Maine Maritime Academy’s century-old schooner, the Bowdoin, returned to the harbor in Castine from its eight-week scientific voyage to the Arctic Friday morning.
The schooner departed for its first voyage in 16 years on May 29, and traveled up to Newfoundland and Greenland. The crew of 16 students and professional mariners completed its goal of crossing the 70th parallel, according to the academy.
The ship was constructed for the purpose of Arctic voyages, and left East Boothbay for its first ever voyage in 1921. This Arctic voyage was its 30th.
Its purpose was to gather data on the ocean’s salinity, temperature and biodiversity and to provide hands-on experience for the nine maritime students onboard, the academy said.
“The skills we learned on this voyage are diverse and invaluable,” said MMA student Mackenzie Morin. “These experiences have not only equipped us with the ability to navigate the Arctic seas, but also to overcome the demands of our respective careers and fields in the future.”
The academy said the crew explored fjords, watched as ice chunks broke off edges of glaciers and examined abandoned settlements on their trip. The voyage was also part of a cultural exchange with the Indigenous Inuit people in Greenland. The academy said many of the people in the cultural exchange remember the Bowdoin’s previous excursions to their home, and still have old black-and-white photographs of the trips.
“It’s an honor to welcome the Greenlandic Inuit aboard the Bowdoin — they’re an essential part of her history,” said Captain Alexander Peacock.
Peacock also said the voyage led to growth in the students who completed it. He said sailing through Arctic waters, packed with sea ice and icebergs, requires close communication and precise maneuvering.
“They matured as individuals, came together as a group and rose to the countless challenges with confidence,” Peacock said.
Jules Walkup is a Report for America corps member. Additional support for this reporting is provided by BDN readers.
