The Black Dog Captain’s Journal

Vineyard Haven, MA – A coastal storm passes through New England today and as I’m typing here at the Black Dog Tall Ships HQ wind and gusts from the SW are shaking the building, howling and blowing spray downwind across Vineyard Haven harbor…  Shenandoah and Alabama are secure on their moorings.  The New England fishing fleet is now dealing with 50knot+ winds offshore – a classic winter afternoon with ferry service to Woods Hole shut down…

A far reach from a picture perfect summer day out on Vineyard Sound, heading out for a week-long adventure with a boatload of excited youngsters.  With that in mind, the schedule for the 2012 “Kids Cruise” summer camp has been released and familes have begun making reservations.  The weeks being offered are as follows:

• July 15th
• July 22nd
• July 29th
• August 5th

These are amazing opportunities for children between the ages of 9 and 16 years old.  Onboard the Shenandoah, these six-day sailing adventures are experiences that really can’t be duplicated anywhere else…  Our passengers get to become part of the working crew of the ship, learning the basic skills of sailing and seamanship, make great friends and sail onboard the world’s only square rigged schooner that operates without an engine while having the best week of their summer vacation!  A literal time machine, the Shenandoah continues a type of traditional sailing that was once so common, but now has almost completely vanished with time…

"Kids Cruise" passengers manning the windlass and raising the Shenandoah's anchor.

Our passengers are kids and sailing needs to be FUN above everything else!  The Black Dog Tall Ships embraces this which is linked directly to the success of the camp program.  For those whose children have sailed with us before, we look forward to having them come onboard again in 2012 (when the weather will be far from what’s rolling through Vineyard Sound today).  For those who are interested, please visit www.theblackdogtallships.com for details on the “Kids Cruise” Summer Camps.

Happy New Year everyone,

Captain Morgan Douglas

Vineyard Haven, MA – Although the Black Dog Tall Ships’ 2011 sailing season began with our traditional Memorial Day Weekend event in Newport, RI we can look to the coming 4th of July holiday for when Summer officially kicks off here on Martha’s Vineyard…  But the Spring and early Summer have been packed.  A quick recap…

So far this season we’ve welcomed onboard Trinity Catholic Academy and Perduco Education as new additions to the Black Dog Tall Ships Sailing School Program.  Trinity’s students, based out of Southbridge, MA were unfortunate enough to find themselves in the path of the tornadoes that wrecked portions of central Massachusetts in early June the night before they got on the bus and headed to Martha’s Vineyard to step aboard the Alabama.  Overnight stays in Tarpaulin Cove and Vineyard Haven’s outer harbor and two great days of sailing rounded out their time onboard…  Perduco Education filled the Shenandoah with their associated families of home-schooled families for what I hope will be their first trip of many with us:

We’re back! On Friday, June 17, members of Perduco and North Star, along with other homeschoolers from various communities around Boston, as well as Long Island, disembarked the schooner Shenandoah of the Black Dog Tall Ships with heavy hearts, having spent an extraordinary week sailing around Nantucket Sound.  

Perduco passengers lined up furling the Shenandoah's mainsail

As well as these new first-time participants we welcomed back students and staff from Block Island, Fishers Island, Shelter Island, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven/West Tisbury schools (who are onboard as I type).  Having worked with the administrators and parents of each of these programs I would personally like to thank them for all the hard work, organizing and communicating that helped make them a reality. When I receive an email which includes “Morgan – just wanted to reemphasize that the kids had a time of their lives on the trip a couple of weeks ago…” it reinforces the ability for these schooners to have a profound impact on the young passengers.

