Help Schooner Lewis R. French thru the COVID storm
Donation protected
In partnership with many of our concerned guests who have asked us how they can donate to help the Lewis R. French, we have started this fundraiser.
Our family has owned and operated the Maine Windjammer Schooner Lewis R. French since 2004. Built in 1871, she currently takes 20 guests per cruise on multi-night sailing excursions to experience the thrill of sailing a traditionally rigged schooner among Maine’s remote islands.
This year we had to cancel our entire 2020 sailing season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancelling the season was an incredibly difficult decision. We spent months readying the boat, researching new onboard health protocols and working with the state to develop reopening guidelines. But with the realization that the pandemic would not abate this summer, we determined that there were too many risks for our guests, crew, family and business to safely operate. With this decision came the reality of losing 100% of our year’s revenue and a need to find a new path to keep her operational into next year (her 150th year!) and beyond.
Sailors pride themselves on being prepared. We nestled away money for large repairs that are inevitable on a big old wooden vessel. We realized a hurricane could temporarily halt our trips and saved for those potential emergencies. But we could never economically plan for a pandemic shutting us down for an entire season. We have received a loan from the SBA and have made as many budget cuts as possible but a vessel of this vintage requires constant investment to keep her maintained and Coast Guard licensed.
Launched in April of 1871, the Lewis R. French is America’s oldest commercial sailing vessel and a National Historic Landmark which will be celebrating her 150th birthday in 2021! She is the last remaining schooner built in Maine from the 1800’s. Amazingly, she has been quietly earning her keep along the Maine coast for a centuryand a half as the world has changed so dramatically around her. She has transitioned from sailing cargo to motoring cargo to sailing passengers to pay her way. And, thanks to a lot of hard work and a little luck, she has remained afloat and viable throughout her long life.
If you have enjoyed the Lewis R. French and would like to help, we would be ever grateful for your support during this unprecedented time. We have a goal of raising $25,000. This will go towards paying for the ongoing overhead during the lost season of 2020 and ship’s maintenance to prepare her for the 2021 150th Birthday season! We are so grateful for each of you who have sailed with us or supported us from ashore over the years and look forward to brighter horizons soon. #SmallBusinessRelief
Thank you,
Capts Garth and Jenny, and the boys
The French in the 1890's carrying cargo near Rockland
Our family has owned and operated the Maine Windjammer Schooner Lewis R. French since 2004. Built in 1871, she currently takes 20 guests per cruise on multi-night sailing excursions to experience the thrill of sailing a traditionally rigged schooner among Maine’s remote islands.
This year we had to cancel our entire 2020 sailing season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancelling the season was an incredibly difficult decision. We spent months readying the boat, researching new onboard health protocols and working with the state to develop reopening guidelines. But with the realization that the pandemic would not abate this summer, we determined that there were too many risks for our guests, crew, family and business to safely operate. With this decision came the reality of losing 100% of our year’s revenue and a need to find a new path to keep her operational into next year (her 150th year!) and beyond.
Sailors pride themselves on being prepared. We nestled away money for large repairs that are inevitable on a big old wooden vessel. We realized a hurricane could temporarily halt our trips and saved for those potential emergencies. But we could never economically plan for a pandemic shutting us down for an entire season. We have received a loan from the SBA and have made as many budget cuts as possible but a vessel of this vintage requires constant investment to keep her maintained and Coast Guard licensed.
Launched in April of 1871, the Lewis R. French is America’s oldest commercial sailing vessel and a National Historic Landmark which will be celebrating her 150th birthday in 2021! She is the last remaining schooner built in Maine from the 1800’s. Amazingly, she has been quietly earning her keep along the Maine coast for a centuryand a half as the world has changed so dramatically around her. She has transitioned from sailing cargo to motoring cargo to sailing passengers to pay her way. And, thanks to a lot of hard work and a little luck, she has remained afloat and viable throughout her long life.
If you have enjoyed the Lewis R. French and would like to help, we would be ever grateful for your support during this unprecedented time. We have a goal of raising $25,000. This will go towards paying for the ongoing overhead during the lost season of 2020 and ship’s maintenance to prepare her for the 2021 150th Birthday season! We are so grateful for each of you who have sailed with us or supported us from ashore over the years and look forward to brighter horizons soon. #SmallBusinessRelief
Thank you,
Capts Garth and Jenny, and the boys
The French in the 1890's carrying cargo near RocklandOrganizer
Garth Wells
Organizer
Camden, ME