Gloucester to York

We left Gloucester at 0730 with calm seas and no wind. The SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, was at anchor as we left the harbor. This ship out of Newport, Rhode Island is the largest civilian sailing school vessel in the United States. She is named after the naval hero from Rhode Island, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who defeated the British fleet in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. There are numerous schooners sailing the East Coast; however, it is very rare to see a fully rigged, sailing ship. This was a pleasant and unexpected surprise for us as we departed Gloucester.

SSV Oliver Hazard Perry

By 0830, the twin lighthouses on Thacher Island were abeam of us. We were making very good time. Carla heard numerous whale sightings were occurring in the Gulf of Maine and suggested we see if we could find any as we headed north. Since the weather and sea conditions were favorable, Dwayne agreed to change our destination from Plymouth, Massachusetts to York, Maine. This would give us the best chance at seeing whales and still make a safe port by dark. We did not see any whales. However, we did come across a large pod of about 30 dolphin and a few harbor seals.

Thacher Island Lights

Pod of Dolphins

We arrived at York shortly before 1800. The entrance to the harbor is very narrow and the channel makes an almost 90 degree turn just before the mooring field. The in-coming tide was running very strong. It was a bit of a challenge getting on the mooring ball in the current. We had to run the engine up to 2000 rpm just to hold position while grabbing the mooring. The harbor itself was beautiful and very calm after slack tide. It was so peaceful after dark that you could hear the waves breaking on the nearby beach. York is the kind of town people envision when they think of a New England village.