Schooner in Port Huron, Mich.

[Doug Canada]

I while ago I remember hearing about a schooner that was restored & moored in Port Huron, Michigan.
Is it still there?
Do they run charters?
A website?
Related to the "Bluenose"?

Looking for information on it

Thanks,
Doug

[Gary Bergman]

Dunno if this is who yer lookin' for, but HIGHLANDER SEA is a gaff tops'l schooner built by Starling Burgess and ported in Port Huron.

Try Here (http://www.achesonadventures.com)

[mmd]

If the ship in question is indeed the Highlander Sea, I can offer some information on her.

http://www.tallshipstock.com/00EL16.jpg

No, they do not run charters on her, she is a sort of sail training vessel used for "character development, teamwork, and community citizenship for the people of Port Huron, in particular its youth, through leadership and training."

Their website is here. (http://www.achesonventures.com/highlandersea.asp)

No, there is no direct connection to the Bluenose other than her age and heritage are similar. Highlander Sea was designed by Burgess, built by Storey of Essex as Pilot and served as a pilot boat in Boston for most of her life. She was sold out of service to California where she operated as a dude schooner for twenty-five years. In 1997(?) she was purchased by Secunda Marine Services (a shipping company involved primarily in offshore oil support & supply) of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to be used as a training vessel for Secunda's ship's crews and as a corporate yacht. Secunda extensively refitted her, including adding the aft pilothouse designed by yours truly. Secunda sold her to Acheson Ventures in 2002.

[Dave Hadfield]

We cruised past Highlander Sea several years ago in Georgian Bay. Wonderful vessel. She'd have given Bluenose a run for her money -- they're contemporaries. The later I spoke to her skipper at the dock in Penetanguishene. He re-enforced that impression.

The schooner looked to me to be in very good shape at that time, at least above decks, but this summer we saw her on the hard as we sailed past Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. Later, after we docked, I borrowed a bicycle and had a closer look -- she was having major surgery done. Much of her hull planking was removed, many frames and main structural members were being replaced and there was a lot of activity going on. A commercial boatyard was doing the work -- not volunteers, as far as I could tell.

I sure hope all goes well. She has a beautiful shape.

[Paul Scheuer]

She is a sweetheart. Here in Chicago River.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/pacd456eabc2f35e3ac7b9fa1df052169/fb7b32e3.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/p9658cf16b1cfdf042908a937b9000161/fb7b32e9.jpg

[arcticship]

Are you referring to Blue Dolphin perhaps?