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Restoration Log

1/1-31/2025:  Boat remains in North East for January through March. Monitoring is being done by Dennis and Rusty.  Dennis is ramping up support for getting the COI.  A haul out will be required this spring to prepare for USCG fastener, hull, and stability inspections.  This will be done in Cambridge if funding is available to cover the costs.  

 

12/8/2024:  Boat moved to North East by Rusty, Karl, Dennis and other volunteers.  She will remain there to continue minor maintenance work and await a move to Cambridge later in the winter for haul out and preparation for COI.

 

10/1-11/30/2024:  Miscellaneous minor maintenance work done during October and November. Boat awaiting move to North East or Cambridge in early December.

9/1-30/2024:  Miscellaneous work items continue.  Head installation, running rigging continues to be a challenge.  Shake down cruises have begun.  Pushboat is getting beat up from large wakes.  Combings and other wood work need to be done.

 

 

8/1-31/2024 -- Summer heat has slowed restoration work.  Painting and minor mechanical tasks have continued.  A plan for the COI process was begun in July.

 

 

6/1/2024 — Dennis and some new volunteers are doing a lot of scraping, sanding, priming, and painting of topside structures.  Captain Rusty is working on rigging. Karl has repaired the compromised wood on the bow of the push boat. New blocks for the davit falls have been procured by Rusty.

 

 

5/2/2024 — Moved boat from Charlestown Marina to Hutchins Park in Havre de Grace. Departure at 1415hrs, arrival in HdG at 1810hrs.  Captain Rusty Geis, Dennis Taylor, Karl Fockler, Tom Carroll, Brady Stroh, Carolyn Zinner, and Vivian onboard.  Sunny weather, 5-10 kt breeze from the SSE, 75 F. Engine performed well.  Port side snubber eye on push boat  pulled out along the way.  No other issues. Docking at Hutchins Park was a new challenge.  But eventually got boat docked, stern in, with no issues. Boat was secured and remains in port. 

 

4/30/2024 — Berthed on the T on C-Dock at Charlestown Marina during the month of April.  Minor restoration work was done and some work was done on the running rigging.

 

 

4/2/2024 — Skipjack Martha Lewis arrived at Charlestown Marina last evening at 2358hrs, exactly 17 hours after her departure from Cambridge. It was a long, wet, at times foggy, but safe passage. Martha will remain in Charlestown for a few weeks to prepare for return to her home port at Hutchins Park in Havre de Grace. Many thanks to Captain Rusty and his hearty crew.

 

 

4/1/2024 — Skipjack Martha Lewis is on her way home! Captain Rusty Geis and his crew, Dennis Taylor, Tom Carroll, Karl Fockler, John Saville, and Mark Ward departed from Martha’s berth at the Richardson Maritime Museum in Cambridge at 0658. She was escorted out of the harbor and into the Choptank River by Captain Woody Labat on MV Dudley. The trip up the bay is expected to take 12-14 hours.

 

 

3/29/2024 — As of this hour the Skipjack Martha Lewis crew plans to depart from Cambridge on Monday, April 1 at 0600. The destination is Charlestown, MD where Martha’s restoration will resume. The crew anticipates arriving at its destination approximately 12-14 hours after departure from Cambridge. The Monday weather looks to be nominal — cloudy, light rain, light winds. The crew may decide to pull into Rock Hall if progress up the bay is slow or if weather conditions deteriorate. We will keep you posted here of any changes to this plan. Martha will make her grand return to Havre de Grace as soon as welcoming plans can be made.

 

3/8/2024 -  A major milestone for Martha Lewis today.  Martha last moved under her own power in November 2013. Finally, TODAY, she pulled away from the dock, under power, for her sea trial on the Choptank River. She performed beautifully under the command of Captain Rusty Geis and his crew, board members Dennis Taylor, Tom Carroll, and Karl Fockler. Congrats gentlemen. After a few final tweaks and adjustments, she will be ready to head up the bay to Havre de Grace

3/2/2024 -  Attempted sea trial but held up by minor push boat rigging and control issues and the weather. Rescheduled sea trial for March 8

2/29/2024 - Final preparations for sea trial.  Push boat controls and rigging done.

 

1/31/2024 - Winter hiatus. Still working on solving pushboat issues.

 

12/31/2023 - Pushboat starter and electrical issues continue to be a problem.  The plan is to move the pushboat into the Richardson barn right after the holidays and solve the problem.

