Spirit of South Carolina to be launched (140' schooner)

[rbgarr]

http://www.scmaritime.org/news.php?id=45

[brian.cunningham]

good looking vessel
http://www.scmaritime.org/images/9-29-157-timeline.jpg

[bamamick]

She will no doubt go well through her paces.

The grand day finally approaches.

Mickey Lake

[shark_ef]

hey! that's my roomie!

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Sentinel Structures, Inc. made some white oak glued laminated members for this ship - just two weeks ago. I actually don't know what we made for her. Also just made some white oak laminated members for the "Highlander Sea" and will be making some for the "Bounty" being built in Maine. And of course, we're always making something for Old Ironsides.

Andreas

[Thad Van Gilder]

Importantly, Is she like the virginia in that the deck is over a plywood subdeck????


-Thad

[lajackson]

Importantly, Is she like the virginia in that the deck is over a plywood subdeck????


-Thad

Yes. Spirit of South Carolina has a teak deck laid without mechanical fasteners over a subdeck of marine ply sheathed in epoxy.

[Lucky Luke]

What a Beauuuuuuuuuuty!!!!!! :):):) Cant wait to see her under sail!

But at the same time can t help feeling sorry for Ernestina:( Is South Carolina so much more rich than Massachussets????

[George Ray]

Spirit's Principal Dimensions
Rail length: 93.8 ft
Deck length: 90.7 ft
Waterline length: 88.0 ft
Overall length: 140 ft
Beam: 23.7 ft
Design draft: 10.3 ft
Displacement: 147.8 LTons
Capacity: 29
Speed: 12.5 knots [
http://www.charleston.net/multimedia/Spirit/images/002.jpg
Sam Upton (right) and Kenny Blyth work Thursday, March 1, 2007, on finishing touches to the Spirit of South Carolina before the ship is moved from under the tent in the shipyard. (Melissa Haneline/Staff)
http://www.charleston.net/multimedia/Spirit/images/017.jpg
http://www.charleston.net/multimedia/Spirit/images/016.jpg
http://scmaritime.org/gallery.html
http://www.gresham.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=5045

3/4/2007
The Spirit of South Carolina, a 140-foot, 150-ton "tall ship," will finally reach water at around noon today, marking the end of a remarkable seven-year process. Yet that event also will mark the beginning of a much longer journey.
The ship will sail to port cities around the world. It will, while here in its home port, be a special attraction that underscores our maritime history. And it will provide students, both those who travel and work aboard the ship and those who merely view it, with a vivid educational experience.
Thursday's extraordinary transfer of the ship from the mud of Ansonborough Field to more solid ground, accomplished with two 84-foot steel I-beams, a series of perpendicular carrying beams, 80 wheels, a hydraulic power unit, two tractors and a truck, was quite a spectacle. So was Friday's trip down Concord Street to the State Ports Authority's Union Pier. But the main event will be today's launch from that pier - not far from where the pilot schooner upon which the ship is modeled, the Frances Elizabeth, was built and launched 128 years ago.
As Charleston Harbor Society founder Bill Thomas-Moore, owner of the Shipshape Gallery, told our reporter, in those times such launches drew "quite a gathering of people." He added: "There would have been speeches made, and there would be a priest there and the ship would have been blessed. At a given time, the ship would slide into the water, and there would be cheers and a big celebration over it."
So fittingly, the Spirit of South Carolina will hit the water with similar fanfare as the "Charleston Giant" floating crane places it in the harbor. The public, for a $15 admission charge, can view the ship at the Charleston Maritime Center dock from 4-8 p.m. while celebrating to live music, barbecue and beverages.
Sea Island Boat Works owner Mark Bayne, the "master shipwright" in charge of building this ship, and the many other folks responsible for the success of this daunting project deserve considerable credit.
The Spirit of South Carolina stands - and will sail - as a vivid reminder of the rich shipbuilding heritage of our state and community.
http://v2.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=editorials&tableId=132961&pubDate=3/4/2007

http://www.charleston.net/multimedia/Spirit/images/014.jpg
http://www.charleston.net/multimedia/Spirit/images/011.jpg
http://www.charleston.net/multimedia/Spirit/images/005.jpg
Kenny Blyth uses a sledgehammer to pound in an I-bolt on board the Spirit of South Carolina Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007. (Mic Smith/Staff)

[Hwyl]

It's interesting that the director is the famous Single Hander Brad Van Liew

[shark_ef]

she launched amid fanfare,all is well thus far... she is now at the navy yard where rigigng will commense, still much to do on her, but much fun for all :)

[lajackson]

It's interesting that the director is the famous Single Hander Brad Van Liew

It's not just interesting, it's very important that Brad http://www.oceanracing.org/team.html works as Executive Director of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation.

Without Brad's organizational skills and tireless fundraising effort, the project might have never been finished. He is currently working to bring in the $700,000 needed to finish the ship and raise the rig. Brad's wife Meaghan also serves as Director of Development, Marketing, and Public Relations for the Foundation.

The Spirit of South Carolina building project has been funded almost entirely by private donations. Donation amounts range from $1 to $500,000. If you would like to help, please do!

Larry

[Concordia...41]

It's not just interesting, it's very important that Brad http://www.oceanracing.org/team.html works as Executive Director of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation.

Without Brad's organizational skills and tireless fundraising effort, the project might have never been finished. He is currently working to bring in the $700,000 needed to finish the ship and raise the rig. Brad's wife Meaghan also serves as Director of Development, Marketing, and Public Relations for the Foundation.

The Spirit of South Carolina building project has been funded almost entirely by private donations. Donation amounts range from $1 to $500,000. If you would like to help, please do!

Larry

Yes, I found the "Buy a Plank" idea so cute that I bought a couple of board feet, even with my own personal planking project to support. :D

http://www.scmaritime.org/support.html

They need a "Buy a Foot of Rigging" link now that she's in the water.

Congratulations to all on an amazing job!

- M

[Hwyl]

It's not just interesting, it's very important that Brad http://www.oceanracing.org/team.html works as Executive Director of the South Carolina Maritime Foundation.

Without Brad's organizational skills and tireless fundraising effort, the project might have never been finished. He is currently working to bring in the $700,000 needed to finish the ship and raise the rig. Brad's wife Meaghan also serves as Director of Development, Marketing, and Public Relations for the Foundation.

The Spirit of South Carolina building project has been funded almost entirely by private donations. Donation amounts range from $1 to $500,000. If you would like to help, please do!

Larry

Thanks LA, my "interesting" was meant as a compliment. I like different kinds of boats myself and have a loose business partnership with another famous singlehander.

[shark_ef]

hey all some pics (amatuer ones, mine) from teh launch
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shark_ef/SC/DSC00249.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shark_ef/SC/DSC00259.jpg
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shark_ef/SC/DSC00275.jpg

[shark_ef]

the rumour is they are dropping masts next thurs (in one week) but that is only whisperings and heresay