On the head of the newly-rebuilt Black Dog Wharf, the schooner Alabama is getting ready to sail an afternoon cruise – a common occurrence
for the summer months ahead as the island makes the jump from its shoulder season to summer hotspot.  The flags will be flying, the Alabama will out twice daily and the “Kids Cruise” Summer Camps begin on July 10th.  Martha’s Vineyard is a special place to many and the iconic Black Dog Tall Ships are here for all to enjoy… 

The team for the 2011 season is fully prepped – the crew has proven to be a good one!  Stay tuned for upcoming crew profiles on the Captain’s Journal…  See you all soon as the season 2011 continues.  All the best

Morgan Douglas

The Black Dog Tall Ships

La Franqui, France – Most of you know about the long sailing history of the Black Dog and the B.D Tall Ships.  As the schooners Shenandoah and Alabama are now entering the “fit out” season, the Black Dog has already begun the 2011 sailing season here in Leucate, France.  Team Black Dog and NASSP (www.nassp.net) landed here earlier this week to take part in the Mondial du Vent – the largest gathering of kitesurfers and windsurfers each year in France.  Myself, brothers Rob and Jamie and Bill Lynch are here to compete in an invitational kite speed event which kicks off early next week.  Brother Rob looks to continue his dominance of kite speed following his record-setting run last October in Namibia, Africa – 55.65 knots, an outright world sailing record.

One of the many things that stands out about this area in France, more or less central along the Mediterranean coast, is the incredible amount of interest and passion that the French have for sailing and its history.  The Mondial du Vent kicked off yesterday with a flooded beach and overcast skies, but still thousands of visitors and spectators arrived in this small coastal town.  Accordingly, the weather cleared and turned into a beautiful day…  It is refreshing, to say the least, to be surrounded by this many fans of sailing in all forms – windsurfers, kitesurfing, small and large recreational sail boats, fishing, traditional sail and more.  With that in mind, I think about my father back home at this moment with his beloved schooner Shenandoah hauled out, getting ready to enter their 48th season together.  Passion for sail and the lifestyle presonified…

All of our onboard programs and experiences are lined up for the upcoming 2011 season.  From my remote office here in France, I’m communicating daily with families interested in our “Kids Cruise” summer camps, private charter customers, performers for the line-up of concert cruises and more…

The speed event kicks off on Tuesday – for results and info, please check out http://www.mondial-du-vent.com/osc.php.  Team Black Dog and NASSP, the only U.S competitors and America’s three fastest sailors will look to post solid results in the first day of the competition to qualify for the remainder of the competition which runs through May 1st.

A tout a l’heurs!

Captain Morgan Douglas

The Black Dog Tall Ships

Vineyard Haven, MA -  Most islanders will tell you that following the holiday season, the long-haul of a Martha’s Vineyard winter kicks in.  Short days, long cold nights and a steady freezing NW wind are trademarks of this time of year.  Today we’re back to this weather pattern following our latest winter coastal storm which hammered New England, and today I’ve seen a steady stream of New Bedford’s fleet headed out to their fishing grounds now that things have settled down…  Its a good reminder of how a century ago those steel draggers would have been replaced by a schooner nearly identical to the ALABAMA, which is nice and secure on her mooring this afternoon in Vineyard Haven harbor.

And while some year-round islanders use this time of the year for extended getaways, its proven to be an important few months for the Black Dog Tall Ships (vacations included).  The phone literaly just rang – its John S. and he’s interested in booking a family reunion charter aboard the Alabama this coming July.  The point being that this is when the foundation is laid for what looks to be a strong 2011…  The Sailing School continues to grow as steady outreach and positive response is bearing fruit – two new members have signed up for the coming season and plans are in place to launch a strong campaign to our neighbors on the Cape.  ‘Kids Cruise” Summer Camp reservations are coming in as the 2011 schedule is now posted and available.  Planning and preparation define the winter here when the amount of daylight is sometimes less than the amount of time that the lights are on here at the Black Dog Tall Ships headquarters.

Cold and dark for sure, but for some, its also a really enjoyable time of year here.  Those short days, the frozen ground, slushy water around the pilings on the Black Dog Wharf and an empty Vineyard Sound are part of a New England winter.  With it comes wide-open beaches, plenty of room for Lucy and Aiden (the Black Dog “pups”) to run around, playoff football, bay scallops, longer breaks for Captain’s Blend coffee and the anticipation of another awesome sailing season here out of Vineyard Haven for the schooners Shenandoah, Alabama and Chantey.