11/30/2023 - Continued problems with the pushboat: hull leaks and drive train issues. Working with Richardsons and Yacht Maintenance to resolve.  Other miscellaneous details continue to prepare for Martha's return to HdG

 

10/31/2023 - Rusty and his crew (Dennis and Tom) continue to finish up work that needs to be done to bring Martha back to HdG.  The push boat continues to have some serious leaks and may have to be re-blocked to resolve - suspect stuffing box and hull. Rusty has fiberglassed the hull.  But there may be some issues with the keel and prop shaft. Here are the tasks that remain to be done before returning to HdG and beginning operations:

  • Finish tuning standing rigging and mast wedges with boot

  • Rig boom lift

  • Running rigging, sail bending, and ballast loading

  • Resolve push boat leak and connect to Martha

  • Push boat engine controls and umbilical attached

  • Aft cabin sole

  • Transport, procure and install ballast

  • Fuel system connected and tested  

  • Anchor and rode installed 

  • Sonar depth finder installed

  • VHF radio installed

  • Head installed

  • Sea trials/maneuvers on river

  • Crew assembled and trained for trip to Hdg

  • Safety equipment installed and inspected 

  • Dock lines and fenders installed 

 

 

9/25/2023 - Rusty continues to make progress on the rigging. The push boat has some leaks and may have to be re-blocked to resolve - suspect stuffing box. Here are the tasks that remain to be done before returning to HdG and beginning operations:

  • Finish tuning standing rigging and mast wedges with boot

  • Rig boom lift

  • Rig Center board lift

  • Running rigging, sail bending, and ballast loading

  • Resolve push boat leak and connect to Martha

  • Push boat engine controls and umbilical attached

  • Aft cabin sole

  • Transport, procure and install ballast

  • Fuel system connected and tested 

  • Navigation lights and horn installed 

  • Anchor and rode installed 

  • Sonar depth finder installed

  • VHF radio installed

  • Head installed

  • Sea trials/maneuvers on river

  • Crew assembled and trained for trip to Hdg

  • Safety equipment installed and inspected 

  • Dock lines and fenders installed 

  • Docking location/plan in HdG established 

 

 

 

9/4/2023 - Rusty continues to make progress on the rigging. The pushboat engine has been serviced and certified by the shop in Oxford and Karl has recaulked the bottom. Tom and Winnie have applied the name decals to the transom. Here are the tasks that remain to be done before returning to HdG and beginning operations:

  • Finish tuning standing rigging and mast wedges with boot

  • Attach boom and rig boom lift

  • Center board lift rigged

  • Running rigging, sail bending, and ballast loading

  • Push boat rigged to Martha

  • Push boat engine controls and umbilical attached

  • Aft cabin sole

  • Transport, procure and install ballast

  • Fuel system connected and tested 

  • Navigation lights and horn installed 

  • Anchor and rode installed 

  • Sonar depth finder installed

  • VHF radio installed

  • Head installed

  • Sea trials/maneuvers on river

  • Crew assembled and trained for trip to Hdg

  • Safety equipment installed and inspected 

  • Dock lines and fenders installed 

  • Docking location/plan in HdG established 

 

 

8/10/2023 - Final restoration work continues to prepare Martha for her move to Havre de Grace.  Here is a list of tasks that must be completed to bring her home:

  • Finish tuning standing rigging and mast wedges with boot

  • Attach boom and rig boom lift

  • Center board lift rigged

  • Running rigging, sail bending, and ballast loading

  • Push boat hull sealing

  • Push boat engine servicing and Yanmar certification 

  • Push boat rigged to Martha

  • Push boat engine controls and umbilical attached

  • Steering gear housing

  • Aft cabin sole

  • Fuel system tested 

  • Navigation lights and horn installed 

  • Anchor and rode installed 

  • Home port transom lettering and push boat stickers 

  • Sonar depth finder installed

  • VHF radio installed

  • Head installed

  • Sea trials/maneuvers on river

  • Crew assembled and trained for trip to Hdg

  • Safety equipment installed and inspected 

  • Dock lines and fenders installed 

  • Docking location/plan in HdG established 

 

7/14/2023 - Mast was successfully stepped (with Composite Yacht lift). Standing rigging was nominally attached but will require additional securing and tuning. Wedges at the deck level and the step need to be added. The boom was positioned next to the boat in preparation for attaching to the mast. 

 

7/13/2023 - Mast moved (with Composite Yacht life) to boat and positioned for stepping.  Stepping was delayed until next day due to anticipated bad weather and some "tangling" of the standing rigging during positioning.

 

7/10/2023 - Martha has been in the water and has been taking up nicely for the past month.  During the month of June minor repairs and adjustments have been made to remedy a few stubborn leaks. There has also been miscellaneous work done, such as painting, some electrical work, and preparation of the standing rigging to get ready for an early to mid July stepping.  Stay tuned for the mast stepping which will hopefully happen on Thursday, July 13.

