ROCKLAND — U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, House Chair Chuck Kruger, D-Thomaston, Dave Miramant, D-Camden, and Thomaston’s Chris Rector, regional representative for U.S. Congressman Angus King, lent their voices in celebration of 135 years of Maine’s Friendship Sloops. Each dignitary spoke of Maine, sailing, and the working waterfront while visitors to Sharp’s Point South toured some of the sloops at the dock. Following the speeches, Commodore Noel March of the Friendship Sloop Society persuaded the politicians to sing Happy Birthday to the Sloop.

During Friday’s birthday party, Pingree reread the letter that she recited on the floor of the U.S. Capitol building a month ago, preserving for the record the historical importance the sloop provides to the Maine fishing heritage.

Pingree referred to the sloops as the “work horses of the ocean” because of their usage by lobstermen in the 1800s. The vessel’s design allowed a sole passenger to manage the sails while simultaneously tending to traps.

These vessels, originally shaped to fit the needs of fishermen of Muscongus Bay, grew in popularity and were soon built in many shipyards along the Maine Coast. The name Friendship was eventually adopted because of the high volume of these vessels produced in the shop of Wilbur Morse in Friendship. Morse was known for completing a new sloop every two weeks.

“Much has changed since 1880, but life on the Maine coast retains many of connections to those earlier days. Hard-working individuals still make their living on the water. Tight-knit communities still pull together for each other. And Friendship Sloops still gracefully ply the waters,” Pingree read.

In the recent past, Chuck Kruger lobbied at the state house to get the Friendship Sloop listed as Maine’s sailing vessel. However, lobbyists fighting to name the state’s dog (the Labrador) overshadowed Kruger’s campaign. 

Birthday cake was doled out, 135 pieces total. Camden National Bank gave away free popcorn, the Kiwanis Club sold hot dogs, and the Breakers Jazz provided entertainment.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com.