Story

The schooner Bowdoin is the flaghip of Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) sail training fleet, and the official sailing vessel of the state of Maine. Built in 1921 for exploring the Arctic waters, she is one of the strongest wooden vessels ever constructed. Between 1921 and 1954 she made 26 voyages above the Arctic Circle under the command of explorer Donald B. MacMillian. Today, Bowdoin serves the students of MMA, the state of Maine, and New England. She is the flagship of MMA’s Sail Training Curriculum in which students learn to sail and manage traditional and modern sailing vessels. Bowdoin’s sailing grounds include New England, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Greenland. Training afloat is performed on the Academy’s fleet of over 100 vessels, including a 500-foot training ship, a 35-foot schooner, a Tugboat, 5 Colgate 26’s, and numerous other sailing and power vessels from 15 to 50 feet.