In Deer Isle in 1895 and 1899 two America’s Cup boats, COLUMBIA and DEFENDER, were crewed completely by the “Deer Isle boys.” Members of most of the families that crewed the boats are still in residence on Deer Isle today.
So when the opportunity came to participate in the CREST (Community for Rural Education Stewardship and Technology) program, and Deer Isle was invited to take part, a project arose: find all of the descendents of the Deer Isle boys and make this knowledge further known.
At first the group was only seven strong. They nicknamed themselves BRIDGE (Better Resources for Island Development and Growth for Everyone.) They were generously given the opportunity to go to Valencia, Spain, and see the 2007 America’s Cup. This trip was not only a research trip but the opportunity of a lifetime. The word spread of what the group was up to.
When they came back they realized that this project was growing beyond them and it was time to branch out. The CREST class was now integrated in to Deer Isle’s curriculum and 19 willing students signed up. The class is divided in to three groups, GIS (Global Information Systems), ethnography (storytelling) and web coding (the code used to make websites.) All of these groups work cohesively to further the knowledge of the 1895 and 1899 crews of DEFENDER and COLUMBIA two boats that went on to win the America’s cup. Through research at the local historical society, making maps using the GIS software, and starting a website with the information gathered, the class moved in leaps in bounds. Then another opportunity arose: they were invited to embark on a journey that would culminate in a dinner at the prestigious New York Yacht Club.
The journey began bright and early. Departing at 3:00 a.m., the group traveled through New England to reach Newport, Rhode Island, and Marble House, a Vanderbilt mansion. The Vanderbilts were the key funders of the boats in the 1800s. Seeing the vast amount of wealth represented there was overwhelming and a culture shock for the group. It’s been said that some of the problems that arise now with the America’s Cup is funding, and that back in the day they had next to nothing and they still got by, but walking into the Marble House you can see that there was no lack of wealth at all. Gasps could be heard around the group as they stared in wonderment at the paintings and 100-pound dining chairs, the amazing architecture and period furnishings. And to find out this was a summer home used for three months of the year — astounding.
We continued on to the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island. There the students met with Halsey Herreshoff, the grandson of N.G. Herreshoff the man who designed the boats that their ancestors’ sweat and blood went into. He greeted the group kindly and treated them as if they were longtime friends. There were models on display, photographs, and a presentation was given with important information on how much it took to build a boat and what supplies were used. Also at the Herreshoff Museum is the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, where the group learned about Charles Bar, the man who captained their two boats.
There was a database with sailors who had been on winning boats and sadly next to none of the Deer Isle boys were in it! It was then when the group had the realization that maybe they were some of the only people who possessed the information that they had.
Next stop was Mystic Seaport, to visit the Mystic Seaport Research facility. Here is where the Iselin papers are contained. The Iselin papers consist of letters and notes pertaining to the boats, funding, people, various information about what was going on. It’s also home to the Rosenfeld collection, one of the largest archives of marine photographs and some of the only images of the boats under sail, with their crews. A lot of information was gathered here. The rest of the day the group had free passes to explore Mystic seaport and enjoy the exhibits.
When they reached the yacht club, they were greeted warmly by Bill Whitman and his wife, Barbara, and their son Fife, who had gone on the smaller group to Spain and was also the generous funder of both trips. Mr. Whitman was essential and arranging the luncheon, tour, and dinner the group would enjoy. The group sat down to a luncheon with Commodore Townsend, the club historian, and also author John Rousmaniere and the Whitmans. Over lunch Mr. Rousmaniere informed the group about the club and some of the history he knew about the Deer Isle boys. The group also filled him in on some of their findings.
After lunch, Mr. Rousmaniere took the group on a tour of the yacht club showing the signature front to the building that was built to look like a ship. He took them to the model room, a massive room that takes up about half of the club. It is cavernous and filled with half models and a fireplace that has the club logo in stone above it. He said that the model room was designed in the baroque style, which meant it was to be taken with laughter rather then amazement. The tour ended in the club library where the librarian showed some books the group didn’t have access to including a book of paper clippings about all of the boats from the time. This was a valuable find! The group had to rush back to its hotel to get into evening wear for the ritzy New York dinner they were going to.
Before the dinner there was a forum about last year’s America’s Cup. The panel was made up of men who had sailed, refereed, and designed boats from the past cup and also included Halsey Herreshoff. The Commodore started the night off by mentioning the BRIDGE group and how lovely their luncheon had gone. They stood and were applauded including a standing ovation from Halsey Herreshoff. Afterwards was the fancy dinner, which took place in the club’s dining room, designed to look like the inside of a ship.
The next day the group left bright and early for home. Sleepily, they trudged onto the bus, their minds filled with the knowledge they’d gained and the people they’d met over the three-day excursion. Not much talking was done — only sleeping, but they all felt success and pride over the work done.
Back in class, the group was abuzz with the findings and weeding through it all. The most shocking thing learned on the trip was that they had the most knowledge of anyone on this subject! But the group also seemed to come to a much vaster realization. For the majority CREST class was no longer a “class”. It’s an experience and a time for discovery. For many they’ve found out who they are, where they are, and a newfound pride in their community. q
Kimberly L. Grindle is a senior member of the Deer Isle CREST class.