Lewis R. French (schooner) facts for kids
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|} The Lewis R. French is a special kind of sailboat called a schooner. She sails out of Camden, Maine, and takes people on week-long trips. These trips are often called "Maine windjammer" cruises. Built way back in 1871, she is the oldest known two-masted schooner still sailing in the United States. She is also one of only a few of these old ships still actively used today. Because she is so important to history, the ship was named a US National Historic Landmark in 1992.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | Lewis R. French |
| Builder | French Brothers |
| Launched | 1871 |
| Status | In service as of 2019 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 50 gross register tons (GRT) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 18.8 ft (5.7 m) |
| Draft | 7.5 ft (2.3 m) |
| Depth of hold | 5.4 ft (1.6 m) |
| Propulsion | Yawl Boat 85 HP |
| Sail plan | Main, Fore, Forestaysail, Jib, Main Gaff Topsail, Jib Topsail |
| Complement | 4 crew and 21 Overnight Guests |
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Lewis R. French (Schooner)
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|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Camden Harbor, Camden, Maine |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | French Bros. |
| Architectural style | coasting schooner |
| NRHP reference No. | 82005263 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 4 December 1991 |
| Designated NHL | 4 December 1992 |
Building the Lewis R. French
The Lewis R. French was built and launched in 1871. This happened in Christmas Cove, a place in South Bristol, Maine. The ship is about 101 feet long. Her main deck is 64.7 feet long, and she is 18.8 feet wide. The part of the ship that sits under the water, called the draft, is 7.5 feet deep. The Lewis R. French moves only with the power of her sails.
How the Ship Was Built
The ship's main frame is made from strong oak and hackmatack wood. Her outer layer, called planking, is made of white oak. When she was first built, wooden pegs called treenails held the planks together. Later, during a major repair, these wooden pegs were replaced with metal spikes.
The Story Behind Her Name
The schooner was built by the sons of a store owner named Lewis R. French. They decided to name the ship after their father. There's a fun story about why they did this! The sons had an agreement with their father that he would pay for the ship to be built. But he never did. So, the sons named the ship after him. This was a clever way to make him follow an old tradition. This tradition said that anyone who had a ship named after them had to buy a full set of flags for that ship.
Life of a Historic Schooner
Joseph W. French was the first captain of the Lewis R. French. At first, she carried goods along the coast, which is called the coasting trade. From 1877 to 1888, she was used for fishing. After that, she went back to carrying cargo.
Changes Over Time
In 1928, the ship went through a big change. Her tall masts were taken down, and an engine was put in to power her. A small room for the captain, called a pilot house, was added to the back of the ship. The Lewis R. French kept working in the coasting trade, carrying all sorts of items, until 1973.
Becoming a Windjammer
In 1973, a man named John Foss bought the ship. He spent three years fixing her up. He wanted to make her sail again like she used to. He also made her cargo area comfortable for passengers. The Lewis R. French became one of the first schooners to offer tourist trips. These trips were part of the "Maine Windjammer Fleet" sailing from Rockland, Maine.
New Owners and Continued Journeys
In 1986, John Foss sold the schooner to his brother-in-law, Dan Pease. Dan sailed and captained the Lewis R. French for many years. He sailed her from Rockland and then from Camden. In 2003, Garth Wells bought the ship from Dan Pease. Garth and his wife, Jenny Tobin, are the current owners and co-captains. The ship still sails out of Camden today. Since 1976, the Lewis R. French has continuously taken tourists on amazing trips along the coast of Maine.
A National Treasure
The Lewis R. French was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Then, in 1992, she was named a National Historic Landmark. This means she is very important to the history of the United States. She is the oldest two-masted schooner in the country. Another schooner, the Stephen Taber, was also built in 1871, making them very close in age.
The Lewis R. French is also special because she has a full keel. This is the long, flat part at the bottom of the ship. Only one other schooner, the Governor Stone, also a National Historic Landmark, has a full keel. The Lewis R. French is the oldest sailing ship built in Maine. She is also the only known schooner built in Maine that has always had Maine as her home port.
