NORTH HAVEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
    • Contact
    • Job Opportunities
    • History
  • VISIT
    • Archives
    • North Island Museum
  • EXHIBITS
    • Current Exhibits >
      • EXHIBIT : FARMING ON NORTH HAVEN
      • EXHIBIT : FISHING, BOAT BUILDING, & DEEPWATER MARINERS
      • EXHIBIT : EDUCATION ON NORTH HAVEN
    • Past Exhibits >
      • Pulpit Harbor Exhibit
      • What Is Island Architecture Exhibit >
        • Island Builders Past & Present
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
  • 12 KNOTS PODCAST
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
  • SHOP
  • LEARN MORE
    • Calderwood Diaries
    • Cemetery Records
    • Island Apples
    • We Belong Here : Stories of North Haven
    • Links of Interest

DICKEY BIRD


A flat-bottom boat, DICKEY BIRD was built in about 1910. It carried a spritsail, but has been converted for rowing and additional floor timbers have been installed, possibly because of its thin bottom.

​Some sailors referred to this sort of boat as a “flap-jack” because it did not sail very well. It had difficulty tacking into the wind which caused problems for sailors who were attempting to return to the village area after a sail on the Thoroughfare. There is some speculation that the boat would have sailed much better if the dagger board, which came up through the seat, had been
placed more toward the stern.

Lester Greenlaw, the boat’s builder, is remembered fondly as a man who would give wood and nails to children and teach them “how to make things.” He had a workshop at his home where he and his brother Maynard built boats and large ship models. Lester built RANGER, a lobster boat, for his nephew, Donald Greenlaw and was employed as a skilled carpenter and house builder who
also worked as a caretaker for summer residents.
Picture
Lester with wife Bernie and their dog
Picture
Lester with a boat he built, likely the JAMES L.
Picture
Lester with a model he built
North Haven Historical Society | 77 Pulpit Harbor Road | North Haven, ME 04853 | PHONE 207-867-4752 | EMAIL [email protected]