Lowell’s Boat shop has been located on the banks of the Merrimack River in Amesbury Ma. since 1793 and they are credited as the birthplace of the iconic fishing dory. With over 250,000 constructed over two centuries, the dory played a vital role in America’s fishing industry because they were solidly built, inexpensive, could be stacked on deck and most importantly, they could be safely loaded down with a huge catch.

Although, they no longer building dories commercially, the role that Lowell’s Boat Shop plays in the modern world is no less important by teaching the techniques and skills to a new crop of boat builders. After seven generations of the shop being owned by a Lowell, Graham McKay has been entrusted in keeping the boat shop’s legacy alive. In this episode, we sit down with Graham to discuss the historical significance of Lowell’s Boat Shop and why it is relevant in today’s world.

Offshore solo sailing has long been dominated by the French, with 65% of the skippers on the starting line of the Vendée Globe flying the tricolors. And in a sport that has been traditionally sailed by men, making inroads as an American woman can be extremely challenging. But these barriers are not going to stop Erica Lush. With countless miles at sea with legends like Tracy Edwards and Liz Wardly, the local Rhode Islander is over in France training for the Solitaire du Figaro, a multi-stage solo race that is seen as a feeder race for the Vendée Globe. In this episode, we are joined with Erica in-between training races to talk about her experiences that have gotten her to France and what is next in her pursuit to sail around the world.

For more info on Erica and to follow her offshore, jump over to www.lushsailing.com

As the Battle of the Atlantic raged on, the German U-boat fleet wreaked havoc on the Allies. Boasting superior technology and extended underwater range, the submarines were crippling the Allies’ ability to resupply the front lines throughout Eurpoe. For this reason, the US Navy made it a priority to capture a U-boat so they could get a closer look at these advancements and off the coast of Africa in June of 1944, they got their opportunity. In this episode we are joined by John Llewellyn, a Senior Exhibit Strategist at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to talk about the capture of U-505 and the museums unique exhibit displaying the captured submarine.