The Black Dog Captain’s Journal

Vineyard Haven, MA - The Black Dog Tall Ships “Sailing School” program continues to expand in 2010.  As described in a past journal entry, (http://70.32.113.196/captains/?p=127) the main goal of the Sailing School is to bring students, schools and organizations onboard the schooners Shenandoah and Alabama and learn the maritime heritage and tradition that we continue, the skills required to sail these ships and the fun of living on the water.  Since the early 1990’s we have offered these Sailing School programs, and locally, the elementary schools from Martha’s Vineyard have all participated.  Offering local kids the opportunity to share this experience with their friends and classmates is definately one of the biggest benefits of this program.  My hope is that is gives them a different perspective on the history of their island home and exposes them to something very special which they may have never gotten the chance to experience if not for this program.  Its a pleasure to offer these trips the discounted rates that are provided through the Black Dog Tall Ships Sailing School…

This year, for the first time, we are very happy to host a Sail Martha’s Vineyard program onboard the Alabama.  Since its creation in 1991, Sail MV has run programs each summer giving local kids and seasonal residents instruction from the ground up as well as paving the way for the M.V High School’s competitive sailing team.  Now through this program, Sail MV members will apply their skills and experience to a five-day voyage on a traditional schooner and local sailing icon.

I believe that this program is a longtime coming… The shared missions of both the Black Dog Tall Ships Company and Sail Martha’s Vineyard lay the framework for an extremely successful partnership.  Both of us believe in preserving our island’s heritage and passing it along to future generations in a way that is exciting, engaging, fun and safe!

On Monday, July 12th Sail MV members will set sail out of Vineyard Haven for this four-night voyage, sailing each day between Nantucket and Block Island and spending each evening tucked away in the harbors and coves of Southeast New England.  The program wraps up in Friday afternoon when the Alabama and her passengers, including the Sail MV “crew” participate in day 1 of the annual Vineyard Cup regatta.  For program details please visit the Sail MV website (http://www.sailmv.com/grafx/Sail_Training_Program_Description_1.pdf).

Stay in touch at www.theblackdogtallships.com for more updates on the Black Dog Tall Ships and developments for the 2010 season.

Captain Morgan Douglas

As you may be aware, following her launch on Valentine’s Day 1964, the Shenandoah began operating each season as a member of the New England “windjammers” - traditional ships offering week-long sailing excursions to adults, families and groups each summer.  Nearly thirty years later, as the reservations slowed throughout the industry and as her competitors started to transition towards other types of work, namely sail training, Captain Douglas decided to begin offering discounted programs onboard his beloved schooner to the local schools here on the island of Martha’s Vineyard.  There was an immediate positive response both from the students and teachers, but also from Captain Douglas himself.  This new energy and success of the school program created the question “how many other children can we bring onboard and share our excitement for sailing this schooner and the history that it represents?”

Done sailing for the day, the Shenandoah drops anchor for the night in Menemsha.

The answer resulted in the creation of the Black Dog Tall Ships “Kids Cruise” program…

Beginning in the 1994 season, young passengers between the ages of 9 and 16 years old started replacing the families and individuals who had traditionally sailed onboard the “windjammer” excursions.  Some things changed immediately onboard while some others stayed the same.  The ship’s flags were sent to the mastheads at 0700 as usual, but now the knots on the halyard were tied by a youngster under the watchful eye of one of the ship’s crew.  Every aspect of operating, living and sailing onboard the Shenandoah became a shared experience between the young passengers, the captain and the crew.  Lighting the anchor light, taking turns at the wheel with Captain Douglas, furling sail, helping to plot a course and clearing the main saloon’s tables all became part of the daily routine shared by all onboard.  In this sense, the Kids Cruise program is a true throwback to how a coastal schooner like the Shenandoah would have operated over a century ago where the tasks and skills necessary to make the ship work are part of a learned experience.  Senior crew lead each passenger though an apprenticeship to bring everyone into the fold and make this environment one that allows everyone to feel like they are truly part of the team.

