As we start out on this new venture of writing a blog for the museum, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to follow the adventures of Board Member Mark Siegenthaler and his daughter Megan as they travel from (and through) Florida and up the east coast of the United States to deliver a new-to-us, 1937, diesel powered, wooden trawler to add to the collection and programs here at the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum.
So we'll start with a little bit about the boat, and tomorrow, we'll catch up with Mark and Megan on their travels (they're on Day 6 today) - They've been checking in daily and sending along photos of their journey -- looks like they've been having a great time in spite of some shallow waters, an anticipated but cancelled Space Shuttle launch viewing, and a bit of weather!
About Polaris:
Polaris is a 47', double-ended, rugged, North Sea trawler-type vessel. She holds 150 gallons of fuel and 80 gallons of water to keep the crew on the move and hydrated. Built in 1937, she recently underwent a full hull, deck, and system restoration. Massively built, Polaris is No. 5 of the Pacific Pilot series built by Star Shipyards of British Columbia to navigate the extreme conditions of the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest. From 1937 to 1974, she worked for Pilotage Authorities and from ’74 to ’92, she worked towing logs on the Columbia River and in Alaska. In 1992, the vessel was sailed to Seattle and sold to the Jose Cuervo tequila company. They subsequently trucked her to the East Coast and operated the boat between Maine and Florida as a promotional/party vessel.
In 2007, she was purchased for a restoration hobby project and restored from the keel up over a two year period for personal use. She is powered with a factory rebuilt Detroit 6-71N diesel, has a bow thruster, genset, air conditioning, diesel heat, all new electronics, wiring, plumbing, tanks, steering, galley, etc. She was awarded “Best Restoration With respect to ‘Original Design Intent” at the prestigious Mystic Seaport Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous at 2010.
Polaris had been on the market for a bit when Captain Mark met her owner, Peter Elsaesser. They started chatting about boats (what else!) and Mark mentioned what a wonderful place the museum for classic and unusual vessels. One thing lead to another, and Mr. Elsaesser decided that his lovely wooden boat would be much happier plying the cold Atlantic waters of Penobscot Bay, and he offered to donate Polaris to SPSM!
A Great Addition to the Museum
We’re still looking at programming for this wonderful vessel, but we already have some fun ideas in the works that we’ll share with you as plans proceed. But if you received our recent newsletter, you already know that we’ve been meeting with Sea Scouts of America to add the museum and Rockland Harbor as the midcoast home for their new Ship (troop). We can just imagine the fun that everyone will have with Polaris!
We are so grateful to Mr. Elsaesser for his thoughtfulness and generosity. We look forward to putting this beauty back to work, and we certainly hope that he will one day take a trip to Maine for a visit!
So we'll start with a little bit about the boat, and tomorrow, we'll catch up with Mark and Megan on their travels (they're on Day 6 today) - They've been checking in daily and sending along photos of their journey -- looks like they've been having a great time in spite of some shallow waters, an anticipated but cancelled Space Shuttle launch viewing, and a bit of weather!
About Polaris:
Polaris is a 47', double-ended, rugged, North Sea trawler-type vessel. She holds 150 gallons of fuel and 80 gallons of water to keep the crew on the move and hydrated. Built in 1937, she recently underwent a full hull, deck, and system restoration. Massively built, Polaris is No. 5 of the Pacific Pilot series built by Star Shipyards of British Columbia to navigate the extreme conditions of the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest. From 1937 to 1974, she worked for Pilotage Authorities and from ’74 to ’92, she worked towing logs on the Columbia River and in Alaska. In 1992, the vessel was sailed to Seattle and sold to the Jose Cuervo tequila company. They subsequently trucked her to the East Coast and operated the boat between Maine and Florida as a promotional/party vessel.
In 2007, she was purchased for a restoration hobby project and restored from the keel up over a two year period for personal use. She is powered with a factory rebuilt Detroit 6-71N diesel, has a bow thruster, genset, air conditioning, diesel heat, all new electronics, wiring, plumbing, tanks, steering, galley, etc. She was awarded “Best Restoration With respect to ‘Original Design Intent” at the prestigious Mystic Seaport Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous at 2010.
Polaris had been on the market for a bit when Captain Mark met her owner, Peter Elsaesser. They started chatting about boats (what else!) and Mark mentioned what a wonderful place the museum for classic and unusual vessels. One thing lead to another, and Mr. Elsaesser decided that his lovely wooden boat would be much happier plying the cold Atlantic waters of Penobscot Bay, and he offered to donate Polaris to SPSM!
A Great Addition to the Museum
We’re still looking at programming for this wonderful vessel, but we already have some fun ideas in the works that we’ll share with you as plans proceed. But if you received our recent newsletter, you already know that we’ve been meeting with Sea Scouts of America to add the museum and Rockland Harbor as the midcoast home for their new Ship (troop). We can just imagine the fun that everyone will have with Polaris!
We are so grateful to Mr. Elsaesser for his thoughtfulness and generosity. We look forward to putting this beauty back to work, and we certainly hope that he will one day take a trip to Maine for a visit!
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