Hesper and Luther Little - The "Ghost Ships" of Wiscasset, Maine

[@roadreapervideos7001]

These videos always bring a tear to my eye. I hate seeing history erased but thanks to channels like yours they are never forgotten. Thank you!

[@bloody_bones5673]

Preach it! Look at what’s happening to the Prince of Wales. Slowly erased by greed.

[@lovebaja]

You cry easily, don’t you?

[@roadreapervideos7001]

@lovebaja not at all. A tear to the eye is not crying... and if you don't understand the saying just move along.

[@lovebaja]

@@roadreapervideos7001 you okay, bro?

[@sicthemutt]

​@@lovebajaI'll make u cry easily

[@treasurehunter1875]

I have lived in Maine my whole life. I remember seeing these many times as a child, riding in the car with my parents through Wiscasset. I was absolutely fascinated by them.

[@PeterHonig.]

Sometime around 2004 or so, my wife and I drove the local route through Wiscasset because I specifically wanted to see the schooners that I had seen a decade earlier. When we got there, I was completely shocked and greatly saddened when I learned of their demise and they were nowhere to be seen. I really hate when things change for the worse.

[@sirrliv]

For those curious about that other railway-based venture mentioned, the Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railroad still exists as a museum and heritage railroad in nearby Alna, offering rides behind both vintage and newly built replica steam locomotives, doing their part to keep the small but quirky history of Maine 2ft gauge railways alive. Here's hoping Tom might have a supplementary video coming out soon showcasing this passionately run little railway. We all know his first love is the sea, but the rails have a dear place in there too.

[@jaredkennedy6576]

I brought my kids there last summer, and it was amazing how much it had grown since the last time I had been there. I kinda wish we could have done it again this year, but money and time were a bit too tight.

[@mervyncrowley4427]

Rockport Maine has one of those trains in one of its parks

[@GrannySoupLadle]

I took a historic train ride as a young kid through the Wiscasset waterfront, only a year or so before they demolished the ships.

[@therailfanman2078]

There's four 2 foot gauge railways in Maine. The mentioned Wiscasset Waterville And Farmington Railway, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railway, The Sandy Lakes And Rangley River Railway, and The Boothbay Harbor Railway.

[@seanfox9560]

One of my first and still favorite rides on a steam locomotive!!

[@doobat708]

Always sad to see such vessels go, specially if they linger on for such a long time. Thank you for keeping their memory alive.

[@miapdx503]

I've become so fascinated with the people who have the courage to set out to sea. The ocean is so dangerous, has claimed so many lives...and back in the day, in those wooden ships, no way to communicate...I can't wrap my mind around the first sailors...incredible. The ocean is still claiming souls, with all our technology and progress, the might of the ocean is stunning.

[@joelwilbanks1165]

Historians, such as yourself, are a wonderful assets to society. Thank you!!

[@archimedes5543]

Thank you for this video. My family used to vacation to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. We'd pass through (and visit) Wiscasset. These may be the most photographed ships and I can almost guarantee my Mom took most of those pictures. We used to stop for hot dogs at Red's on our way in. Dad loved hot dogs. I had the privilege of seeing this ships before they were removed. The Bath Maritime Museum is amazing and I could never spend enough time there. I also learned over the years that some Mainers have a wicked sense of humor. Lots of good memories from family vacations came flooding back to me watching this. Thank you again.

[@martagaines7272]

Go to Wasses Hot Dogs in Rockland next time you're in the area again. You'll thank me 😉

[@richarddudley9920]

I remember the coastal family trips of my youth. Driving up route 1 through wiscasset and seeing those old ships lying in the mud. I too was dismayed over learning that the ships were removed from their resting place. It's somewhat tragic to let such great historical items disappear from view, but I am thankful that I can keep the memories of those ships forever in my mind and heart. Thank you for reaching back into a forgotten age and bring our history to light and life once more

[@Futureshucks]

Well done for carving the names of these ships and their stories into the public record. The town of Wiscasset and more widely the nation as a whole have shown a galling dereliction of duty to preserve your nation's valuable and fascinating national heritage.