 

5/30/2023 - A decision was made to keep Martha in the water as she was taking up nicely.  She was moved to a slip next to the lift well.  A few repairs will be made around the centerboard trunk to stem the leakage.  She will remain at this location for about a week. Everything is looking good!

 

 

5/26/2023 - Martha was transported by TravelLift to the launch well at Yacht Maintenance.  A group of about 50 supporters was on hand for the event.  Martha was lowered into the water around 1500 where she would remain in the slings until the following Tuesday morning.  The pumps went into action and kept water out over the weekend.  Water was seeping in at a number of locations and a few "gushers" were also observed.  The pumps kept up nicely over the weekend.

 

5/25/2023 - The mast was moved out of the workshop and blocked outside. Martin Hardy from Composite Yacht provided the lift equipment. Also on this day, Martha was moved from under the shed, where she has been for the past four years.  She was moved just a few hundred yards away to a location where the travel life from Yacht Maintenance could access her.

 

 

5/1/ t0 5/24/2023 - Final preparations for splash. Dennis finished up the electrical work and got pumps in place for splash.  Bottom seams were payed and the bottom was painted.  Got sign-off from USCG to go ahead with putting the boat in the water.  Rusty continued work on the standing rigging. The mast step rework was completed by Steve at RMM. Other minor odds and ends were completed in preparation for the splash. Cribbing was removed to make way for the lift trailer.

 

4/1/to 4/30/2023 - Continuation of final restoration work in anticipation of late May splash. The fastener inspection was completed and approved by the Coast Guard.  Work still remains to be done to prepare the push boat's engine and hull before it is rigged to Martha. Electrical work including pumps and battery banks is still in progress and should be completed by mid-May. Rusty is making great progress on the standing rigging and is beginning the planning for the running rigging. Plans for the COI documents and inspections are underway.

 

1/1 to 3/31/2023 - The first quarter of 2023 has been spent restoring the mast step and meeting the requirements of the USCG hull and fastener inspection.  Richardsons has reworked the mast step, which has included fabrication and installation of a laminated strongback upon which the new mast will be stepped. As of 3/31/2023 that work was nearing completion.  As for the USCG hull and fastener inspection, extensive work has be done on the forward starboard side of the boat where new staving was fabricated and replaced. The forward port side has also required the replacement of a number of staves and the replacement of the top plank from the stem, aft about 16 feet.  The davit structure for the pushboat has been re-installed as has the steering gear. A number of fasteners on the aft starboard side of the boat have also been replaced.  In addition to all of these tasks, finishing of the aft and forward cabin tops (doghouses) are progressing.  The bilge pump systems are also being brought up to USCG standards.  With these tasks being completed, the boat should be ready for splashing in early to mid May.  The logistics of planning the move from Martha's current drydock location, over to the liftwell, and into the water will be completed in the coming weeks.  

 

 

12/31/2022 - Electrical wiring continued through the end of the year (Dennis) as did the replacement of wood in and around the mast step. A new strongback and other structural members were replaced or reinforced by Richardson staff. 

 

10/24/2022 - Dennis & Karl worked on installing fuel tank under steps. Tom prepped for final top coat on aft deck house and a sundry of other immensely important tasks. Richardson’s (Ken) continued removing bad wood from keel, prepping for the new laminated mast step. The fuel tank is in and secured. The deck fill is in.  Keel repair started, port stringer repair started. Dry fitted and primed. Keel and first stringer repair should be completed Monday. Finished instal of bilge pumps with installation of mid pumps discharge hoses.

 

9/1/2022-9/30/2022 - Work continued on a variety of tasks including installing the steering gear, applying coats of finish the the mast and boom, and preparations for stepping of the new mast.  During that preparation significant rot was discovered on the mast step.  That situation is being assessed and corrective measures are being planned.  The extent of the rot is not yet completely understood. Work also began on the electrical system with Dennis procuring the required materials. Steve is nearing completion of the push boat mating notch fabrication. 

 

8/1/2022 - 8/31/2022 - Not much work done in August as the crew took some time off.to escape the heat and take vacations.

 

7/1/2022 - 7/15/2022 - Work continued this month on the new mast.  The birds-beak cut were completed by John Swain and the Richardson staff.  A work party of staff and volunteers (including vols from Nathan of Dorchester) came together on July 13 to assemble the mast pieces. The process was completed in less than three hours, thanks to the meticulous planning and work flows organized by John Swain. It was a very smooth and successful operation.  Dennis Taylor and the CHC volunteers continued with painting, boom restoration, and other details. Dennis also met with the USCG to update them on our progress. The Coast Guard was pleased with the quality of the work being done. They gave the green light to proceed.

