Schooners Alabama & Adventure

The Custom House Maritime Museum arranged to have two New England based schooners dock at Newburyport for the Memorial Day weekend.They were scheduled to arrive the Wednesday before the weekend on the morning hightide which was around 11am. I arrived around 10:20am at the north end of Plum Island to find the Alabama passing between the jetties. I got a few a few photos before it headed into the harbor. I wasn't the only one confused over the schedule. A number of other spectator arrived at the mouth of the Merrimack River anticipating a 11am arrival. (In the future, event organizers might want to distinguish between arrival time at the mouth and arrival at the dock). The Alabama was followed about 10 minutes later by the Adventure.

Video showing the two schooners traveling up the Merrimack River past local landmarks like Butler's Toothpick, the jetties, Salisbury Beach State Reservation, to downtown Newburyport.


The Alabama hails from Vineyard Haven (Martha's vineyard). She was original built 1926 as a pilot boat to be used in mobile, Alabama. today she is used for day sail programs and a sailing school. For more information: theblackdogtallships.com

The Alabama passing by Salisbury Beach State Reservation.

Alabama heading up the Merrimack River towards Newburyport

The Adventure is a 122 foot long schooner built in Essex, MA in 1926. She was originally built for the New England fishing industry. Currently based out of Gloucester, MA she is used for education purposes. For further information schooner-adventure.org/ 

The Adventure on the ocean side of the south jetty on Plum Island.

Entering the channel between the jetties.

Passing by the North Jetty.

 Arriving at the docks in downtown Newburyport.