Maine Filmmaker Doug Mills announces the launch of a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds needed to release his newest film “Race the Wind” in the spring of 2016. This film is the second in the WINDJAMMER documentary series and was filmed over the last three years with Maine’s historic windjammer fleet.
The second in the “Windjammer” series “Race The Wind” is a documentary film capturing the history along with the grace and beauty of the Maine windjammer, many of witch are over 100 years old as they sail in the Great Schooner Race, hailed as "the largest annual gathering of traditional schooners in America,"
Contributing to the Great Schooner Race’s quirkiness, it is one of the only sailing events in the world that requires no prior sailing experience on the part of the participants! Every summer since 1977, the Maine Windjammer Association has hosted the Great Schooner Race, providing an opportunity for captains, crews and passengers aboard traditional vessels from all over the Eastern Seaboardto rendezvous for a fun day of racing some of the most historic vessels in America. The history of racing these magnificent wooden coasting schooners started over a century ago with sailors trying to beat their competitors
to market. The first boat back to port always got the best price for their cargo— perhaps fish, lumber, granite or even Christmas trees. The "Race" was always unspoken, but ever present.
The golden age of sail is long gone, but, on the coast of Maine the golden age of the Maine windjammer is at its height. There was a time when sail was king on the coast of Maine. The lime trade, granite & marble, lumber
from virgin forests, ice and the fishing trades all employed sailing craft to move their products. The lime trade alone employed over 200 two masted schooners in Rockland and the surrounding coastal Maine towns. Steam powered vessels were making some of the longer trans-Atlantic runs and the passenger trade up and down the coast. However, for coastal trade and the hundreds of islands located just off the coast of Maine sail is still king. On any given day, the coastal waters would be filled with these two masted schooners delivering cargo to and
from all the coastal towns. They are the lifeline for those living on the islands, delivering everything from lumber to butter and even your grandfather’s new Sunday suit. Today only a handful of the sailing vessels remain. Many of them were simply used until they were worn out and replaced by a new one. During the Great Depression, thousands of these boats were just abandoned where they stood and left to rot. There is, however, a place where during the summer and fall you can still see these historic vessels sailing the clear blue waters the Atlantic much the way they have for the past 200 years. Penobscot Bay is located on the coast of Maine and on any given day in the summer you may be able to see as many as 15 or more of these proud sailing vessels, known as windjammers. Many of these boats have been sailing for over 100 years! They are truly living history. A 2016 release is expected and you are invited to be a part of it.
All those who contribute to the campaign at least $10 will have their names in the final credits of the film and those who contribute more will also receive some great “Race the Wind” CD:s Tee shirts and one of a kind art from the film!
Help us fund this film and get some great "Race The Wind" swag!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/116217990/race-the-wind
Doug Mills is Photographer and Curator of The Maine Windjammer Project one of the largest collections of nautical photographs centered around the historic fleet of two and three masted schooners, which sail the Maine waters. Started in 2007 The Maine Windjammer Project is an ongoing project to document the modern history of the historic windjammers on the coast of Maine. Many of these boats are over 100 years old two are over 142 years, launched in 1871.
This unique photographic history covers from 2007 to the present, sailing, haul out and the special events, such as The Great Schooner Race 2010 to present. This extensive archive is available to maritime and American history museums and those doing research on these last surviving boats.Out of the Maine Windjammer Project has grown WINDJAMMER PICTURES to create a series of documentaries:
“Windjammer” Finished in 2014 presents the history and tradition of the Maine Windjammer narrated by long time schooner captain Jim Sharp.
“Race The Wind” in production expected to be finished in 2016, gives a taste of the thrill of sailing these historic ships.
“Sail Into The Future” filming now, explores the preservation and the future of the Maine Windjammer.
With over 40 years in the arts, Doug brings a wealth of artistic expression to his films and photography. Doug's photos and films will transport you to a place where life is simple and the rugged unspoiled beauty will take your breath away.
Help us fund this film and get some great "Race The Wind" swag!