 

6/1/2022 - 6/30/2022 - Work began this month on the new mast.  The wood was ripped and planed to the dimensions needed to begin making the complex birds-beak cuts. John Swain and the Richardson staff and volunteers are doing this work.  Dennis Taylor and the CHC volunteers continued with painting, boom restoration, and other details in preparation for a late summer splash.

 

5/1/2022 - 5/30/2022 - Bowsprit reattached, forward cabin top replaced, steering gear loaded back on deck, bottom prep finished up, wood ordered for mast fabrication, restoration/painting of various hardware components, pushboat umbilical fabrication begun.  All work is planned and supervised by Dennis Taylor. Numerous volunteers have pitched in to help.  Looking to splash sometime after the Fourth of July.  John Swain to fabricate mast in June and July. 

 

4/1/2022 - 5/1/2022 - Continued bottom prep and painting and restoration of various deck items.

 

2/1/2022 - 3/1/2022 - Resumed work -- painting, bottom prep and painting, rail on quarterdeck restored, pushboat notch restored.

 

1/1/22 - present -  Taking a break from outdoor restoration tasks while waiting for the harsh winter weather to ease.  We'll hopefully be back in action sometime in February.

 

9/1/21 - 12/31/21 -  Richardson staff and volunteers are working on scraping and painting the hull and decks.  Other tasks, such as refurbishment of the cabin tops, bowsprit, and pushboat notch are underway. 

 

7/1/21 - 8/31/21 -  Richardson staff and CHC volunteers completed work on the decks and centerboard, having caulked and sealed all surfaces. The bowsprit has been refinished, and primer paint has been applied to the starboard side.  The new side planking on the starboard side was completed in mid- August. Work to re-install the forward and aft cabin doghouses is nearly completed. Port side plank repairs (patching and replacement) was begun at the end of August. 

 

6/5/21 - Dennis Taylor, Karl Fockler, Tom Carroll, and Michael Donlon continued with mid-deck caulking and sealing and began working on the aft deck caulking. They worked from 9am until materials ran out in early afternoon. Richardson has sourced the lumber for the starboard side planking. 2-inch thicknesses were unavailable so they secured 1-inch stock which will be laminated and faired to 2-inch side planking.  Final work continues on the cabins and doghouses.

 

5/22/21 - Dennis Taylor, Karl Fockler, Brady Stroh, and 7 other CHC volunteers worked on caulking the main deck.  Caulking instruction was accomplished via a video and hands-on instruction by Woody. The group worked from 9;30 am until 3:00 pm.  Lunch was served.  It was an excellent workday -- the first volunteer workday in many years.

 

5/10/21 - Dennis Taylor, Brady Stroh, Tom Carroll and Con Burdon. Finished leaning below deck and around decks is done. Fuel fill is in and tank is set. Most decking is in. A lot is plugged. Hull planking is sourced. Will be laminating planks. May 22 workday is coming together nicely with plenty to do. Brady interviewed Peter for next instructional video.

4/26/21 - Dennis Taylor, Brady Stroh, Tom Carroll and Con Burdon completed cleaning the hull and decks. Met with Richardson reps to plan side planking work and deck seam caulking.  It was decided that a volunteer work party be scheduled for May 22. Richardson staff will train volunteers on the art of caulking.

 

4/19/21 - Dennis Taylor, Brady Stroh, Tom Carroll and Con Burdon continued cleaning the hull and decks. A lot of wood cuttings and sawdust was removed. Still waiting for delivery of side planking material.

 

4/12/21 - Dennis Taylor and Tom Carroll worked on cleaning up the worksite and positioning the new feel tank into place.

3/27/21 - Karl Fockler transported the winder assembly to the worksite in Cambridge.

3/5/21 - Karl Fockler, Dennis Taylor and Brady Stroh met at the ODEC Wildcat facility in Cecil County to load the winder, winder housing, and standing rigging materials.  Karl provided the trailer and the load was successfully completed by ODEC techs.  Karl will be storing the trailer full of equipment until it can be transported to the restoration site in Cambridge.

 

2/26/21 - Karl Fockler, Dennis Taylor, Brady Stroh, Tom Carroll, and Frazier Walker met with the Coast Guard Marine inspector at the boat in Cambridge.  The inspector was generally pleased with the quality and extent of work that has been completed.  He pointed out a few items that need to be corrected in the forward end of the boat around the forepeak, and a few additional planks on the portside forward at the cap rail. Nothing major.  We covered all aspects of the work yet to be completed and got approval on our methods. We developed a good working relationship with our new Coast Guard rep. We also met with Peter, jim, and Steve from Richardsons, and John Swain, to discuss resumption of work in early March.  They showed us a model of how the new laminated mast will be fabricated. (VIEW)

 

2/16/21 - U.S. Coast Guard meeting scheduled for 2/26 to review specs and standards and bring Coast Guard up to date on our progress.  Dennis Taylor obtained new quotes for electrical system materials.