Workstation #2 at the BDTS HQ

All the best to you in the New Year and stay in touch with the Black Dog Tall Ships throughout the rest of a great off-season.

Captain Morgan Douglas

Vineyard Haven, MA – Looking out the windows here at the Black Dog Tall Ship headquarters overlooking Vineyard Haven harbor, today could easily pass for a perfect late September afternoon.  Steady west wind, crystal clear conditions and perfectly sunny… But this afternoon the temps will max out in the low 50′s, there are only a few leaves on the trees, some of Vineyard Haven’s fleet has sailed south and I can spot a few teams of scallopers out in their skiffs dragging off the causeway – all surefire signs that this ship is headed straight towards another New England winter.  Time to look back at the 2010 season…

The 2010 season began more than a year ago today, with the outreach, scheduling and promotion of the Tall Ship Tour, Sailing School program, Summer Camps, concert cruises and more, all taking place here during the cold off-season.  Each of these onboard experiences were expanded upon and became more successful in 2010… 

The Black Dog Tall Ships Summer Camp programs are the backbone of this company’s July and August.  Five week-long programs were offered and filled with nine to sixteen-year-olds this past season as the success of the popular “Kids Cruises” continued… We believe that this program offers the best opportunity anywhere for youngsters to enjoy traditional sail, learn our country’s maritime heritage, make lifelong friends, become part of a working crew, and HAVE FUN!!!  Not only for the young passengers, but also for the captains and crews of the Shenandoah and Alabama these voyages offer the opportunity to get underway and explore the coast of southern New England, anchor in pristine and beautiful harbors each night and build a unique relationship between the passengers and the crew each time out.

An Alabama "Kids Cruiser" taking his turn at the wheel with captain Ian Ridgeway

The Sailing School program continued its expansion in 2010 as we welcomed three new schools from islands to our West onboard both the Shenandoah and Alabama in June.  Block Island, Shelter Island and Fisher’s Island all came aboard and had a great week of their school year aboard with us.  5th grade classes and students from each of Martha’s Vineyard’s elementary schools participated again as well.  The Black Dog Tall Ships takes great pride in offering these discounted Sailing School programs and in passing along the knowledge and history that our schooners represent to the upcoming generations of islanders and “mainlanders” throughout New England and beyond…  The Sailing School will continue to expand to include communities and school systems.  I am getting great response from some of this year’s outreach and am confident that new schools and groups will be added to the 2011 schedule – stay tuned for details…

Students from the Chilmark School having a blast on the Alabama's foredeck during their sail to Block Island.

Amazing day and evening sails, private charters, “Bragger’s Cup” races and concert cruises were mixed in throughout, including onboard wedding ceremonies and preformancesfrom Grammy Award-winners.  The success of the summer concert cruises became pretty obvious after the first series with good friend John Cruz…  When he brought his internationally-sought skills and tunes to the deck of the Alabama and played for the full three hours for the  sold out small groups of passengers the response was immediate and obvious.  In 2010, other performers such as Mike Benjamin, Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish, Ben Taylor, Christopher Robin were added.  A change of pace from the standard sunset sail, these evening cruises offer something that can’t be matched anywhere else – intimate preformances from premier talent set on a beautiful tall ship as she’s sailing under the power of canvas.  Be on the lookout for updates on these public events as the 2011 schedule develops over the next couple months.

The only Grammy-winner to perform on the island this year? John Cruz delivered once again on the Alabama in 2010.

