Ada C. Lore after the breakwater collapsed
A week ago at about 2AM, at least 50 feet of the breakwater in Eastport, Maine collapsed into the inner harbor. Pat Donahue, a local fisherman and caretaker of the 1923 schooner Ada C. Lore, suffered minor injuries when the breakwater collapsed. The Eastport pilot boat, Medric, was sunk and another 20 or so boats in the harbor were reported to be damaged. The schooner Ada C. Lore lost both her masts.
The Ada C. Lore has been sailing on whale watching tours out of Eastport for the last several years. Yet, even a passing look tells you that she is not a “Downeaster”. At a glance, she looks to be a near twin to the A.J. Meerwald, an oyster schooner and the Official Tall Ship of the State of New Jersey.
The two schooners were built for the same trade and are about the same age. Ada C. Lore, built as a Delaware Bay oyster dredger in 1923, is five years older than the A.J. Meerwald. They are both about 85′ on deck and have similar beam and drafts. The A.J. Meerwald is six inches wider and about 6″ more draft. The rigs were a bit different, but overall not so much. Their spoon bows and broad sterns show the same heritage. They may not be sister vessels, but they are certainly cousins.
We can only wish Butch Harris, owner of the Ada C. Lore, good fortune in re-rigging and repairing the grand old schooner.
AJ Meerwald, left — Ada C. Lore, right
The Ada C. Lord was being restored in 1999 in the Maurice River by Bivalve Packing Co., just upriver from the Meerwald’s headquarters. Lots of good work was being done on her then.
Damn autocorrect. Ada C. Lore.
Any updates on repair plans for the Ada C. Lore? I enjoyed sailing on this back in 2013. Hope Mr. Donahue has fully recovered from his injuries.
Many years ago I came across a note in the National Watercraft Collection that 3 of the Delaware Bay schooners were built from the same design. Some of those plans are available. Unfortunately no names were given. I gave copies to the crew that was rebuilding the Lore in New Jersey. I later had an unseen hand in the Lore’s sale and move to Maine. The J & E Riggin, about the same size and built in 1927, also sailing in Maine, may be a third sister to the Ada C. Lore and the A.J. Meerwald. Best Len
The Ada was my grandfather’s boat. It is named after my great grandmother and worked as a commercial oyster boat on the Delaware Bay. During the restoration at the Bivale Shipyard, I would take my grandfather, Joseph R Lore (in his 90s at the time) to see it and speak with the restorers.
Very interesting. Thanks for the comment.
The Ada C. Lore has been purchased! My self and a couple of friends are going to restore her beginning this fall. I’ll post updates as things progress. A lot of hard work, cold long days, and cheerful frustrations ahead. I can’t wait!
It’s my understanding that only two of the oyster schooners on Delaware Bay were designed by naval architects , the Ethalinda Blackman and the R&A Jeffries. Some of the rest were built from half hull models and expert craftsmen. A set of plans for the Ethalinda Blackman is on display at Bay Shore Center in Bivalve ( Port Norris N.J ) see A.J. Meerwald above. Contact R Dolhanczyk, museum director. 856-785-2060
Very interesting. Thanks.
Shawn, good to hear that you’re going to restore her. She was too far from NJ for me to come up and attempt what you guys can do there. Glad someone has stepped up!
Also, thanks, Diane for the info on the history of the Ada C. Lore.