Restoration 3
With much fanfare, the William Underwood was launched into Rockport Harbor Saturday, July 13, culminating a 12-year restoration by Rockport Marine owner Taylor Allen and the boatyard crew. The William Underwood, which, according to Allen, is one of the only sardine carriers remaining on the East Coast, was built in 1941 in Dorchester, Mass., by Simms Brothers for the Underwood Packing Co. The boats would motor out to where sardines were caught and collect them from nets with a hose before bringing them ashore for packing. The UNDERWOOD carried sardines and herring from the weirs and nets where they were caught along the coast of Maine to the Underwood packing plant in Jonesport. Boats like the William Underwood are now considered excellent workboats to convert into yachts because of their attractive lines, speed and maneuverability. Yard owner Taylor Allen plans to use the UNDERWOOD as a cruising boat for his family.
Allen said he had long admired sardine carriers, calling them a great “marriage of form and function,” and praising their efficient hull which, for its size, does not require a lot of power to move.
Allen said that along with other Underwood canned products like deviled ham, sardines from the boat helped feed soldiers during World War II.
The topsides of the bow were painted with sardines in homage to its past, but Allen said the only sardines that would be coming aboard would be in cans.
White said the plan for this summer is to take a couple of short trips and get comfortable on the boat before planning some longer voyages for next summer.
Click link below to see original boat (couldn't get the image to display here).
Restoration 3
With much fanfare, the William Underwood was launched into Rockport Harbor Saturday, July 13, culminating a 12-year restoration by Rockport Marine owner Taylor Allen and the boatyard crew. The William Underwood, which, according to Allen, is one of the only sardine carriers remaining on the East Coast, was built in 1941 in Dorchester, Mass., by Simms Brothers for the Underwood Packing Co. The boats would motor out to where sardines were caught and collect them from nets with a hose before bringing them ashore for packing. The UNDERWOOD carried sardines and herring from the weirs and nets where they were caught along the coast of Maine to the Underwood packing plant in Jonesport. Boats like the William Underwood are now considered excellent workboats to convert into yachts because of their attractive lines, speed and maneuverability. Yard owner Taylor Allen plans to use the UNDERWOOD as a cruising boat for his family.
Allen said he had long admired sardine carriers, calling them a great “marriage of form and function,” and praising their efficient hull which, for its size, does not require a lot of power to move.
Allen said that along with other Underwood canned products like deviled ham, sardines from the boat helped feed soldiers during World War II.
The topsides of the bow were painted with sardines in homage to its past, but Allen said the only sardines that would be coming aboard would be in cans.
White said the plan for this summer is to take a couple of short trips and get comfortable on the boat before planning some longer voyages for next summer.
Click link below to see original boat (couldn't get the image to display here).