There’s an old saying here that I’m going to modify to “what starts on Nantucket ends on Nantucket.”  Way before the sails are bent on and the first passengers step aboard, the Black Dog Tall Ship tour kicks off with stop #1 and the Alabama’s visit to Nantucket for Daffodil weekend in mid-April.  Stops in Newport, Mystic, Hyannis, Newburyport, Gloucester and Provincetownfollowed…  In each of these port visits, the Alabama hoists the large colors, hangs Black Dog “Welcome” flags from the shrouds and open up to the public for free dockside tours.  Engaging the public, making them aware of the presence of our schooners, their history and that of the Black Dog brand is what the Black Dog Tall Ships tour is all about.  With that in mind, I can’t wait until the first weekend of December when we make the traditional run down to Nantucket to close out the season and to celebrate Christmas Stroll one more time…

All these memories and more came out of the 2010 season – the Alabama sailing out of Gloucester Harbor to sail in that historic port’s annual schooner race, these two schooners anchoring alongside each other in Tarpaulin Cove, boarding the first passengers of the season, and the last following an epic return from Nantucket in early October, the excitement of Sunday nights when “Kids Cruise” passengers and their families step onto the deck, and many, many more are all examples of what the Black Dog Tall Ships offers and represents…  I would personally like to thank all of our passengers, hosts (including the Nantucket Boat Basin, Bannister’s Wharf in Newport, the team from Expedition Whydah in Provincetown and more), and also to the crew from 2010.  You’re all responsible for everything I’ve mentioned.

Oh yes, and congratulations to Captain Robert Douglas Sr. who continues to lead this company and brand on his 47th season at the command of Shenandoah, and to the world’s fastest sailor Rob Douglas Jr. who posted a run of 55.65 knots at the 2010 Luderitz Speed Challenge to claim the outright world sailing speed record.  We’re now home to the longest standing captain and vessel partnership in the country as well as the fastest sailor on the planet – ever…

2010 had a lot to offer.  With the full focus now to 2011, we’re looking forward to seeing you then.  All the best,

Captain Morgan Douglas – The Black Dog Tall Ships

Vineyard Haven, MA – In a little over one week the Black Dog Tall Ship Tour will get back into action when the Alabama makes visits to the ports of Newburyport, Gloucester and Provincetown beginning on September 1st.  This will continue the Alabama’s traditional presence in some awesome specialty events like the traditional schooner regattas in Gloucester and Provincetown and include public open house events in each of these three ports.  We now refer to this as the Alabama’s “Northern Run”…

Newburyport, MA – September 1st & 2nd:  In the late winter of 2009 the Black Dog’s Newburyport General Store a stone’s throw from the Merrimac River.  Sometimes not the friendliest body of water for deep draft vessels, the Alabama crossed the bar and the entrance to the River on a beautiful afternoon last August 30th and made her first visit to the historic town of Newburyport.  I remember it as the most well-attended of all 2009′s events as the Alabama hosted local schools, was opened to the public and was involved in an evening dockside fundraiser for the Newburyport Art Association.

Gloucester, MA – September 4th & 5th:  Again, the schooner Alabama returns to Gloucester, “America’s Oldest Seaport” as well as a port responsible for her ever constructed.  As you may know, the Alabama was launched in Pensacola, FL in 1926 but her designer Thomas MacManus is a fixture in the fishing history of this port.  Its been said that over 300 of his designs fished and sailed from Gloucester…  So with the Alabama’s return to Gloucester in 2010, we continue to pay a tribute to the history and heritage that the Gloucester Schooner Festival represents.  The Alabama will be wharved at the Cruiseport Pier on the waterfront and will be offering a full day of dockside tours on Saturday the 4th and will be competing in the “Mayor’s Cup” race on Sunday.  Each year we have offered space to our customers to join us for the exciting race and will be doing the same again this time.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the Black Dog Tall Ships office at 508-693-1699.

