The Schooner  Timberwind  began her life as the  Portland Pilot  in 1931. Built in the city of her namesake, she is 96' from the front tip of her bowsprit to the end tip of her main boom with 70' on deck. Cecil Abbott of the Pil

The Schooner Timberwind began her life as the Portland Pilot in 1931. Built in the city of her namesake, she is 96' from the front tip of her bowsprit to the end tip of her main boom with 70' on deck. Cecil Abbott of the Pilot's Association took these photos during her construction. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

The framework on the  Timberwind  has held true since the days of her original build.

The framework on the Timberwind has held true since the days of her original build.

Building a wooden vessel takes many hands, great skill, and a heck of a lot of timber. Her hull is built entirely from oak framing while her decks are planks of cedar.  Photo credit: Captain Alexander

Building a wooden vessel takes many hands, great skill, and a heck of a lot of timber. Her hull is built entirely from oak framing while her decks are planks of cedar. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

The day of her launch, October 3, 1931 from Brown's Wharf, Portland, Maine. Her draft, or the depth of the vessel's hull, is a stout 10'6".  This was certainly helpful in the winter months when she was off-shore in the nasty wea

The day of her launch, October 3, 1931 from Brown's Wharf, Portland, Maine. Her draft, or the depth of the vessel's hull, is a stout 10'6".  This was certainly helpful in the winter months when she was off-shore in the nasty weather. 

 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

The  Portland Pilot  was a beauty on the water. As you can see from this photo, she has two smokestacks for her gasoline engines, which had been installed in 1933. This engine power made the  Portland Pilot  able to do her duty

The Portland Pilot was a beauty on the water. As you can see from this photo, she has two smokestacks for her gasoline engines, which had been installed in 1933. This engine power made the Portland Pilot able to do her duty even without wind. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

Oh yes-- that's ice coating the shrouds and cap rail. Even in the freezing Maine winters, the  Portland Pilot  would stay hard at work. 

Oh yes-- that's ice coating the shrouds and cap rail. Even in the freezing Maine winters, the Portland Pilot would stay hard at work. 

Hard at work near her station at the present-day Cape Elizabeth Light tower. 

Hard at work near her station at the present-day Cape Elizabeth Light tower. 

This photo, taken in '59 or '60, shows an unusual mainsail in that it was without gaff or boom and was used to keep the bow pointing into the wind rather than for forward movement. 

This photo, taken in '59 or '60, shows an unusual mainsail in that it was without gaff or boom and was used to keep the bow pointing into the wind rather than for forward movement. 

In 1969, the  Portland Pilot  was purchased by Captain William Alexander and his wife Julie, but before signing the papers, the vessel had to be taken in for a buyer's survey, or a boat's equivalent of a "look under the hood". This p

In 1969, the Portland Pilot was purchased by Captain William Alexander and his wife Julie, but before signing the papers, the vessel had to be taken in for a buyer's survey, or a boat's equivalent of a "look under the hood". This photo shows her out of water at Storey Shipyard in South Portland. The smooth shape of her transom is a sight to behold. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

After motoring from Portland, Maine since 2:30AM, the  Portland Pilot  arrived in Penobscot Bay. Captain Alexander and his wife (both at the helm) were finally moving her to her new home in Rockport, Maine.  Photo credit:

After motoring from Portland, Maine since 2:30AM, the Portland Pilot arrived in Penobscot Bay. Captain Alexander and his wife (both at the helm) were finally moving her to her new home in Rockport, Maine. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

Her masts removed, her ironwork gone, and her hull sanded down, the Portland Pilot  doesn't look like much. The time had come to start making her shine again.  Photo credit: Captain Alexander

Her masts removed, her ironwork gone, and her hull sanded down, the Portland Pilot doesn't look like much. The time had come to start making her shine again. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

In July 1970, the T imberwind  was finally unveiled along with her beautiful new colors of white and gray. Although months of work on her interior are ahead, she's on her way to becoming a new silhouette on the Penobscot Bay horizon.  P

In July 1970, the Timberwind was finally unveiled along with her beautiful new colors of white and gray. Although months of work on her interior are ahead, she's on her way to becoming a new silhouette on the Penobscot Bay horizon. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

Taken during the rebuild in April of 1971, this photo shows a typical winter cover in place. These covers provide a fairly weather-proof place for work to be completed. You can see the water tanks lined up on the cabin top before they are settled i

Taken during the rebuild in April of 1971, this photo shows a typical winter cover in place. These covers provide a fairly weather-proof place for work to be completed. You can see the water tanks lined up on the cabin top before they are settled into their new homes down below. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

If it weren't for the VW bus in the background, it would be hard to differentiate between the year of this photo and her original build! These men are working on the new foremast which was actually the re-purposed mainmast. The new mainmast, made f

If it weren't for the VW bus in the background, it would be hard to differentiate between the year of this photo and her original build! These men are working on the new foremast which was actually the re-purposed mainmast. The new mainmast, made from a Maine spruce, is in the far background, propped up on sawhorses behind the little house. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

On June 21st, 1971, the Timberwind  made her first sail into the Bay. As you can see, she had lost the Marconi mainsail (triangular-shaped) of her early days in favor of becoming a gaff-rigged schooner.  Photo credit: Captain Alexander

On June 21st, 1971, the Timberwind made her first sail into the Bay. As you can see, she had lost the Marconi mainsail (triangular-shaped) of her early days in favor of becoming a gaff-rigged schooner. 