 

1/15/21 - Richardson and CHC reps (Fockler, Taylor, Stroh) met to begin to iron out the details of the partnership and to set the schedule for continuing work on the project. MHAA funding is in the bank, allowing us to proceed.

 

11/30/20 - CHC received word that the Richardson board voted in favor of pursuing a partnership arrangement with CHC for the final restoration and operation of Skipjack Martha Lewis.  Terms of that arrangement will be developed by the end of 2020.

 

10/30/20 - Formal partnership talks between CHC and Richardson began with a meeting of Jane Devlin, Jim Brighten, Karl Fockler, Dennis Taylor, and Brady Stroh at Richardson offices in Cambridge.  Various aspects of a functional relationship were discussed.  The partnership concept will be presented to the Richardson board.

9/15/20 - CHC board meets to discuss pursuing a partnership with the Richardson Maritime Museum in Cambridge.  The board voted in favor of a partnership.

Winter 2020 - Dennis Taylor achieved formal approval for the electrical plan.

Spring 2020 - Linda Read pursued various grants for the restoration project.  The MHAA grant was won and funds will be available in October 2020. The initial match requirement was waived due to the pandemic.

 

1/1/20  - Restoration is on hold for the time being.  New grant applications are being submitted in the hopes that work can resume by mid summer 2020.

 

3/1/19 - present: Aft and fore cabin rebuilds, structural member replacement, centerboard trunk repairs, new decking, steering servicing, and side planking are ongoing. New laminated mast construction is scheduled for early 2020. Electrical plan submitted to USCG by Dennis Taylor in November 2019 -- waiting for final approvals. Waiting for funding approval by board to order new sails and covers. Standing rigging and running rigging will commence in late winter 2020..

 

2/6/19 -  Karl, Dennis, and Brady go to Ruark Boatyard in Cambridge to discuss the scope of work for the final restoration project.  The USCG is contacted to set up a field visit to provide guidance on particular aspect of the project

1/11/19 - Martha is hauled out and drydocked at Ruark Boatyard

1/8/19 - Martha is towed to Ruark Boatworks in Cambridge by Capt. Marshall Wingate.  Left HdG at 0700 and arrived in Cambridge at 1715. Karl, Dennis and Tom were onboard.  Brady returned the crew to HdG via car.  Was a flawless move to Cambridge.

 

1/4-1/6/2019 -  Preparations for planned tow to Cambridge, MD on 1/7/19. Work included loading the boom onto the deck.  Karl, Dennis, and Tom manhandled this task.

12/18 - Negotiations were initiated by Karl Fockler to enter a partership with the Richardson Marina Museum and Ruark Boatworks in Cambridge, MD.  An agreement was signed and the boat will be towed to Cambridge in early January.

 

3/18 - 12/18 -  Buddy Anderson completed restoration of the push-boat and continued work on the decks and aft-cabin.  The pace of work was modest.  Dennis Taylor and CHC volunteers including Tom Carroll, Karl Fockler, and others assisted with work on the push-boat (mainly painting) and on Martha.  Scaffolding with tarping was erected to protect Martha from the elements.  Dennis and Tom maintained watch during this time period to make sure pumps were kept in working order.  Martha is still relatively dry, with pumps only coming on a few minutes per day.  

 

2/12/18 - Dennis Taylor is assuming the day to day field supervision of the project. He met with Chris Scarlato and Brian Heimbaugh of ODEC to plan removal of he winder engine assembly.  ODEC will be restoring the engine, engine housing and the engine mounts at their shop.  This will occur in early March 2018

 

1/12/17 - All work suspended for the winter.  The wood removed from the aft cabin was replaced with plywood for the winter.  All pumps are functioning properly.  Work to resume in March

 

11/8/17 - Rafe Weber and Buddy Anderson of Havre de Grace Marine Center resumed restoration work in earnest this week.  The pencil sized leak in the starboard bow that has plagued Martha all summer was easily found and sealed.  Another small leak around the centerboard trunk is being similarly addressed.  The boat is now tight with pumps coming on only once or twice a day for only a minute or two each time.  All pumps on the boat are now working automatically with float switches restored and battery bank charged.  The dredge winder assembly has been unfastened and is ready for transport to ODEC for restoration. The main aft cabin is being deconstructed and compromised wood is being removed. There was slightly more rotten wood than expected but nothing that will affect the restoration plan.  As the weather gets colder Rafe will build a canopy over the push boat and begin work on it.  Things are moving along according to plan.  