[@harleycolwell2886]

Thank you so much for making this video! I grew up just 30 some miles north of Wiscasset, in Thomaston, and from my earliest memories the Hesper and the Luther Little profoundly fired my imagination. My family drove south to Portland all the time, so my parents would regularly pull into the little paved lot by them so I could admire the ships from barely a hundred feet away. They were magnificent. Even after one of Luther Little's masts had fallen and caved in her aft deck you could still appreciate their former majesty. Around the time I turned 30, the ships were finally unstable enough to be a danger to people exploring them from the water, and the town had an excavator break them up and haul the remnants to the landfill. I understood, but I was still heartbroken: the true end of an era. A friend saved some pieces of wood and gave me an interesting, 2x6x2 inch piece of decking that still had the wooden plug cut flush over the iron fastener. You could tell that the decks must've been beautiful. I cherish that little scrap... it lives in my shop, where the occasional glance toward it still reminds me of how awestruck... no, how absolutely spellbound I was when I got to see those ships.

[@billycarpenter4740]

I saw them too during the 1960's. We lived in Bath and traveled to see grandma in Bristol Mills.

[@Chris_at_Home]

We used to vacation in Maine as a kid and I first saw them in the mid 1960s. I was stationed at Brunswick during the first half of the 1970s and have color slides I took of them then. I also drove by them after I got out going to the parents of a lady I was married to then.

[@billycarpenter4740]

@@Chris_at_Home Dad retired from the USAF. When dad was sent to Vietnam (2 1/2 tours) the family lived in Bath because it was close to Brunswick and 1/2 way to grandma's in Bristol Mills. Local kids told us boys they were "old Viking ships". I took my Florida girlfriend on vacation up the east coast of Maine and east coast of Nova Scotia just before COVID. 12 days of vacation time is just not enough to enjoy all that is there. Never-again ??????????

[@shawndoyle7531]

I can't believe you were in Maine and we didn't know! There's a group of us that watch your videos and love your content and we were sad that we missed the chance to meet you. If you're ever up this way again and would like to do a piece on the WW&F let us know. Maine is full of old historic sites in various conditions that would be great for more content! Keep up the good work!

[@billycarpenter4740]

Our family homestead was "granted" in 1779 in Bristol Mills. Our great granddad served as an officer during the revolutionary war of 1776. He was granted and homesteaded 150 acres, he selected Bristol Mills and homesteaded there. The farm remained in our family until 1973.

[@paulsnell1274]

Wow! Thank you for covering these iconic ships. I grew up watching these beauties slowly deteriorate over the more than 60 years that my family summered on the Maine Coast. If I’m not mistaken, the song is by Fred Gosbee and Julia Lane of Castlebay.

[@JonathanH1253]

I vaguely remember them, I was born in 1993 and grew up in woolwich, the next town over from wiscasset. I definitely remember seeing them when I was really little before they were torn apart.

[@billycarpenter4740]

I was a kid living in Bath during the 1960's and remember seeing these ships on my way, (by bus) , when we visited our grandmother in Bristol Mills.. Tale I was told by local boys were these were old "Viking ships", that kept me interested.

[@stuartblanchard7527]

Hey! I remember these growing up! Still local legends. Thanks for bringing some new eyeballs to the story.

[@SandyWolf-]

I went to boarding school in Bath Maine in the 70s i remember them as well

[@billycarpenter4740]

We lived in Bath during the 1960's. I remember seeing these ships on our way to grandma's over in Bristol Mills.

[@roberthemingway7419]

I remember seeing these old ships while going to our summer home in Waldoboro. Little by little, 19:25 they disappeared very sad. Thanks for bringing them back to life for this 71 year old man.

[@donnanoble5416]

Did you know that Waldoboro had sixteen shipyards of her own? They even launched a five-masted from the shipyard that was near where the town landing is now.

[@SlumberBear2k]

I'm so glad you did a video about these two. Around 1990 I had the opportunity to ride right in between these two ships on my grandfather's boat. All lopsided, brittle and sun bleached, they gave off a mysterious and haunting impression. My grandfather even tried to break off a wooden peg as a souvenir, but couldn't because they were much stronger than they looked. They were so dried out and broken down that I was worried the thing would collapse on us as he tried. I thought these two ships were so awesome and really wanted to climb on board and explore but, unfortunately everyone say "it's not safe". Even though I only got to see them over the course of a few years, by that time they noticeably deteriorating each time I saw them. Sad to see they're gone. To me Wiscasset is missing something without them.

