Historic windjammer damaged after lines cut

ROCKLAND – City detectives are investigating the intentional cutting of lines securing the schooner J&E Riggin to its wharf.

Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower said the incident was reported at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. He said the 76-foot schooner was berthed at the Rockland Harbor Park complex formerly owned by MBNA. Tower said the schooner was cast adrift but that the tide and currents kept it in the general area of the dock. The ship was damaged from pounding against the dock, he said.

“Because of the nature of the damage and the extent of the damage, the case has been turned over to the Detective Division and they are working on it right now,” Tower said Monday.

Tower said the schooner was last checked at 5 p.m. Saturday and that everything was fine. He noted that MBNA had an extensive system of security cameras at its waterfront complex and that “some or all are still active.” Tower declined to reveal what the cameras may have captured.

“It’s all under investigation,” he said.

The J&E Riggin is part of Maine’s famed windjammer fleet. It was built in 1927 and has been used as a passenger vessel since 1974. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.

Other members of the state windjamming community are offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.