BLACKBIRD

Vessel Owner: Sandy and Peter Thompson

Captain and Crew: Peter & Sandy Thompson

Vessel Make: John G. Alden

Vessel Model: Design Number 309Q

Year Built: 1930

Vessel Type: Auxiliary Centerboard Schooner

LOA: 52' (sparred length)

LOD: 43' 3"

Beam: 12' 6"

Draft: 4' 3" (board up)

BLACKBIRD, a centerboard schooner popular in the late 1920s, is 92 years old and is the last built of 17 sister ships. All the 309s were built by the Goudy and Steven’s yard in East Boothbay. She was built for Myron Arms during the Great Depression in 1930 for $10,000 and delivered to Marion Massachusetts on July 4th. She underwent a 15,000-hour restoration from 2000-2015 by her current owners who were married aboard in 1993 and have owned her for 29 years. She retains her original hull, cabin house, rig, interior and most importantly her name. Frank Luke of PE Luke in East Boothbay fabricated many of her replacement structural fittings such as floors, knees, centerboard hardware and graciously provided valuable advice throughout the project. Her second owner from 1931-1934 was Arthur Veasey who kept her at Squirrel Island in the summer. She is a survivor of the 1938 Hurricane where she sunk at the docks of the Essex CT yacht club while owned by Commodore Hubert Toppin. She has since enjoyed sailing the coast of New England as a much beloved family cruising yacht and is easily handled by two. Her homeport is Freeport Maine.