2023 Speakers’ Series

Masin Room (shore side of North Entrance building)

Friday, June 23

Friday, June 23, 10:30 a.m.

Early Herreshoff Electric Launches

Evelyn Ansel
Evelyn, the curator at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island, tells of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company’s adoption of electric motors for steam yacht tenders in the early 20th century, a time when electric motors were viable head-to-head competitors with internal-combustion engines for small-craft auxiliary power as the era of the steam engine waned.

Friday, June 23, 2:00 p.m.

Restoring the schooner L.A. DUNTON

Walt Ansel and Roger Hambidge
The historic 1921 fishing schooner is hauled out in the Mystic Seaport Museum shipyard for an estimated 10-year reconstruction project. With a model by Roger and a new lines plan by Walt, these veteran shipwrights will explain their research, their long relationships with the schooner, and the plans to restore the hull’s original shape. The schooner has been at the museum since 1963.

Saturday, June 24

Saturday, June 24, 10:30 a.m.

WINDWARD PASSAGE book presentation and signing

Randall Peffer and Capt. Dave ‘Halfdeck’ Johnson
Conceived by a lumberman-sailor, drawn by a young and then-untested designer, and built of spruce on a Bahamian beach in 1968, the 65′ maxi yacht WINDWARD PASSAGE had an improbable rise to stardom during her 20-year racing career. Randall, the author of a new book about the yacht published in association with WoodenBoat Publications, and Halfdeck, her skipper, will tell of her storied career; books will be available for sale and for signing.

Saturday, June 24, 2:00 p.m.

A Maine Peapod built the old way

Ben Fuller, David Cockey, Will Swenson, and Max Mihelich
The double-ended peapods used for lobstering in Maine were once built using now-rare techniques: working by eye, without molds, and using pre-bent frames in what today seems a rudimentary setup. Small-craft historians Ben and David commissioned The Apprenticeshop second-year students Will and Max to build a boat this way; the boat will be on hand during the presentation.