Maritime Heritage
“ The voice of the sea speaks to the soul .” — Kate Chopin
Downwind + Eastward = DownEast . It ’ s just that easy .
When ships sailed into the District of Maine — originally part of Massachusetts — from the south , they were sailing downwind and eastward with the prevailing winds . Sailor shorthand re-coined it “ DownEast .” The term is still used today to describe the Maine coast roughly between the Penobscot River and the St . Croix .
A Rich Seafaring Past that Set the Course for a Maritime Future
At the heart of Castine you ’ ll find Fort Pentagöet , an outpost built and held by the French in the 1630s , then held by the Dutch , British ( briefly ), and then finally America . This gives Castine the unique status of having been under the rule of four separate nations . While you are there , visit the Maine Maritime Academy and see how Maine ’ s seafaring traditions and training are being passed on to future generations of mariners .
Visit Machias during Margaretta Days , held each June to celebrate the first naval battle of the American Revolution . The attack on the British was conceived in Burnham ’ s Tavern . Townspeople armed with farm implements and muskets captured the British naval vessel Margaretta and fought off the British for control of the town . Early structures and earthworks from this battle can still be seen at Fort O ’ Brien in Machiasport .
Head to Brooklin where the region ’ s historic reputation for building swift and sturdy sailing ships lives on . Enroll in a boatbuilding course at the WoodenBoat School or visit the WoodenBoat Store for all manner of sailing gear and gifts for the landlubbers at home .
No need to look far to find a seafaring excursion . Visitors can simply find a harbor , chat with a mate or captain , and climb aboard one of the dozens of modern sailing ships , original or replica lobster boats , windjammers , or Maine-built schooners .
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