The numbers on the Madeline image, relate to the sail plan at the bottom of this page.

The MADELINE is a reconstruction of a mid 19th century fore and aft schooner built by the Maritime Heritage Alliance, a non profit organization based in Traverse City, Michigan.

The original Madeline sailed the waters of Lake Michigan more than 150 years ago. During the winter of 1850-51 her cargo hold became the first non Indian school in the Grand Traverse region.

Like her namesake, today's MADELINE has served education since her first frames wer lofted in 1985. During the five year building project, hundreds of volunteers learned boat building skills using traditional and modern methods.

Since MADELINE was launched in 1990, the MHA has maintained her as a dock side interpretative center allowing 1000s of visitors to come aboard and learn about Great Lakes maritime history and traditional sailing craft. When under sail, MADELINE becomes a training ship for her crew and a goodwill ambassador representing the Traverse City and the Grand Traverse Region throughout the Great Lakes.

The members of the Maritime Heritage Alliance invites you to explore MADELINE from stem to stern. Our volunteer tour guides and crew welcome your questions.

More About the MADELINE

The original MADELINE was built in Fairport, Ohio in 1845 as freight carrying schooner. She carried barrels of fish from Mackinac Island and other commodities to and from ports on upper Lake Michigan.

Since little is known about the construction of the original MADELINE, the MHA's reconstruction is based on other 19th century schooners of the same size and period. Today's schooner was built using both traditional and modern methods, materials, and technologies. She complies with current United States Coast Guard safety regulations.

MADELINE was built of traditional boat building woods native to Northern Michigan. The keelson is a 50' x 11" x 11" white oak timber. Her 34 frames are 7" double sawn white oak on 18" centers. White oak, strong and naturally rot resistant, was and is a common and preferred boat building material. The planking and deck are 2" native pine, pressure treated to insure the boats longevity. The spars (mast, gaft, booms, and bowsprit) were shaped from local white pine timbers. The hand built blocks and deadeyes are made of Osage Orange.

Aloft, MADELINE's rig is that of a two mast fore and aft schooner. Traditionally, sails were made of cotton canvas. Today's MADELINE has sails sown of Dacron fabric which is more durable.

Likewise her lines are made of modern fibers: Dacron and nylon instead of traditional hemp, a natural fiber. Her shrouds and forestays are made of steel cable, and innovation of the 19th century.

Sail Plan

1. Main Sail
2. Main Top Sail
3. Fore Sail
4. Fore Top Sail
5. Stay Sail
6. Inner Jib
7. Outer Jib

Sparred Length		92 Feet
Length on Deck		55 Feet
Beam			16 Feet
Draft			 7 Feet
Height of Masts	   68 & 71 Feet
Gross Tonage		50 Tons
Maximum Sail Area     2205 Square Feet

For more information about schooners on the 
Great Lakes and Around the world visit http://www.schoonerman.com

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