Line instruction while underway on the Alabama.

But its not all instruction onboard all the time…  Part of the fun comes from swims over the side, expeditions ashore with the crew for ice cream, hikes on the nearby islands and their beaches or just hanging out and playing cards with friends.

What hasn’t changed?  Well, since her first cruise the Shenandoah has sought to provide a first-class experience afloat.  Cozy warm bunks, delicious meals, clean and tidy cabins but most importantly professional, personable and accomodating crew.  All of these elements allowed the Black Dog Tall Ships to transition to an operation which is truly unique when it comes to the type of experience we strive to provide - a FUN, safe experience onboard two of the finest schooners anywhere!  This is what allows the Shenandoah and Alabama to easily transition from carrying up to 30 kids one day a wedding event the next…

“Kids Cruises” are now the foundation of what we do as a company.  As the privately-run company of its founder, Captain Bob Douglas, The Black Dog Tall Ships continues only with the success of this program along with the other experiences we offer including the Sailing School, our day and sunset sails, private charters and the Black Dog Tall Ships Tour. In fact, one of the major reasons why the schooner Alabama was recommissioned was due to the success of the “Kids Cruise” program (good material for a future Captain’s Journal entry). 

In 2010, the Black Dog Tall Ships will offer seven Kids Cruise programs.  In some past seasons these have completely sold out!  As of now we are steadily taking reservations for this years’ trips and are looking forward to another fantastic year.  For more information on this program please visit the new website at www.theblackdogtallships.com and send an email to office@theblackdogtallships.com.  Be sure to ask about our “bring a friend” referral promotion!

Hope to talk to you soon, or better yet - to welcome you onboard this coming season.  All the best,

Captain Morgan Douglas

Vineyard Haven, MA -  As you may be aware, in terms of overnight week-long programs, the Black Dog Tall Ships Co. began carrying child and teenage passengers almost exclusively in 1994.  This transition from the “wind jammer” trade began with the Black Dog Tall Ships offering 5.5 day programs to each of the five Martha’s Vineyard elementary schools which continues through today…  Onboard the Shenandoah, these local students and with their classmates participate in a week of instruction, activities and hands-on participation as they live on and learn to operate the schooner that hs been part of their island since it arrived in Vineyard Haven in 1964.

Students help with stowing the ship's deck after setting sail

The benefit of carrying local students and classes was obvious to Captain Bob Douglas from the beginning.  “The energy that they bring onboard is pretty amazing, but as an the ships’ owner, my greatest joy is in getting to share my passion for this ship, the history and heritage it represents with youngsters from this island.”  The success of this school program, and the “Kids Cruise” summer camps which followed is the foundation for the Black Dog Tall Ships Company - carried out each season onboard the schooners Shenandoah and Alabama.

Now in the year 2010, the Black Dog Tall Ships Sailing School Program reflects the growth of the Black Dog Tavern Company over the past decade.  Since the expansion of the brand and the opening of Black Dog General Stores to the communities of Cape Cod, Nantucket, Newport, Newburyport,  Mystic, Portland and Annapolis the annual Black Dog Tall Ships Tour has brought the schooners to these and other communities throughout New England each season.  One of the main functions of this office is to expand on the Sailing School Program so that the schools and organizations of these areas can participate and sail onboard the Shenandoah and Alabama just as our island students have for more than fifteen years.

Students from Nantucket's Lighthouse School learn how to run the Alabama's fore deck and ship's bell.