[@AlexLostInWonderland]

Hey! I worked at Maine Maritime briefly last summer! MMM does a lot of good work when it comes to maintaining the maritime history of the state of Maine. Their archives are extensive and their exhibits are really well designed. Anyone in the Bath/Brunswick area who are interested in the seafaring history of Maine and New England should absolutely visit! I really appreciate that you make it up to Maine to cover ships and shipwrecks here, a lot of people overlook Maine’s history despite the extensive ship making and sailing history that Maine is built on. One could probably run a channel just off of Maine’s maritime history, hell, off of Bath Iron Works alone.

[@bethany_dawn5222]

Thank you for posting this. I just got off the phone with my dad telling him about this video. His grandfather and uncle were at the launching of the ship that got stuck during the launch. And then he said that one of his cousins brought him a piece of wood from the dump where the scrap was brought. I will be showing this to him next time I see him.

[@daenorah776]

Though the memories are very faded, I do remember seeing these ships when I was a small child back in the early 90's. I had been thinking about them recently and couldn't remember the names. Then suddenly your video popped up and the thumbnail made me go "That's them! I remember!" Thank you so much for this. 😄

[@ChristofferKeizer]

So cool to see a story so close to home. I remember fondly always looking out for those ships when crossing the bridge as a kid on car trips. Even today I look out to where they used to sit. Sad that they are gone.

[@eledatowle8767]

I was telling my husband the same thing. Every time we crossed the bridge on the way to Belfast, I'd crane my neck to see "The Ships." If I wasn't paying attention, my mother would call out, "Get ready - The Ships are coming up" because they were such an iconic and historic landmark.

[@angelaarsenault]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary! I grew up in the area and my aunt and uncle lived in Wiscasset. Whenever we went to visit them, my parents would drive across the bridge so I could see the old schooners. It was such a sad day when I learned they were torn down and driving through Wiscasset has just never been the same.

[@suemahigian5088]

I saw these ships back in the 90's when I was driving to Rockland to sail on the schooner Heritage. Captain Doug Lee shared their story with me. He is a great resource for Maine maritime heritage.

[@southpaw6666]

Thank you for this great video! Finally, a more detailed documentary about the Hesper and Luther Little. I LOVED stopping to see them as a kid. Throughout the 70's, It was a family tradition to stop and visit them on our way up to my grandparents home in Damariscotta. In our young minds, they seemed like old pirate ships or something to us! We thought they were much older than they actually were. I also remember seeing the similar schooners near Boothbay Harbor as well. The last time I saw them was in 81 or 82 I believe, and I was really saddened to learn of their demise on the Internet decades later. But any time I see pictures of Luther Little and Hesper, it always takes me back to some very special memories. I'd love to get a small piece of wood from one of them someday. Again, Great Video Tom! Thanks!

[@billycarpenter4740]

We lived in Bath during the 1960's and traveled to the family homestead in Bristol Mills. My grandmother went to the big church there in Wiscasset, and it was " going to town" when she shopped in Wiscasset. My sister and I attended church there in Wiscasset many tomes growing up during the 1960's.

[@talesfromanoldmanpatoneal6372]

Another magnificent video/documentary from part-time explorer! Such amazing history. It's a shame that most of the time we don't realize what treasures we have in our presents until it's too late. Great job and as always thanks for taking us on the adventure.

[@ShaunHopkinsAVFC]

I remember seeing these every time we went across the old bridge as a kid, they were kind of spooky if there was a fog. Thank you for doing this

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

I am very thankful to you for these videos, especially the ones about the sailing vessels of history. There is something about these ships as they run aground, are wrecked, or just go to pieces over time that makes me very sad. That was a bygone time when skill mattered and men were courageous to take to the sea in ships like these.

[@river9994]

Such a sad ending for the ships, but damn! While looking at the decaying ships while Gordon Bok's song was playing, well that just took the sorrow to another level 😢

[@beerye9331]

This Gentleman creates wonderful presentations. I especially enjoy the blending of on-site filming and interviews. Well Done

[@died4us590]

I have been waiting for a new video, i love the ghost ship's, ghost town's, and the story of all the sunken ship's. I spent the weekend watching all the content i hadn't seen since subbing awhile ago. I appreciate all the time and effort you put into making these video's,and you do accurate research which is nice. G-d bless.