Photo credit: Captain Alexander

 By 1976, she'd gained another sail, a main topsail, creating an even more beautiful sight on the Bay.  Throughout Her windjammer years, the Timberwind  continued to sail out of Rockport, ME and it was not until Spring of 2015 that

 By 1976, she'd gained another sail, a main topsail, creating an even more beautiful sight on the Bay.  Throughout Her windjammer years, the Timberwind continued to sail out of Rockport, ME and it was not until Spring of 2015 that She came to Belfast, ME.

Photo credit: Elizabeth Poisson

Today the Schooner Timberwind is operated by Maine Day Sail from Thompson's Wharf in Belfast, ME.  Maine Day Sail offers 2, 4, and 6 hour day sail trips and charters for up to 35 passengers. Additionally, new in 2017, a Stewardship through Me

Today the Schooner Timberwind is operated by Maine Day Sail from Thompson's Wharf in Belfast, ME.  Maine Day Sail offers 2, 4, and 6 hour day sail trips and charters for up to 35 passengers. Additionally, new in 2017, a Stewardship through Membership Program has been started with the goal of rebuilding and endowing the Schooner Timberwind by 2022.  Photo by Neal Parrent.

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The Schooner  Timberwind  began her life as the  Portland Pilot  in 1931. Built in the city of her namesake, she is 96' from the front tip of her bowsprit to the end tip of her main boom with 70' on deck. Cecil Abbott of the Pil
The framework on the  Timberwind  has held true since the days of her original build.
Building a wooden vessel takes many hands, great skill, and a heck of a lot of timber. Her hull is built entirely from oak framing while her decks are planks of cedar.  Photo credit: Captain Alexander
The day of her launch, October 3, 1931 from Brown's Wharf, Portland, Maine. Her draft, or the depth of the vessel's hull, is a stout 10'6".  This was certainly helpful in the winter months when she was off-shore in the nasty wea
The  Portland Pilot  was a beauty on the water. As you can see from this photo, she has two smokestacks for her gasoline engines, which had been installed in 1933. This engine power made the  Portland Pilot  able to do her duty
Oh yes-- that's ice coating the shrouds and cap rail. Even in the freezing Maine winters, the  Portland Pilot  would stay hard at work. 
Hard at work near her station at the present-day Cape Elizabeth Light tower. 
This photo, taken in '59 or '60, shows an unusual mainsail in that it was without gaff or boom and was used to keep the bow pointing into the wind rather than for forward movement. 
In 1969, the  Portland Pilot  was purchased by Captain William Alexander and his wife Julie, but before signing the papers, the vessel had to be taken in for a buyer's survey, or a boat's equivalent of a "look under the hood". This p
After motoring from Portland, Maine since 2:30AM, the  Portland Pilot  arrived in Penobscot Bay. Captain Alexander and his wife (both at the helm) were finally moving her to her new home in Rockport, Maine.  Photo credit:
Her masts removed, her ironwork gone, and her hull sanded down, the Portland Pilot  doesn't look like much. The time had come to start making her shine again.  Photo credit: Captain Alexander
In July 1970, the T imberwind  was finally unveiled along with her beautiful new colors of white and gray. Although months of work on her interior are ahead, she's on her way to becoming a new silhouette on the Penobscot Bay horizon.  P
Taken during the rebuild in April of 1971, this photo shows a typical winter cover in place. These covers provide a fairly weather-proof place for work to be completed. You can see the water tanks lined up on the cabin top before they are settled i
If it weren't for the VW bus in the background, it would be hard to differentiate between the year of this photo and her original build! These men are working on the new foremast which was actually the re-purposed mainmast. The new mainmast, made f
On June 21st, 1971, the Timberwind  made her first sail into the Bay. As you can see, she had lost the Marconi mainsail (triangular-shaped) of her early days in favor of becoming a gaff-rigged schooner.  Photo credit: Captain Alexander
 By 1976, she'd gained another sail, a main topsail, creating an even more beautiful sight on the Bay.  Throughout Her windjammer years, the Timberwind  continued to sail out of Rockport, ME and it was not until Spring of 2015 that
Today the Schooner Timberwind is operated by Maine Day Sail from Thompson's Wharf in Belfast, ME.  Maine Day Sail offers 2, 4, and 6 hour day sail trips and charters for up to 35 passengers. Additionally, new in 2017, a Stewardship through Me