 

 

11/6/17 - Discovery Traveler bus was removed from the Water Street lot by salvager.

 

11/1/17 - Martha was returned to a berth at Havre de Grace Marine Center where final restoration will proceed through spring of 2018. HdG Marine Center is now under contract to restore. decks, cabins, and the yawl (push) boat.

 

9/1/16-11/1/17 - Restoration work was suspended pending procurement of funding.  During this period the boat was moved to a berth at Hutchins Park in Havre de Grace where she was tended to by a group of volunteers. She was checked almost daily. Bilge pumping and hull/deck salting continued throughout this period. The mast and boom were periodically checked by shipwright Rafe Weber and volunteers. 

 

8/19/16 - A few stabilization tasks were completed by Rafe Weber (See Rafe's work log). Restoration work halted temporarily pending assessment of financial status of restoration fund.

 

8/12/16 - Martha splashed by. United Crane and Rigging, HdG Marinas, and CHC volunteers. Al went well and Martha took on very little water. She took up very well. 

 

7/31/16 - Hull restoration details completed. (See Rafe Weber's work log)

 

7/15/16 - Bottom replanking completed and restoration of rotten tramsom wood begun. Topsides scraping continues.

 

6/1/16 - Starboard side bottom planking begun by Rafe Weber and topsides deck paint continued by volunteers: Jenny Dunn, Lisa VanZant, Gary Bowen and son. Tom finishes boom and begins bowsprit work.

 

5/31/16 - Dennis  and Tom continue mast, boom, and bowsprit surface prep started in April

 

5/31/16 - Portside bottom planking and all forward staving completed by Rafe Weber and Buddy Anderson. Still needs fairing and caulking.

 

5/28/16 - Topsides scraping continues with B Stroh and G Bowen and son

 

5/27/16 - Topsides scraping started by B Stroh and J Dunn

 

5/14/16 - Inside of hull cleaned and vacuumed by B Stroh and J Dunn

 

5/10/16 - Picked up wood order at Old World in Centerville, MD. 323 board feet $2315. Stacked wood in shed at HdG Marine Center.

 

4/30/16 - Work continues on bottom planking.

 

4/20/16 - Additional wood for bottom work is ordered from Joe Connor to be delivered the first week in May. Beginning to make arrangements for a crane to splash Martha. Chris Scarlato is helping with this.

 

4/15/16 - Rafe Weber and Buddy Anderson continue replacing staves, cross-planks, and port side longitudinal stringers. Rafe's shipwright log provides the details.

 

3/9/16 - Tidewater Marina in Havre de Grace with assistance from Havre de Grace Marine center, moved the mast, boom, bowsprit and other equipment from Hutchins Park to the Water Street jobsite. The Havre de Grace Marine Center crew began removing old planks and shaping new ones -- we have finally begun the preliminary restoration.

 

2/18/16 - Pushboat and centerboard are transported from TYSC in Port Covington to Havre de Grace Marine Center. Tome's Landing Marina provided the trailers for the transport. Jeff Harris and Brady Stroh did the move.

 

2/12/16 - Lumber for bottom planking was delivered to Havre de Grace Marine Center by Joe Connor at New World Trading Company. Rafe Weber checked the wood in and assessed its conditiom as excellent. 

 

1/13/16 - Martha is transported from TYSC in Port Covington (Baltimore) to the restoration site at 649 Water Street in Havre de Grace, where she was drydocked with jackstands and cribbing. The pushboat and centerboard will be transported from Port Covington in the next few weeks. 

 

1/12/16 - Martha secured and prepared for transport by CHC volunteers. Centerboard and pushboat detached from Martha and stored at TYSC until arrangements for transport are made.

 

1/11/16 - Ballast, materials on deck, and other items off loaded by volunteers to meet weight limit for transport.

 

1/5/16 - Transport from Port Covington to Havre de Grace finalized for 1/12/16

 

12/22/15 - Havre de Grace restoration site secured at 649 Water Street

 

12/1/15 - Havre de Grace Marine Center selected to do bottom restoration work.

 

10/27/15 - Plans to move Martha to Havre de Grace via truck began. A restoration site is being secured along the waterfront.

 

10/26/15 - Havre de Grace Marine Center is selected as contractor for bottom restoration.

 

9/30/15 - Mast and boom were treated and repositioned by Dennis Taylor and Mitch Mitchell.

 

6/30/15 - Space is provided by Havre de Grace Marine Center for storage of supplies and equipment.

 

4/1-30/15 - Boom is repaired by Jim Knowles. This involved removing the aft 1/3 of the boom, shaping a new section, and attaching the new section using a "clothepin" scarf technique.