[@ZoeyGreen-p7j]

I'm from Portland, Maine I love hearing about the history of my state

[@billbelchee1441]

Thanks for this. I recall seeing these ships in 1957 when my family drove by them on our way to Nova Scotia. I have always wanted to know their story.

[@mileshigh1321]

Great forgotten history! The models of the two ships was amazing too! Your video will keep them alive!

[@MrBruinman86]

I remember these ships well. I always made a point of looking at them to see how they were faring when I would pass through Wiscasset. I recall the fire as a kid and them being cut up and removed. It surprised me it was 25 years ago. Doesn't seem that long ago.

[@_hench__5251]

This is my go-to after work chill channel. Thanks so much.

[@_hench__5251]

I actually grew up on the Outer Banks of NC. I know your content is mostly focused on Newfoundland, but the wreck of the Huron is one that I got to see almost on a daily basis when I would go fishing at Nags Head Pier. Even got to take an airplane ride over it a couple times. Check it out. I don't know if it is still visible. Its been 20 years.

[@richardchiriboga4424]

We went by the schooners on the way to Boothbay for years. I have no idea how many photos we took of them. We have photos (somewhere ) of the ships in all seasons . I even bought a t shirt from the group trying to preserve them. Gordon Bok is one of my absolute favorite singer song writers and I still listen to his beautiful voice often. So many memories are flooding back to me right now. Our house on Barter's Island, gunkholing along the coast of Maine and always stopping to take pictures of the Hesper and the Luther Little. So many thanks.

[@billycarpenter4740]

Our family homestead was in Bristol Mills. It was in our family from 1779 until 1973. Many a trip we drove past these 2 ships. Local boys had told us that these were old Viking ships.

[@patrickmcmullen7910]

Your channel has thee Best documentaries on forgotten history. The research and narration are second to none. The embedded personal stories tug at the heart strings. I so much appreciate all the hard work you put into these. Best entertainment and education on KZbin! Thank You!

[@emc2ct354]

Ahhhh! I grew up vacationing in Boothbay and have always wondered what the true history was behind those ships! I was sad to see how little was still visible the last time I drove through there.

[@psivewri]

Thanks for making these videos. I’m endlessly fascinated by old American maritime history.

[@markbowles2382]

Another gem Tom....thank you so much for what you do, best to you and all yours.

[@Mist3rData]

Such a pitty! These two beautifull ships should have been preserved. Thank you for such a beautifull documentary that gives them credit.

[@DrewBlue32]

I am a native Mainer. I got to see these around 1996 and 1997 before they were torn down. So much of Maines history is overlooked. Thank you for this.

[@alanpareis734]

Thank you so much for this. During the 1950s and 60s my family vacationed every summer for a few days in and around Wiscasset. Your Doc filled in many details of these two ships and brought back many fond family memories from my childhood. Keep up the good work.

[@tylerdurden2644]

Used to love those ships as a kid. Was a big part of summer to visit. Later I moored my boat not far from where they laid. Boston Folk have really killed a lot of the charm now. Like they kill everything in Maine.

[@jamesrussell7760]

Thank you for making this video of the ships of Wiscasset. The ships are now long gone, but your video serves as a lasting memorial. Once again, thank you!

[@maggiekelley259]

My partner just said, as I was thinking, "I wish I knew you were in the area!!!" Would have been lovely to just say high to one of our favorite content creators 😊

[@maggiekelley259]

My partner remembers seeing these ships growing up so this is bringing him back btw

[@kinghousebd4748]

Found your channel like 3 days ago and I’ve already binge watched almost every video on the channel 😂. If you ever make your way back to New Jersey there are several other ghost towns and abandoned buildings with very interesting histories I’d be happy to help provide info on. Keep up the great work!

[@maizie9454]

the old sailing ships, schooners, were so beautiful. time is so cruel. thanks for the video

[@anthonyscillia38]

I remember seeing these ships in the 80's when stationed at NAS Brunswick, a sight to behold. Great video, thx!

[@BENDEL420]

Awesome, I’m from Maine and I’m the 1990s loved seeing them as we went over wiscasset bridge! There’s also a neat castle just off rt1 castle tucker. Great jobs on your videos as always!!!

