Schooner Isaac H. Evans Historical Vessel

"The schooner Isaac H. Evans was built in Mauricetown, NJ in 1886 to carry oysters in the Delaware Bay. At the time, oystering was the largest segment of the fishing industry in America, and the schooner spent many years in service.

In the early 1970's, the Isaac H. Evans was rebuilt, and in 1991 was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Parks Service of the US Department of the Interior. Since 1973, the vessel has been carrying groups of people on 3, 4, or 6-day sailing vacations on Penobscot Bay in Maine.

During the winter of 2004, the schooner's captain, Brenda Walker, noticed some rot in the fore cross trees when she was performing some routine maintenance. The captain stripped numerous layers of paint from the pieces, and then consulted with other schooner owners about how to preserve the custom pieces. After receiving input from another captain and a nearby galvanizer, Captain Walker decided the best way to preserve the existing fittings, improve their appearance, and prevent corrosion, was to hot-dip galvanize the pieces.

The metal bands, futtock shrouds (angled pieces that support the cross trees on each mast), and other small pieces were galvanized for corrosion protection in the oceanic environment. Many of the original parts were galvanized, and still exhibited corrosion-protective zinc, but after more than 100 years of ocean use, were in need of a new galvanized coating which will last another 100 years. Using galvanized steel on the custom pieces helped restore the historic vessel to its original luster and strength.

The hot-dip galvanized coating will be able to withstand the corrosive elements from the ocean and extreme climates of Maine, ensuring the schooner Isaac H. Evans will set sail for many years to come. "