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American Pride
Length 129' loa
Beam: 21'
Sail: 4900 sq. '
Tons: 200
The "American Pride" is an historic, 129' three-masted schooner,
built in 1941 by Muller Boat Works in Brooklyn, New York. As a two-masted
"schooner dragger", she spent over forty years fishing the offshore
grounds, notably: the Grand Banks and the George's Banks. Her career spanned the
New England ports of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Rockland, Maine, and then down
to Gloucester, Massachusetts.
In January 1986, the "American Pride" (then named the "Lady in
Blue", was brought to Thomaston, Maine where work space was leased at the
site of the old Wallace Shipyard, one of the last commercial yards to work on
large wooden vessels. From June 1986 to July 1987, using a crew of dedicated
boat carpenters, the "American Pride" (then renamed the "Natalie
Todd") was built into a three-masted schooner for the windjammer trade. The
vessel was gutted down to a bare shell, minus decks, engines, machinery,
bulwarks, interior and then rebuilt from the basic hull, which was sound. All
the work had to be done to meet U.S. Coast Guard standards for passenger
vessels. Four new watertight bulkheads were installed along with additional
floor timbers, almost all new deck frames, and an entire new deck, bulwarks,
interior, rig, machinery, etc..
The "American Pride" operated out of New England as one of only two
three-masted schooners in that area. Wooden vessels require continual
maintenance.
In October 1996, the "American Pride" was purchased by the American
Heritage Marine Institute based in Southern California. The "American
Pride" left Bar Harbor, Maine on October 17, 1996 for the 8,500 mile trip
to her new home in Alamitos Bay, California. On her third day at sea, she and
the crew were greeted with a gale that forced them to seek refuge in her old
home port of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The previous owners were glad to see
their once proud fishing vessel again out on the high seas. The ship fought her
way down the eastern sea board against numerous storms and foul weather. Once
clear of Miami, she entered foreign waters for the first time, with clear
sailing through the Panama Canal and up the western coast. The once successful
fishing schooner now begins a new life educating school children, chartering
private parties, and continuing the public's awareness of traditional
seamanship.
The American Heritage Marine Institute is dedicated to maintaining the ship,
offering educational programs aboard and promoting awareness of traditional
seamanship. The main goal is to reach school children through various
"living history" programs, where through role-plaiying, students step
back in time to the 1800's and recreate the life of a sailor of that time. All
programs are age appropriate and incorporate history, math and science in a
maritime environment. The programs encourage teamwork, good communication,
problem-solving skills, and leadership -- all the while having fun.
The American Heritage Marine Institute strives to keep the cost affordable
for all students and offers programs at no cost to students that qualify for a
"scholarship". We are developing additional programs for "at
risk" children and attempt to make a positive impact on these young people.
We also are active participants in the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the vessel
stands ready to fulfill a youngster's fantasy or wish.
We have a strong volunteer support group that generously gives of time,
talent and resources in support of the programs and American Pride.
For more information, email us at: mornobbs@flash.net or call 714-970-8800.
Information from Tom Nobbs and Karen Morrice
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