Five Questions with…Museum Shipwright Rick Remenda

This week we meet shipwright, Rick Remenda, whose home turf at Mystic Seaport is the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard. Rick is a friendly, relaxed guy with a ready smile who is obviously happy and comfortable in his surroundings.  1. How long have you been at Mystic Seaport? RR:  I’ve worked in the shipyard for three years. I took an apprenticeship in traditional wooden boat building up in Rockland, ME, before coming on staff here. My family lives in Newington, CT, so that was a major draw to return to Connecticut. 2. What’s the best part of your job? RR:  Building boats! No surprise there. Another plus is working with a great bunch of guys. There are eight of us: Rob Whalen, Sean Kelly, Chris Taylor, Chris Nelson, Jeff Morris, Barry Peale, Trevor Allen and myself. We are all trained shipwrights, so we know what we’re doing and like what we do. My absolute favorite part of my job though is teaching the traditional wooden boat building classes. The class is limited to six, and we offer it twice a year. I’ve had students from as far away as France and from states across the country. 3. What’s the most challenging aspect of your job? .  RR:  It’s hard to say what is most challenging. Almost every step in the restoration process is challenging, from building the scaffolding that gives you access to parts of the ship, to removing hull sheathing like we are just doing now on the Morgan. It’s slow and tedious work, but the end results are worth it. I worked on rebuilding the Roann, and look at her now. 4. What’s the funniest or most notable on-the-job experience you’ve had? RR:  It’s pretty funny seeing ourselves in the white protective suits and head gear that we have to wear during some of the restoration work on the Morgan. The suits are a safety factor to keep us from inhaling sawdust, protection from hazardous materials, etc. We look like we’re going to the moon. 5. What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?   RR:  Outside of work I just enjoy hanging out with friends. - Rick was interviewed by Museum Volunteer Trudi Busey and photographed by Mystic Seaport Photographer Dennis Murphy.

Up the Elevator to Stillman’s 2nd Floor

Undoubtedly, the first image that pops into your head when you hear the word “cowboy” is a rugged man on a horse sporting a wide-brimmed hat and leather chaps, herding cattle somewhere in the West.

 

What do cowboys have to do with Mystic Seaport, you ask? Well, they have plenty to do with the exhibit found on the 2^nd floor of the Stillman Building: Endangered Species: The Commercial Fishermen of Point Judith, Rhode Island.

 

Markham Starr, accomplished photographer and shipwright, has described the Point Judith fisherman as “the ocean’s version of a true cowboy – independent, resourceful and dedicated.”  

 

In 2005, Mystic Seaport began restoration of Point Judith’s Roann, one of the last wooden commercial fishing vessels of her kind. Starr, a photographer and shipwright who worked on the Roann project in the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard, recognized a vanishing legacy and sought to capture the spirit of these men and women for whom fishing is more than just a job, but rather, a way of life. His portraits, seascapes and action shots capture the full spectrum of life in the fisheries trade, perfectly illustrating that the daily life of a commercial fisherman is tough work — there is no “easy button.” 

Photo of the Point Judith Fishermen by Markham Starr

While at the exhibit, be sure to watch the films that tell the stories of whaling, cod fishing and fish and oyster processing. It’s history in an oyster shell (excuse the pun). By the way, did you know that in the 1800s oysters were America’s first snack food from the sea? Add that to your trivia bank!

 

Speaking of trivia, what fish is nicknamed an “eating machine?” Take a look at the fearsome dude in the glass case. No wonder he camouflages himself!

 

Also, don’t forget to check out the interesting pictures relating to the natural sponge market. Today we primarily have synthetic sponges, but in 1849, Key West, FL, was a bustling market for natural sponges.

 

Don’t short-change the Stillman Building when you visit Mystic Seaport. Allow enough time to take in all three floors. We think you’ll agree – they are quite impressive!

 

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