A Sail on Shenandoah
The journey began at the mooring.
The journey began at the mooring.
Both crew and passengers had an opportunity to raise sail.
Both crew and passengers had an opportunity to raise sail.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas.
Sail gets underway.
Sail gets underway.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas and his son Morgan.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas and his son Morgan.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas confers with his son Morgan on the course and the best way to use the wind.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas confers with his son Morgan on the course and the best way to use the wind.
The crew assists with pulling in the sheet.
The crew assists with pulling in the sheet.
Sail and rigging, a changing still life of sail, boom and rigging.
Sail and rigging, a changing still life of sail, boom and rigging.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas with son Morgan discuss the direction.
Capt. Robert S. Douglas with son Morgan discuss the direction.
View from the bow, a smooth sail.
View from the bow, a smooth sail.
The crew tightens sail.
The crew tightens sail.
Capt. Morgan Douglas in front of the main sail.
Capt. Morgan Douglas in front of the main sail.
Passengers have a quiet time to enjoy the best of the sail.
Passengers have a quiet time to enjoy the best of the sail.
After a wonderful afternoon on the water, a parting picture.
After a wonderful afternoon on the water, a parting picture.
There are few joys that are better than an end of the summer sail on the topsail schooner Shenandoah. On Wednesday afternoon, amid a steady southwest breeze, the 108 foot vessel left Vineyard Haven harbor to sail between the chops. Captain Robert S. Douglas and his son Morgan shared time at the wheel. The crew kept the sails tight. Passengers enjoyed a moment from the chaos of the 21st century to visit the 19th century, in a day when only the wind powered the vessel.