Provincetown, MA – September 9th – 11th:  The passage from Cape Ann to Provincetown will be the Alabama’s chance to defend her Class “A” title in the Sperry Topsider Fisherman’s Cup race from Gloucester to Provincetown on Tuesday, September 7th.  Once in harbor and tied up at the Whydah Museum Pier, the Alabama will be open to the public for dockside tours on Friday the 10th and will again be selling space to passengers who wish to sail onboard the Alabama during the Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta on Saturday.  Another great event, this gathering in Provincetown has become an annual stop for the Alabama since we hoisted the champion’s Rose Dorothea Cup in 2006 and again in ’07.  Home to a proud sailing history, Provincetown and this regatta has been supported by the Black Dog Tall Ships as it continues to build towards becoming a signature sailing event aimed at bringing more attention to the ships, sailing opportunities and history all found in this part of New England.  Again, to purchase space for the race day in “P-Town” please call the Black Dog Tall Ships office at 508-693-1699.

Hope to see you during the “Northern Run”…

Captain Morgan Douglas

The Black Dog Tall Ships

Vineyard Haven, MA – August 1st is a few days behind us, and with it, whether we like it or not, we’ve turned the corner in the summer season and are coming down the home stretch.  Every day is an important one here on the waterfront with the Black Dog Tall Ship & Wharf companies.  Back to school commercials are on the radio and TV and now its time to milk these last few weeks for everything they’re worth here on Martha’s Vineyard…  For those looking to maximize the remainder of the season just like we are, there are plenty of items on the Black Dog Tall Ships Schedule for you to join up and get in on the fun and action.

Next week, beginning August 9th, its the return and culmination of the “Bragger’s Cup” race series.  On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with passengers onboard the Shenandoah and Alabama line it up and match race.  It isn’t the result of a large plan, but the fact remains – aside from a handful of annual festivals of traditional tall ships and specialty events, these races are the best opportunity for people to see, or sail aboard, two of America’s finest schooners sailing in close company and in competition.  In the “pre-season” match back in on June 26th the Alabama once again took a suprise win.  Now comes this three race series to settle the question for 2010 – who will be crowned queen of the fleet?  The Black Dog Tall Ships continues to represent America’s proud tradition, but just like summer is passing quickly, how much longer will these schooners set sail from Vineyard Haven?

Alabama on the reach back to the finish line in the "pre-season" race on June 26.

Here’s what else is on tap in the upcoming weeks:

The final “Kids Cruise” summer camp program of the season takes place from August 15th – 21st aboard the Alabama.  Completely sold out…

"Kids cruisers" step back aboard after a morning ashore in Tarpaulin Cove.

The first-ever reunion cruise with Shenandoah’s alumni crew beginning on August 22nd.  Former crew will be headed in from all four corners of the country to step back aboard and take part in this historic reunion. Stay tuned for more info and a recap to follow.

The Alabama will make her now-annual trip to visit Newburyport, Gloucester and Provincetown during the first two weeks of September.  Open house events in all three ports of call as well as classic schooner races in Gloucester and Provincetown offer awesome opportunities for our customers and fans on the mainland to step on for the day.

So maybe you’ve felt it too – that slightly cooler early morning or evening which signals the beginning of the end.  There is still plenty left in the 2010 season and the Black Dog Tall Ships welcomes you, and hopes to see you, aboard in the remaining weeks and days…

Captain Morgan Douglas

The Black Dog Tall Ships

Vineyard Haven, MA – Happy 4th of July from the Black Dog Tall Ships!  Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is viewed by many as the official start to the summer season here on Martha’s Vineyard but July 4th is when summer really shows up in force…  Today, the Black Dog Wharf is full, the schooner ALABAMA is out on an afternoon sail in Vineyard Sound and the SHENANDOAH is getting prepared to board another Sailing School program tonight.  And although the summer season has just gone into high gear, the Black Dog Tall Ships’ 2010 season started weeks ago.  Let’s recap…

The ALABAMA started the season with her traditional season-opening Memorial Day event in Newport.  Tied up a stone’s throw from the Black Dog’s Newport General Store, the schooner was open to the public for the two days of free dockside tours and a Saturday evening sunset cruise.  Many thanks again to our host David Ray and his staff at Bannister’s Wharf.