Over the past few years the Sailing School has brought scores of classes, schools and organizations from these communities onboard for field trips, day sails, overnight and multi-day programs.  Consistent with Captain Douglas’s mission to expand the Sailing School and to allow as many to come onboard as possible, we offer these programs at a near 50% discount versus our Kids Cruises and standard charter rates.  We continue our outreach to the communities of our Black Dog General Stores and beyond.  So far the efforts this off-season have yielded some terrific results as we have brought a handful of schools and regional and national organizations into the fold for 2010.  Stay tuned for details as some of these collaborations will allow for more families and customers to come onboard for these amazing Sailing School programs.  Details to follow in future posts…

In the meantime, make sure to visit the Black Dog Tall Ships on our new website at www.theblackdogtallships.com and on www.facebook.com

All the best,

Captain Morgan Douglas

New Year's Eve morning 2009

Vineyard Haven, MA - Another year is in the books…  Before I walk out if the office tonight I want to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year from the Black Dog Tall Ships.  No nor’easter blasting the windows here this evening - just a beutiful, calm night here on the harbor with a full moon rising over East Chop.

2010 will begin when the clock strikes 12 tonight, but planning for next season began before the ships were laid up this past fall.  Already, Kids Cruise reservations are being made, wedding charters set up, BD Tall Ship Tour events planned, the return of Concert Cruises and more…!  A big “thank you” is in order to all our friends, customers and fans for your business and support in the past and we look forward to seeing you again next year along the waterfront.

2010 will include some amazing experiences for the Black Dog Tall Ships as we build upon the past success of our programs - so stay in touch through the Captain’s Journal.  Our newly-designed website has just gone live - check in at www.theblackdogtallships.com 

Happy New Year everybody.  Talk to you soon,

Captain Morgan Douglas

s/v Alabama

December 20th on Vineyard Haven Harbor

A wind is rustling “south and soft,”

Cooing a quiet country tune,

The calm sea sighs, and far aloft

The sails are ghostly in the moon.

Unquiet ripples lisp and purr,

A block there pipes and chirps i’ the sheave,

The wheel-ropes jar, the reef-points stir

Faintly - and it is Christmas Eve.

The hushed sea seems to hold her breath,

And o’er the giddy, swaying spars,

Silent and excellent as Death,

The dim blue skies are bright with stars.

Dear God - they shone in Palestine

Like this, and jon pale moon serene

Looked down among the lowing kine

On Mary and the Nazerene.

The angels called from deep to deep,

The burning heavens felt the thrill,

Startling the flocks of silly sheep

And lonely shepherds on the hill.

To-night beneath the dripping bows,

Where flashing bubbles burst and throng,

The bow-wash murmers and sighs and soughs

A message from the angels’ song.

The moon goes nodding down the west,

The drowsy helmsman strikes the bell;

Rex Judxorum natus est,

I charge you, sing Nowell,

Nowell,

Rex Judxorum natus est.

Merry Christmas to you from the Black Dog Tall Ships…

Captain Morgan Douglas

s/v Alabama

Vineyard Haven, MA - What is it with the Captain’s Journal? Everytime I’m writing a new entry a post lately we’re getting hammered by an Easterly storm???  Today is no different…  Hopefully the Christmas trees at the schooner’s masthead can withstand the gale that’s forecasted for tonight, which leads me to Christmas Stroll…

It was once a traditional practice for the schooners, windjammers and ships of a century ago to set Christmas trees atop their masts each year during this time.  The Black Dog Tall Ships fleet continues this as a tribute to the sailors and ships of the past as well as a welcome to the holiday season here on Vineyard Haven harbor.  This year, just like the past two, Alabama’s trees were run up the main and foremast during the trip down to Nantucket harbor as we prepaired for the weekend-long event.  By the time we rounded Brant Point the trees were up and the lights were on!

In my last post I said that I would toast the Gloucester fishermen who would have spent December nights out on the banks as they fished throughout the winter.  Well, the cup of cheer had to wait a bit because Old Man Winter paid us a visit last weekend.  During Saturday’s open house we greeted all visitors down below with fresh Black Dog bakery cookies, hot cider and Rob’s chicken soup.  On deck it was a different story…  A slow easterly wind started lazily and slowly picked up throughout the day.  By sunset the wind had kicked up to about 25 plus knots and by midnight we were in a full gale!  But Nantucket harbor and Straight Wharf were good to us and the schooner, and besides for the screech of the wind through the rig all night long all was safe and sound…

