Four Centuries of Maine Shipbuilding

To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Maine shipbuilding, MaineToday.com has launched a special section on the industry, and is inviting readers to contribute stories and photos.

400 years ago, a small group of hardy English colonists came to Maine, setting up a colony at the mouth of the Kennebec River. They built the Virginia, a 30-ton pinnace that was the first of the thousands of ships built in Maine.

Shipbuilding has become a vibrant part of Maine's culture and history in the four centuries since. Maine's history includes clipper ships and World War II Liberty Ships; its present includes high-end custom yachts and destroyers being built at Bath Iron Works.

We want to spark a year-long conversation here about those 400 years of memories and milestones. [Link]