Musings from the Mizzenmast
Source: The Concordian / Author: Jay Panetta
An endeavor of real interest is afoot in the world of wooden boats. Last year, WoodenBoat founder Jon Wilson generously donated his personal library of 6,700 nautical publications to the Friend Memorial Public Library in Brooklin, Maine—and included are a number of rare and valuable items. Anne Bray, the late wife of eminent marine historian Maynard Bray, served long and most ably as the librarian for that collection. More recently came the highly welcome news that renowned photographer Benjamin Mendlowitz is making arrangements to present to the same institution his archive of nautical images—which could amount to a grand total of more than 300,000 color slides and digital files.
The Friend Library is currently planning a major expansion, which will include the establishment of a Maritime Research Center that will properly house these materials. The Center will be open to all, and it will serve as an important resource for researchers and boatbuilders alike—with ample space to accommodate future gifts of significant documents.
A capital campaign is now under way, and as is customary, a number of naming opportunities have been made known. At the top of the list is the naming of the new research facility, pegged at $500,000. Several of us involved in the project quickly determined that this repository should by all rights be designated “The Anne and Maynard Bray Maritime Research Center.” Everyone who has been informed of this intention heartily approves, and Maynard himself seems to be quite delighted with the prospect.
Maynard Bray at the helm of the gaff sloop Mink, a Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 25. The class was designed by Captain Nat himself, and Mink was delivered in June of 1914 at a price of $2,000—which would be equivalent to around $60,000 today. Mink is one of the four members of the original class that have survived. An excellent video series devoted to the boat’s restoration can be viewed on the website of Off Center Harbor, an impressive digital enterprise that was co-founded by Maynard. PHOTO BY: Benjamin Mendlowitz
This naming opportunity has a target goal of $500,000, and nearly one-third of that amount has already been raised since mid-March (including substantial commitments from several Concordia owners). This represents an excellent start, and there is much reason to be optimistic about the final outcome. The naming will constitute a superb tribute to Maynard at this point in his incomparable career, as well as serving the memory of Anne. If not for Maynard and a few other key figures based in Brooklin, the wooden boat revival might never have come to pass.
Those interested in contributing to this most worthy cause are encouraged to contact Mr. Robert Baird, who is chairing the Campaign Committee. Robert is a year-round resident of Brooklin, and with the help of Maynard’s expert advice and guidance, he has owned and restored a succession of vintage small craft over the years, including the Luders 16 Elusive and the catboat Molly B. Robert will be pleased to hear from any and all interested parties, and he can be reached via this address: robert@rabassoc.com.
Word of mouth will also be important in this effort. Most readers of The Concordian are well connected in the wooden boat community, and I therefore encourage all of you to contact people in your orbits who might perhaps be willing to assist. If our readership could work to spread the word in appropriate fashion, that would be wonderful. Please accept my sincerest thanks—and Maynard’s as well—for any help that you might be able to offer.
