On April 17, 1923, the original Columbia was launched in Essex, Mass. On Aug. 23, over 91 years later, an exact replica of the Columbia was launched at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla.
The Columbia is a steel hull replica of the historic Gloucester fishing schooner.
At the christening ceremony, Brian D’Isernia, owner of Eastern Shipbuilding, spoke about how they brought the Columbia back to life, the teamwork of the companies, and thanked the hard work of the men and women that made this dream possible.
The original Columbia was a 141' classic Gloucester fishing schooner built at the historic A.D. Story shipyard of Essex. Essex was the center for North American fishing schooner construction. Designed by the innovative William Starling Burgess, the Columbia was bred for speed. In the fall of 1923, the Columbia challenged the Bluenose, Canada’s legendary schooner in the International Fishermen's Cup Races in Halifax. Nearly winning the title, the Columbia was narrowly defeated by the Bluenose and was one of the few American schooners to provide a challenge to Bluenose.
Tragedy struck the promising young Columbia on Aug. 24, 1927, near Sable Island, the notorious “Graveyard of the Atlantic” where the Columbia was lost with all hands in a gale.
Decades later, D’Isernia discovered the original lines plan of the Columbia in the Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Massachusetts. He took the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of bringing a significant piece of maritime history back to life.
Working with John W. Gilbert & Associates of Boston, the design was re-engineered with a steel hull instead of wood. An engine room and staterooms were added to the design. Covey Island Boatworks of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia built the rigging and spars. Blocks were fabricated by A. Dauphinee & Sons and all the sails were constructed by Michelle Stevens Sailloft, both from the Second Peninsula, Lunenburg. Teak decking was completed by Teakdecking Systems of Florida.
The Columbia will continue to undergo outfitting and begin sailing trials this fall. The Columbia will also be exhibited at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Oct. 30-Nov. 3.
DESIGN DETAILS:
DIMENSIONS:
Length On Deck ............................................................... 141'2"
Length @ Waterline ........................................................ 110'
Beam (Molded) ............................................................... 25'6"
Hull & Superstructure Construction ............................... Steel, ABS Grade A-36
Main Mast ......................... One (1) 17" x 124'10", Covey Island Boatworks, Douglas Fir Laminated Lower. Sitka Spruce Laminated Top Mast
Foremast ............................ One (1) 17" x 115'7", Covey Island Boatworks, Douglas Fir Laminated Lower. Sitka Spruce Laminated Top Mast
CERTIFICATES/REGULATORY:
Registry/Flag/Certificate of Documentation: U.S.
CONSTRUCTION GUIDANCE:
The vessels hull, superstructure and underwater gear are designed constructed and classed in accordance with the Lloyds Registry Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels.
