WENDAMEEN

Built for Col. Chester W. Bliss of Springfield, Massachusetts, WENDAMEEN, John Alden's twenty-first design and his first schooner, was launched in East Boothbay, Maine, in 1912. In 1916, the boat was sold to the Uihlein family of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, owners of the Schlitz Brewery. The Uihleins owned WENDAMEEN through World War I.

During the '20s, WENDAMEEN found a new home in Chicago, under the ownership of Paul L'Amoreau, and was a frequent entrant in the 320-mi. Chicago-to-Mackinac Race. Sometime in the '30s, she returned to the East Coast, having been acquired by G. W. Ford of New York. During the Depression, she was laid up and due for restoration, but World War II stopped the restoration short, and WENDAMEEN lay in storage for over 50 years. In 1986, she was sold to her present owner and brought back to Maine, where a complete restoration (approximately 90%) was begun, finishing July 1, 1990. WENDAMEEN was again sailing—for the first time in 57 years. In 1992, she was registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cannell, Payne & Page has inspected WENDAMEEN and found her to be a beautiful example of Mr. Alden's work. The current owner has done a fine job restoring her to her original shape, elegance, and grace, having used period hardware, materials, and colors, while taking advantage of modern materials to make her stronger and more watertight. The current owner has been using WENDAMEEN in the Maine Windjammer fleet, keeping the boat simple, open, airy, and relatively easy to maintain. She is Coast Guard coastwise certified for 20 day passengers or 14 overnight and, with the addition of a larger raft, could be upgraded to 33 day passengers.

We recommend WENDAMEEN to one looking for a true classic schooner with great pedigree, handsome lines, and an excellent turn of speed. She would make a fine private yacht or do well in the charter trade.