some fun, consider donating some time to help make this project happen. No prior experience is required but a “can do” attitude is. My email address is below. Drop me a line and we can see how you can best help out.