ST. MICHAEL'S, Md. - A historic ship that once set sail in Maryland waters and across the world is making a homecoming of sorts. It's called the Maryland Dove - a 17th century merchant vessel that once brought the first European settlers to Maryland. A replica of the ship is usually docked on the Western Shore and used for educational purposes nowadays.
But now, President Kristen Greenaway and a crew at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will be the next hosts of another Maryland Dove replica, constructing from the ground up, a new and updated version of it's 40-year and 40-ton predecessor. Greenaway says it will be a busy next few years for shipwrights at the museum with construction set to begin as soon as this spring.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Greenaway said "This is absolutely stupendous and, from the museum's perspective, this is our biggest exhibition. We were founded in 1965 and this is our biggest exhibition to date."
But it won't be easy, lead shipwright Joseph Connor says there's little guidance on how to build a replica because the original Dove was lost at sea. That, and making the boat coast-guard compliant is one of many added challenges.
"Obviously we want to build it as unbelievably beautiful and strong and with as great longevity as possible," Connor said.
Greenaway says the public can view construction of the Maryland Dove from start to finish. She adds CBMM is currently looking for more shipwrights to help build the Maryland Dove before construction begins likely in June.
