Maine Memory Network

Blue Hill, Maine - Friendship vessel, Blue Hill, 1907

"Friendship vessel, Blue Hill, 1907 Contributed by Blue Hill Public Library Description A sailing vessel named Friendship in Blue Hill."

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - The End of Wooden Shipbuilding - 1910 to 1950

"There remains a fairly accurate list of the vessels launched from the shop in the possession of a former owner."

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Shipbuilding Today

"… uphold Thomaston’s reputation of quality-made vessels. As a new business venture, the firm currently produces solar-powered generators designed…"

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Shipbuilding

"In 1630, long before vessels were actually being built in Thomaston, English ships were navigating the George's River to reach the dense inland…"

Historic Hallowell - Seaport on the Kennebec

"From early April to late November, ocean-going vessels sailed up the Kennebec, forty-six miles from the open Atlantic, bringing Pennsylvania flour…"

John Martin: Expert Observer - Steamer "Bangor," 1847

"They had not considered the tide -- and the bottom propeller prevented the vessel from getting into Rockland harbor at low tide."

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Early Shipbuilders - 1780s

"George, built a vessel for which there is no name recorded. Eaton, an early town historian, reports the first vessel launched in old Thomaston was in…"

Maine Maritime Museum

View collections, facts, and contact information for this Contributing Partner.

John Martin: Expert Observer - Alonzo Raynes remembrance of trip around Cape Horn

"… who went to California in 1849 on the first vessel to leave Maine for during the gold rush. Raynes was quite successful and was a founder and…"

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Edward O'Brien moves to Thomaston - 1850s

"… Thomaston’s waterfront has seen over 1,000 vessels launched, ranging in size from pinkies to schooners and barges to full-rigged ships called Down…"

John Martin: Expert Observer - Canoe race, Kenduskeag Stream, Bangor, 1865

"… bridges custom house wharves tops of store houses vessels boats rafts vessels masts were litterally jamed." The canoes were labeled on each side…"

Maine's Road to Statehood - The Coasting Law of 1789

"… Society The "Act for Registering and Clearing Vessels, Regulating the Coasting Trade, and for Other Purposes" (often shortened to the "Coasting…"

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Atticus: A Fugitive Slave

"… and Edward Kelleran of Cushing to repair the vessel Susan (occasionally referred to as the Boston)."

Scarborough: They Called It Owascoag - Catch of the Day: Clamming and Lobstering - Page 1 of 4

"… Scarborough men fished off shore on commercial vessels at the Banks or in recent years, aboard draggers, trawlers or gill-netting vessels, most…"

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Shipbuilding During and after the Civil War - 1861 to 1900

"With the coming of steam-driven vessels, sailing vessels underwent a change of design from square-riggers to schooners to stay competitive."

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Shipbuilding Declines - 1857 to 1861

"… established shipyard owners were not building a vessel, the yards were often leased to individuals, who would build and launch their own vessels."

Blue Hill, Maine - Shipbuilding: An Important Early Industry

"According to local historians, over 100 vessels were built in Blue Hill, from 100-ton schooners to a 498-ton ship."

Cumberland & North Yarmouth - Population Decline in Maine's Coastal Counties

"A decline in the number of Americans in the shipping trade decreased demand for vessels built locally, further affecting the industry."

Highlighting Historical Hampden - War of 1812

"… been wreaking havoc among British ships when his vessel ran aground off foggy Isle au Haut. With great difficulty, he managed to sail his ship to…"

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Thomaston Narrative

"… area and later, one upon which over a thousand vessels were launched and, subsequently, navigated to coastal and worldwide destinations."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - II. Pinkies, wherries, skiffs and chebaccos: Early Settlement

"Coasting vessels transported the island’s lumber, and the fishing business began to expand. A view of the original Henry Knox mansion, Montpelier…"

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - Early Wharves and Yards - 1795 to 1825

"… as 1796, according to Eaton, but no records of vessels attributed to him appear until the 110-ton schooner “Montpelier” was launched in 1803."

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea - The "Edward O'Brien", the "Washington B. Thomas", & "Edna Hoyt"

"The vessel headed to the river prematurely and, dragging a 4200-pound anchor through the hillside above her, cut a furrow five feet deep, tearing…"

Historic Hallowell - Hallowell Waterfront - Page 1 of 2

"… and was the head of navigation for all large vessels. Mr. Page’s Ice House was also located on the waterfront for easy access to ice."