[@Dark_Skies_Inside]

Your Channel is always so informative... I've been watching it for 2 years now... I've always found it interesting... The effort you put into finding the right information is very evident through every minute of your video... Keep it up Bro... ❤

[@gailnewcomb8256]

Great documentary! Thank you for sharing it! It’s kind of sad what kids will do without thinking, while they are unsupervised.

[@porkturtle8321]

Yes! Have not watched this yet but definitely will. What a surprise when I saw this in my youtube feed. As a kid in the 80's on our yearly trips up to Maine, I can remember sitting in the backseat face pressed to the window as we crossed the bridge, transfixed at the sight of these two massive rotting hulks just off shore. "Mom, Hey Mom- what happened to those big boats and why are they just sitting there like that?" ...and then years later in the 90's, on another trip, I noticed they were gone. I have since learned more about these two schooners but cannot wait to see this video because I know Mr. Lynskey will do a fantastic job with this as he usually does. 👍

[@baconation3771]

another excellent video. You have awakened my forgotten desire to learn more about my ancestors. Thank you and keep at it. We drove past this spot every weekend when I was younger and we often wondered about those ships.

[@charlestosi5199]

Remember them , first in the late 60’s. Always looked to the right, when northbound, just before the bridge. On the left was the home of a lobster roll. Last drive through Wiscasset was in the early 2000’s. Always loved to ride to Downeast. Thanks for putting meat on the bones of those old ladies.

[@michaeljoyce813]

Thanks for the video. I never knew the history behind the schooners. I like many photographed them back in 1987 on the way to Boothbay Harbor.

[@Redhand1949]

I saw them when they still looked like sailing ships in the 1980s. They were both mysterious and majestic. Many years later I revisited the place and the outer one was no longer "shipshape," and more just a pile of lumber in the water. It was one of those sights that created a strong "nothing lasts forever" feeling, even when one thinks it should. I always wondered about their history. Thanks so much for bringing it to light.

[@MoonwolfeConsulting]

Fond memories seeing both vessels as we crossed the bridge past them each summer. A priceless memory of family vacations. Thanks

[@AleBober]

Absolutely lovely part where you interviewed the people who remember the ships, gives it such a unique feel.

[@garymackey850]

I had wondered what happened to them...I stayed across the river at the "Rivers Edge Inn" from Dec 1984 to Jun 1985 and saw them every day on my way to Bath. Sad to see the lack of vision from the town residents for not preserving the relics....//

[@2nicnag2]

My 15 year old son has been the top history student the last 3 years and he’s considered becoming a history teacher himself, he is a military history buff and truly believes that we can’t forget the past or it will repeat itself, he has studied and written papers on men like Hitler and Stalin and their rise to power and propaganda. He’s considered becoming a contractor to design wheeled and tracked military vehicles (not into boats or planes). Thank you for introducing many of us to these ships for the first time while also keeping their memories alive

[@carlgomm9699]

Awesome show, I'm originally from Maine, retired now and live in Florida, I still have postcards featuring these two beauties, always wanted a couple of block and tackles from them

[@billycarpenter4740]

Similar story here. We lived in Bath during the 1960's and traveled to Bristol Mills to see grandma. Local kids told us kids they were old "Viking ships". Living in Palm Bay, Florida now.

[@sethlawrence2226]

I'm lucky to have a painting of the ships by Earle C. Merrill dated Nov. 12, 1965. When I look at it, I'm reminded of when I was younger seeing them in Wiscasset.

[@sandrablanchette2239]

I'm from Maine and always looked for those ships when i went to Wiscasset. Also really enjoyed the song.

[@lukehorning3404]

I remember driving by them as a kid and I was really sad to see them go Thanks for the video

[@dankulkosky6045]

Watching your videos sparked a memory from my childhood of seeing a derelict sailing ship somewhere on the Atlantic seaboard between Maine and Connecticut. I was thinking of emailing P-T E to ask if he had any ideas, but this video may well have the answer. In my childhood, sometime between 1965-1969, I remember seeing a derelict sailing ship. It was lying on the shoreline, not near anything that looked like a dock. The old ship was tilted slightly. I remember that no sails or rigging were visible. But I could not remember where this was, only that it was somewhere on the coast between Maine and Connecticut, certainly no farther south than New Jersey. The Wicasset ships are very likely what I saw. We used to vacation every year in Maine at two places: Sebago Lake and Old Orchard Beach. Orchard is quite a long drive from Wicasset (according to Google Maps), but Sebago Lake is only about an hour hand a half from there. The only doubt I have is that I don't remember seeing two ships. But unless anyone is aware of another derelict sailing ship just lying in the sand in the Northeastern US, than these ghost ships must have been what I saw.

