Tall ship visits Saxon Harbor

By RICHARD JENKINS

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SAXON, Wis. - Saxon Harbor played host to a larger vessel than it usually sees over the past few days as a tall ship, Schooner Huron Jewel, docked in the harbor Thursday.

"We're sailing around the Great Lakes this summer to put smiles on people's faces by bringing a tall ship to their backyard," said Julie Covert, who owns the ship with her husband, Hugh.

The 60-foot schooner - which means the vessel has more than one mast and has its biggest sail in the back - sails out of Drummond Island and normally offers a variety of day sails, overnights and other charter trips.

However, the coronavirus pandemic and the inability to properly social distance while under sail meant that the Coverts had to come up with a different plan this summer, ultimately deciding to take the vessel into Lake Superior for the first time and tour the Big Lake.

"Since we had the boat in, had the crew trained, had to feed them all summer anyway, we said, 'It doesn't cost anymore to do it under sail, so let's go sailing,'" Julie Covert said.

The tour gives people around the region a chance to see a "tall ship" up close and even go on board for a tour, and so far, the reception has been nothing but positive.

"(Seeing a tall ship up close) is not something they get to do on a daily basis ... (people) have been thrilled when we pull into their local marina," Julie Covert said, adding the schooner draws a crowd of all ages.

Although there is no formal definition of what constitutes a tall ship, Hugh Covert said it's generally a ship that is larger than the average sail boat and often one that uses more traditional rigging than what would be found on a modern sailboat.

Hugh, who captains the schooner, has been sailing since he was 4 years old, according to the schooner's website. He also designed the vessel and built it over two-and-a-half years.

"We emptied out all the bank accounts, all the retirement accounts, rubbed two nickels together, took out a small loan; and two-and-a-half years later we built her," Julie said.

The schooner, which can fly up to seven sails, has roughly 22 different types of wood in her design and is made of wood and epoxy.

The pandemic and inability to operate the usual business has presented a financial challenge for the couple, Julie said, but they have taken out a loan through the Small Business Administration and accept donations on the website.

The schooner was available for on board tours Thursday and Friday before it plans to depart this morning. Julie said the plan is to anchor near Ontonagon before heading towards Houghton and Hancock on the voyage back to Drummond Island.

The vessel's previous stops included Washburn, the Apostle Islands and Duluth. The journey to Duluth took 12 days, Julie said, and the return voyage home is expected to take seven to 10 days.

Although it was the first time on Lake Superior, the journey hasn't presented any unexpected challenges.

"It's been going well, as expected - no surprises," Julie said. "Just a really fabulous reception everywhere we've gone. (We've) even had folks from different places ... taking pictures of us and finding us on social media and posting pictures they took."

More information on the schooner and its journey can be found at ditallship.com and the Drummond Island Tall Ship Facebook page.