ALABAMA open to the public at Bannister's Wharf

 From Newport, the ALABAMA made the short trip west to visit Mystic for stop #3 of the 2010 Black Dog Tall Ship Tour.  While at Mystic River Park we hosted hundreds of visitors during another two-day event, sharing with them the history of the ALABAMA and the legend of the Black Dog Tavern Company.  With the historic CHARLES W. MORGAN on the railway as a backdrop, this was another awesome and worthwhile tour stop…

The month of June brought the return of the Sailing School Program and both schooners of the Black Dog Tall Ships fleet loaded up first-time participants in early June when the students from the Shelter Island, Block Island and Fisher’s Island schools stepped onboard for week-long programs.  This kicked off the SHENANDOAH’S 47th season of operation under Captain Robert Douglas – the longest standing captain and vessel partnership in the United States…  F.O.C.U.S (www.infocus.org) and then the Oak Bluffs School rounded out June for SHENANDOAH while the ALABAMA started her afternoon and evening cruises with a Mike Benjamin concert cruise and a Bragger’s Cup race thrown in as well…

Schooner ALABAMA - June 26th, 2010

The rest of the season has shaped up nicely…  Five “Kids Cruise” Summer Camp programs are coming up next, beginning with the “Writer’s Week” aboard the SHENANDOAH starting next week running straight through mid August.  We’ll be offering dozens of afternoon and evening sails an the ALABAMA and the newest addition – the schooner CHANTEY, concert cruises with John Cruz will be back in August as well as a week of “Bragger’s Cup” races and much, much more…

In 2010 we’ll continue to build upon the mission of Captain Robert Douglas – to expose today’s and future generations to the history these schooners represent and to the fun of a life under sail.  With two of America’s finest schooners we aim to do just that…  With that said, we hope to see you along the waterfront and on the decks of the Black Dog Tall Ships.

Captain Morgan Douglas

The Black Dog Tall Ships

Vineyard Haven, MA – We’ve officially turned the corner into and are enjoying an early spring here on Martha’s Vineyard.  Planning for the 2010 season is a more stream-lined affair now as most events are set and now its all about getting the schooners prepared for the upcoming sails which start in early June with some Sailing School programs onboard both the Shenandoah and Alabama.

The “Kids Cruise” sailing camp programs make up the bulk of the Black Dog Tall Ships season in July and August.  The succuss of this program is based on a winning formula – historic schooners, professional and energetic crew teaching the funnest elements of sailing and getting the young passengers involved as a part of the team as we sail the country’s best cruising waters…  This year we’re adding a new feature to this program with the first-ever “Writer’s Week” onboard the Shenandoah thanks to the people at  Merlyn’s Pen (www.merlynspen.org).

Merlyn’s Pen is a Providence, R.I – based organization which has worked with and published the original writing of teenage students since 1985.  I’ve been in touch with Merlyn’s Pen’s founder for a few years and we’ve discussed ways to combine our two organizations during a trip onboard the Black Dog Tall Ships.  2010 presented a great opportunity to start the process and over the winter we worked on and launched the “Writer’s Week” program.  The trip will feature the same involvement from the ship’s crew and captain with their daily instruction, but each day Merlyn’s Pen will offer daily one-on-one feedback and instruction as well as daily group workshops.

 So, the stage is set… Two New England organizations offering unique and successful youth programs team up in 2010.  Sailing as a part of a team and crew can instil self-confidence, appreciation for our natural environment and open eyes to places, experiences and friends that you may have never found anywhere else.  I picture creative writing imparting much of the same…  “Writer’s Week” looks to be an awesome addition to the 2010 schedule onboard the Shenandoah.

The program has been offered since mid-winter and reservations have been coming in steadily and as of now, space is still available.  The cost is the same as all “Kids Cruise” sailing camps – $900 per passenger!  For more details and information on “Writer’s Week” please visit www.theblackdogtallships.com. 

All the best -

Captain Morgan Douglas

The Black Dog Tall Ships