[@Mattf121]

Fascinating video as usual. Shame that even the Luther Little (may have borked that name) couldn't even be saved, thankfully documentaries like this help with documenting ships of historical significance like this.

[@dianemcewen8922]

I really liked the video thank you,back in 1968 a year after I was married I was 23 we traveled to Maine ,we found these ships it was Low tide then and I walked out to them on a square beam it was very slippery,now I know the story thanks mike McEwen

[@JadeDelphi]

I remember seeing these ships in Wiscasset when I was a kid. My father was from Maine and so we used to often summer there to visit relatives, and I always wondered what the story was of these hulks. Thank you for this informative and comprehensive video!

[@babbittybabbitt]

Part-Time Explorer uploads we drop everything lmao Great video as always!

[@DonaldMcKay3768]

This brings back memories for me, too. As a teenager in the 70's, I drove a tiny sports car from my home in NJ to Nova Scotia -- an adventure in itself. I remember crossing the bridge at Wiscasset and looking over the rail at the mastless hulk heeled over against the one with her masts still standing. They are gone now. This is sad indeed, you never really think that something that size can just disappear but of course it did. Thank you for filling in the history. In Beach Haven, NJ, a much smaller 3-masted schooner, also built in Maine, was turned into a gift shop in the 1940's. I visited her often as I spent summers there in childhood. She eventually caught fire and burned to the ground she had been embedded in on an unusually high tide. This was around 1970? You might consider making a video of her, too -- the name was Lucy Evelyn.

[@kseniaolk2625]

It's always a good day when your vid comes out!!

[@donnanoble5416]

When I saw your video of the Cora F Cressey, I wondered if you knew about the Hesper and the Luther Little. I first saw them back in the 60s, and then passed by them regularly when I moved to the area in the late 70s. It broke my heart to seem them melting into the river bed, but did understand when they demolished them. I have a handcrafted pen made from the wood of one of the ships - the craftsman didn't know which one. Thank you for doing such an extensively researched video into the history of this gallant pair of ships.

[@YrnehLrak]

Just "found" your channel again last night, and turned on the bell to get all notifications. And here you are today!

[@williambliss6087]

I was an over the road salesman in New England during the 1970s. It was always remarkable to see those two ships rotting in the harbor in Wiscasset. I live in Oregon these days, but my New England days are fondly remembered. I cannot tell you how much I love New England, even though I'm a Californian.

[@user-iamRobinV68]

I swear you need a show on History Channel!!! Love it. 😊😊😊

[@GlacialErratic]

On a family vacation in 1987, my parents took my little brother and I on a road trip to Maine and down the east coast. Very much by accident we came across these two ships. Thanks for your effort to preserve the memories of these ships and so many others associated with them.

[@p.k.5455]

You do so well at keeping the old and forgotten brought back to life!!!

[@lindadapp4303]

This was so interesting and quite a history lesson. Very well researched and narrated. I had seen the ships most of my life and it was a shame to see them go. Was so great to see them again in all their glory! My great grandfather, Walter E Reid, built the five masted schooner "The Bright". Our house used to carry the name plate from the ship. I still have the ship logs. All so interesting of times gone by.

[@psycocavr]

I started working for the Navy in 1988 and they sent me several times to bath main in 1990 and 91. I remember I went to see friends up in Lincolnville and when I went across wiscasset I saw the schooners and stopped and went back in the town and spent several hours there. If I took any photographs I can't find them anymore. But I will never forget those ships. They look so majestic

[@karlwolf8703]

I am from Iowa but spent a few summers in Maine a number of years ago. These two ships are, sadly, now gone but I have photos from our time there (as well as a Kennedy print). How wonderful to learn more about these two ghost ships. Well done!

[@nordisk1874]

No talk about the museum? The most historic railway in New England! That was connected to these ships via their former owners. The WW&F besides the East Broad Top, Nevada Northern and White Pass and Yukon are the only heritage railroads in this country that are on their original row with original equipment. The museum started as one man’s dream and converted the abandoned row to a first class ride. He purchased so much of the railroad’s stock from the late owners estate.

