Historic ship sails into Bath | News

BATH, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - A piece of sea-faring history sailed into Bath on Friday. The sailing ship Gazela Primeiro docked at the Maine Maritime Museum this afternoon, after a trip from Newport, R.I.

The 177-foot ship is said to be the oldest square-rigged vessel still sailing in North America. The ship was actually built in Portugal in 1901, and was used for fishing doe cod on the Grand Banks until 1969.She is now owned by the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. Her design is what sailors call a "Barkentine - square rig sails on the front or foremast, and schooner-type sails on the other two masts toward the stern.

The ship will be open to visitors at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath on Saturday and Sunday. She will then set sail for Halifax, N.S.

http://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/events/gazela-primeiro-visit/