Regardless of the wind and weather, Christmas Stroll was a great way to end the 2009 season.  Shoppers and visitors came to the island en masse over the weekend and the spirit of the season was in the air for sure…  I was happy to get the schooner down again and bring one and all onboard to learn the story of the Black Dog Tall Ships.  This event brings an end to the ‘09 Tall Ships Tour on a high note.  Tour stops and events are already being scheduled for next season that will build on the success of what has become an annual tradition.  Stay tuned for details…

Sometime in the next week or so, and possibly with the next Nor’easter, the rain coming down outside will have changed to snow.  The heart of the off-season will creep up on Martha’s Vineyard during these shortest days of the year…  But right here in Black Dog Tall Ships headquarters at the head of the harbor, we’ll be hard at work prepairing for 2010 and beyond.  So if you see the lights on, come knock on the door and we’ll head down to the Black Dog Water Street Bakery for a cup of Captain’s Blend java and talk about the days to come and the ones we’ve already had.  From myself and the senior Captain, a very Merry Christmas to you…

Captain Morgan Douglas

s/v Alabama

Vineyard Haven, MA - Hard to believe that its this time of year again, but truthfully its one that I’ve been looking forward to for a while now…  This weekend, we’ll load up the Alabama one more time and head down to Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll weekend.  This event was added to the Tall Ship Tour a couple years ago and instantly became the favorite - trees at the masthead, Christmas lights strung through the rig and a ton of holiday cheer…  During this two-day event the magic of Christmas onboard the Alabama and throughout downtown Nantucket is unmistakable.  Carols coming from the ipod dock, hot cider on the galley stove, a steady flow of chicken soup and fresh BD ginger cookies coming from the oven…  With frozen temps up on deck and a warm cabin below its a great reminder to me of what a sanctuary the ship’s galley and focs’le would be onboard a fishing schooner like the Alabama when she was off the banks during an early winter trip hunting for halibut and cod… I’ll be sure to toast the banks schoonermen who came first and be thankful for the legacy that they’ve left for us.

For those who have visited us before and to those who have never attended Christmas Stroll, we here at the Black Dog and the Black Dog Tall Ships send out an open invitation to you.  It’s an amazing event…  With a chance of snow already in the forecast for Saturday night we’re looking in good shape for a great way to bookend the 2009 season.  Looking forward to inviting you onboard.  Merry Christmas…

Captain Morgan Douglas

s/v Alabama

Vineyard Haven, MA - As another Fall Nor’Easter batters Vineyard Haven harbor and rain pelts the windows of the Black Dog Tall Ships headquarters it’s easy for my mind to fall back on the past season and the ones before…  The flags haven’t flown for over a week now as all the 2009 season’s crew have departed a while ago and the bunks on both schooners are empty.  This year, two of America’s finest schooners participated in our sailing school programs, Kids Cruises, hosted Grammy-award winners for concert cruises, were cites for wedding ceremonies and much, much more…  None of this would have been possible without the outstanding Black Dog Tall Ships crew.

Many of the deckhands, mates and cooks have sailed with us for more than a single season and have become deeply rooted in the success of this company over the past few seasons.  Speaking to parents of “Kids Cruisers” on the phone while they’re signing up their son or daughter, one of the most frequent questions I get is, “will Casey be back as crew again this year?”  The relationships that get forged while spending a week onboard one of our ships together as shipmates is one of the greatest benefits of our programs, and the crew’s passion for spending time with our young passengers is directly related to the success of them.

This post is a big “thank you” to all the crew from 2009.  What the Black Dog Tall Ships provides our customers is a set of very special experiences - from the bride and groom stepping onboard for their nuptuals, to a 5th grader who is joining us for his or her first sail ever and everyone in between…  The growth of this company and our programs is directly related to the professional, enthusiastic and dedicated crew which man our vessels.  You are all not only sailing with our present-day customers and passengers, but you are continuing the traditions of America’s sailing past - the dream of Captain Robert Douglas when he began sailing the Shenandoah out of this port back in 1964.