[@jaredkennedy6576]

These were an icon of the Wiscasset waterfront all through my life. In school i had to draw them from a picture for an art class. I remember going past them on summer family trips, and in checking out the old WW&F Rwy history. I had learned a little about the history of these as a tangent to my railroad enthusiasm, but there was a lot of new information here.

[@lawend2]

Thank you for sharing. I love your videos. They are very well done and your narration is very relaxing to listen to. Can’t wait for the next one. I also enjoy that you read out Rrrr Mmm each time at the end.

[@eugenemorris6097]

This was fabulous I enjoyed every minute and just had to subscribe thanks 😊.

[@benjaminmatheny6683]

These small local histories are so often lost. Great to see preservation, especially as the video format gives a great impression that a book can't quite equal.

[@sherimcdaniel3491]

Those ships came to life again with your telling of their stories. So sad that they came to the end they did! The music you added was, of course, perfect. Thanks so much for taking me with you to discover what was there to discover! They must’ve been just a beautiful thing to see them at sail!!! 🥲

[@pirateshack9315]

Thank You Tom & Emma, been there many times but never knew their stories, great and very thorough work ! Keep Going !!!

[@holopilot2241]

I never would have known about these ships had it been for your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@jenniferingle888]

I love your content! Very happy to have a new video from you. Now time for a snack and to settle in for an awesome video!

[@josephwarra5043]

And also mostly forgotten; the Chudistan, one of the largest if not the largest sailing ships ever to sail the seas, gone but not forgotten.

[@buster7618]

Greetings from Maine. Love when you cover stories from our state, keep up the great content

[@lostrailbeds8289]

Each video gets better, and deeper, and more interesting! Great work...really enjoy your presentations!

[@hcourier]

Between 1953 and 1966 I traveled to Brookliin, ME from Massachusetts from the day school was out until a few days before it began, I was in elementary school at the time. During the years 1952 until probably around 1959 (a guess) we traveled through Wiscasset and I remember seeing the two old sailing ships. I always wondered about their history. As I grew older I located the history of the vessels, however, I never knew what was their final fate until listening to this video. Over the years I became a fan of large wooden sailing ships. It's a good fgeeling that the people of Wiscasset supported the two vessels for so long, and even now remember their presences in the town. Ray Mansfield

[@conrad4094]

Very interesting. Thank you . This reminded me of a similar tale of two vessels; the Resolution and the Ros Muc , two 50 ft wooden fishing boats of a traditional design common to Ireland and Scotland. They ended up slowly collapsing into each other over several decades . I watched this process unfold during many family holiday trips to the area of the coast of Kerry , Ireland where they spent their last years . I was fascinated by boats as a boy and those two struck some chord with me . I was very sad when they were finally gone

[@joefitz7972]

Great documentary - the optimistic but also very realistic and fact based assessment of coal found on the shore is exactly why I love these videos over other similar (often inaccurate) channels..

[@maryannebeauchamp1649]

Such a sad end 4 those 2 4-masted ships.😢 Thx 4 the interesting history. I am a dedicated follower of your videos.

[@rickjensen2589]

Your videos are great. I enjoyed this one as I have any of yours I've watch. Love to see you do one on James Strang (the king of Beaver Island , MI. 1850 to 57). I hope you look into it. Thanks for the wonderful videos.

[@mundanestuff]

Oh man, I was JUST there last week, at Red's and Sprague's to eat lobster rolls and visit family in Brunswick. It's a lovely area for sure. I did see something about this at the Maritime Museum, but didn't realize how iconic these ships were.

[@drscopeify]

Another fantastic video. You set the story so wonderfully. Doing some search I found out that the ship builder Reed Brothers / CrownShield only ever built these 2 Schooners in the video that ended up next to each other, which is amazing really, they did not have previous experience with Schooners so to out of the blue and build these 2 massive ships is a serious feat. The Ship builders did go on to build many more boats and ships, they built Patrol boats, tugs, Yachts, mostly fishing boats, the last being in 1945 when I guess after the end of WW2 the close up.

[@patriciabonitz5758]

These ships were really beautiful. You did a great job in telling their stories.