 

12/31/14 - As of the end of 2014 Martha remains on the hard at Tidewater in Port Covington. No further restoration work has occurred.

 

10/31/14 - Tidewater crews and Cindi Beane attempt second splash.  Peggy Sills stays with Martha on the evening of 11/1.  Four pumps run all weekend with a brief stoppage to assess the points of water inflow.  It is determined that Martha is still not taking up. She is hauled and blocked on Monday morning 11/2.  She remains on the hard.

 

10/26-31/14 - Cindi Beane and others try to plug leakage areas with tar and seam compound.  Jim Knowles recommendation that additional bottom planks be replaced could not be carried out due to a lack of funds to pay for the work.

 

10/24/14 - Centerboard installed and Martha splashed by Tidewater.  Massive volumes of water immediately.  Initially two large electric pumps are started to keep up with inflow.  B. Stroh stays with Martha evening of 10/24 to monitor swelling  process.  No progress overnight. Cindi Beane continues with monitoring and adds two more pumps on 10/25.  Ethan Wrede stays with Martha on evening of 10/25.  Still no progress on swelling. Cindi Beane stays with Martha evening of 10/26.  Still no progress.  Martha hauled and blocked on morning of 10/27.

 

10/22/14 - Jim Knowles completes work started in August. Ethan preps bottom and sides for painting. Brady preps pushboat for painting and removes battery for charging.

 

9/1/14 - Jim Knowles continues work started in August. Ethan caulks all new seams. 

 

8/1/14 - Jim Knowles begins restoration of identified issues in hull: port side stringer replacement (aft of amidships); realignment of "sub-keel" around center board trunk area and aft; a number of port side side and bottom planks to be replaced as well as well as a number of staves forward and near the stem; removal and replacement of compromised wood on transom; replacement of a number of starboard side planks; replacement of a portion of the starboard side stringer aft of amidships; replacement of bobstay plates on stem; starboard bow bulwarks

 

7/11/14 - Jim Knowles continued discovery of compromised wood in hull and began to plan restoration.  

 

6/1/14 to 7/15/14 - new mast shaped by Jim Knowles at Hutchins Park. Boom moved to worksite.  Discovery made that boom will required clothe pin scarf to repair large crack. Allen Rawl assessed and recommend type of "fix" and wood to use.

 

2/??/14 - Martha hauled

 

2/??/14 - Coast Guard inspection. Full general inspection deferred until summer pending restoration activity.

 

1/15/14 to 3/15/14 - Periodic check of pumps and salting of decks and hull

 

11/15/13 - Bill Mylett and Brady Stroh transported Martha (without mast, boom, and bowsprit) to Tidewater at Port Covington. The cruise was uneventful. Boat was docked and secured on the outer pier at Tidewater.

 

07/15/13 to 10/15/13 - Bill Mylett conducts discovery reconstruction of starboard deck area forward of the collision bulk head.  Extensive rotting was discovered in decking and some underlying support and structural members. Coast Guard on water inspection, scheduled for early August, has been deferred during "maintenance'" period. Bill is still assessing the the reconstruction strategy.  Boom was transported to Havre de Grace Marine Center where it is being stored. The bowsprit was also removed to facilitate additional discovery and stored at Hutchins Park. Discovery efforts progressed intermittently as funds and time allowed. All mast sections were removed from the boat as well.

 

06/2013 - No work done - daily checks on Martha continue

 

05/2013 - No work done - daily checks on Martha continue

 

04/2013 - Decision was made to cancel the 2013 cruise season and devote this year to a major restoration.  Martha was returned to Havre de Grace and docked at Hutchins Park where the restoration work will take place. Defunct mast was loaded onto the deck and returned to HdG for disposition.

04/2013 - The mast rot was deemed irreparable and efforts to secure a new mast will begin.  The rot was extensive throughout the mast.  Unsalvageable.

 

03/11/13 - Mike Vlahovich and his crew finished the wood replacement project. 1st light coat of varnish was applied to the boom; 2nd coat of preservative was applied to the mast; seam compound was applied to bottom of pushboat; bad wood was cut out of starboard side of pushboat at the waterline near the bow; blocks on mast were prepped for painting; serious rot was discovered along scarf at base of the mast -- this will be restored by Mike V and will take about 2 weeks of work at an estimated cost of $3000.00. (Brady-6; Mac Taylor-6)

 

03/09/13 - Began scraping bottom of Martha and the pushboat. Got most of the pushboat done and about two thirds of Martha's starboard side bottom. Got mast scraped and applied first coat of preservative. Sanded and prepped a few blocks for painting. (Brady-5; Ethan-5; Frank-3.5; Mac-4; Jonahan-3)

 

03/1-9/13 - Mike Vlahovich's crew finishing wood replacement. Mac and Brady continue block restoration. (Mac-6; Brady-4)

 

02/14/13 - Mast was unstepped. Mast and boom were blocked and are ready for preservation. Mike V and his crew continue building thr new port chine log and starboard bow staves. 