I wish you all nothing but the best of luck and success in your next endeavors.  All the best to each of you and thanks again,

Captain Morgan Douglas

s/v ALABAMA

Vineyard Haven, MA - The Alabama returned from Newport yesterday afternoon and picked up the mooring for the next-to-last trip of the ‘09 calendar year.  Our trip to Newport over the weekend to participate in the 20th annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival.  Today the weather is clear, dry and sunny… The weather since halfway through the trip over on Thursday was pretty brutal as back-to-back Nor’easters slammed New England.  The window in between these storms allowed for a great day for our Black Dog Tall Ships event in Saturday.

The skies cleared and the rain stopped as we welcomed a steady flow of visitors onboard the famous schooner.  The galley was the busiest place due to the sub 40 degree conditions on deck and the stove kept the hot cider and cookies coming at a good clip to keep up…  I had a great time introducing everyone to the schooner and her history.  On a cold fall day like that it was easy to make the connection to our sailing forefathers onboard fishing schooners in the dark of winter, offshore when the ship’s focesle was the only sanctuary from the freezing weather on deck or out in the dories…  I kept that in mind on Sunday night when the wind was blowing a steady 40 knots out of the north east and was thankful to be tied up to a good dock in the lee.  Many thanks to everyone at Bannister’s Wharf for hosting us again and allowing up to put on another great event in Newport, RI.

The trip back yesterday was awesome.  The sun came back for the first time since we left and it made for a nice last day onboard for the crew who are all headed on to other projects.  I was reminded again of how lucky I am to operate these ships and be a part of this company.  Of course the trip back up the Sound was bitter sweet, but the energy will be focused now on the 2010 season and beyond.  What will next season hold for the Black Dog Tall Ships Fleet?  Certain things are in the works that will for sure make it one of the best yet - stay tuned to the Captain’s Journal and www.theblackdogtallships.com.

And with that, the season is now officially wrapped up.  Oh yeah, except for Christmas Stroll over on Nantucket!  See you there!

Captain Morgan Douglas

s/v ALABAMA

Vineyard Haven, MA -  The sails are in the shed and the bunks of the Alabama’s main saloon are filled with Lunenburg Foundry blocks and the ship’s running rigging instead of mattresses and the belongings of our passengers. Lay up in underway for the schooner Alabama and the sailing season is officially wrapped up…

A Fall sunset over Alabama's stern

This past weekend’s overnight cruise to Nantucket was a mixed bag.  Saturday morning started out as the worst weather I’ve seen around here in a long time - especially when the destination was Nantucket Harbor.  Cranking southeast wind and torrential downpours lasted throughout the morning and the passenger’s boarding, but the weather would clear for the trip down… After making it to Tuckernuck shoal under power, the schooner’s “lowers” were set and we tacked our way up to the harbor’s entrance sipping the chef’s hot cider all the way.  Following a great dinner onboard, the guests went ashore and took in a night in town before returning to the ship and their bunks for the night.  The next morning I was up early with coffee on deck with the cook and caught a full moon setting over the buildings in town.  Again, after a great breakfast in the main saloon the passengers spent a morning in town before we got underway for home - a mix of motor sailing and sailing under full sail with a nice dry northerly breeze.  A really nice ending to the ‘09 season…

Now the crew and I have been stripping down the rig and getting things oiled this week before our next dockside event.  Due to some unforseen developments, the Columbus Day weekend event scheduled for Hyannis has been cancelled.  But we’re getting ready to fire up the engines and slip the mooring next week when we head down to Newport for our only visit of the season.  Be sure to come down to Bannister’s Wharf during the Rhode Island Seafood Festival for our free dockside tours and promotions in the Black Dog General Store…  I’m looking forward to catching some Red Sox games from Mudville Pub! Go Sox!!!  See you then,

Captain Morgan Douglas

s/v ALABAMA