 

02/12/13 - Mike Vlahovich and his crew began to replace port side bow staves. Down rigged yawl boat. Loaded tools and materials for volunteer scraping and painting. Offloaded rigging. Mac repaired and painted blocks at home and Bruce restored nav sidelights at home. (Brady-4; Mac-8; Bruce 4)

 

02/06/13 - Mike V and his crew finished removing wood on the port side to prepare for the new section of chine log. The new sections of chine log were brought onsite and final shaping took place. Bruce and Brady removed fasteners and Bruce started dowelling the holes. (Bruce-4; Brady-4)

 

01/30-31/13 - Mike V's crew continued wood removal to expose chine log. (Brady-8)

 

01/29/13 - Mike V and his two assistants began work on the port side chine log replacement and the starboard side bow stave replacement ordered by the CG. They got all of the external planking removed, exposing the section of chine log that will be replaced.  Bruce, Mac, and Brady remove items from the shrouds and mast in preparation for the unstepping of the mast: sidelights and mounting boards; jib sheet; several madt hoops; dredging "8" plates; pin rails. Left main halyard and flag halyard in place. Removed quarter lines from yawl boat. Off loaded several dock lines. (Bruce-6; Mac-6; Brady-6)

 

01/25/13 - hauled, powerwashed, and blocked Martha. Downrigged lazyjacks (stowed offsite) and mainsheet (stowed over centerboard trunk). Removed all PFDs and stowed offsite. (Brady-8)

 

12/28/12 - Moved Martha from outer floating dock to slip near lift wells st Port Covington. Rewinterized engine and checked over vessel. All's well. (Byshe Hickes, Brady)

 

12/22/12 - Checked on Martha after heavy wind storm. All's well. Put additional bow line on as one showed significant chafing. (Brady)

 

12/1/2012 - removed main/jib sails; released topping lift and secured for haul out. Off loaded equipment; down rigged, labeled and stowed mainsail and jib footlines, jib halyard and sheet, bundled jib lazy jacks, reef lines, and misc other lines, removed oyster boards and dredges. Cleaned out cabins and offloaded all oystering and education equipment and supplies. (Cole, Frank, Lisa, Bruce, Gerald, Cindi, Brady)

 

11/19/2012 -: moved Martha to Port Covington (Linda, Chuck, Ethan, Brady). Winterized push boat engine.

 

11/24/12 - starboard bilge pump reconnected and new switch installed on main cabin panel (Cindi, Gerald Horn)

 

11/16/2012 - starboard bilge pump failed.  Replaced with new one.  Wiring and main switch in cabin failed and needs to be replaced.

 

11/6/2012 - boat moved to Markels. (Hobbs, Bruce, Mac) Hobbs tuned rigging on the way. Had to bleed fuel lines on the way.

 

11/4/2012 - winder engine servicing (R. Beane)

 

11/3/2012 - oyster boards repaired and installed

 

10/12/2012 - starboard bilge pump and float switch replaced

 

9/14/2012 -: jib patched and re-rigged (jib club and lazy jacks not attached)

 

9/11/2012 - deck sweep and spider web removal; replacement of yawl boat bilge pump and float switch; yawl boat and float switch wiring and forward control switch serviced.

 

9/1/2012 - new port side quarter line installed on yawl boat

8/28/2012 - cleaning; touch up painting; and prep for Labor Day weekend

 

8/14/2012 - Port fuel tank opened and cleaned; (awaiting gasket material to reassemble); deck and hull scrubbing; touch up paining; line whipping

 

7/31/2012 - New boom lift blocks installed and line replaced; scrubbing; touch up painting; electric lines on starboard shroud fastened

 

7/17/2012 - Decks scrubbed; touch up painting; hull scrubbed

 

7/10/2012 -  Oil and filter changed (R. Beane); push boat battery terminals cleaned/fastened; decks scrubbed and cleaned;  touch up painting topside; some line whipping done. 

Specifications

Many of the documents and drawings created when Martha was restored in 1993-94 have been scanned.  

 

These documents are stored in the cloud and are viewable here. Other information such as part descriptions and supplies will be added to provide a resource for maintenance activities. This is a work in progress.

 

  • Standards for Wooden Vessel Hull Maintenance

       (7-95): NVIC   (VIEW)  

  • Index of all USCG inspection circulars (VIEW)

  • 1994 Restoration photographs   (VIEW)

  • 1994 Restoration drawings  (VIEW)

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