As professors prepare and plan for the autumn debut of the Bowdoin Marine Science Semester (BMSS) at the Coastal Studies Center, it is a nice time to reflect on some invaluable historic resources that the college has to offer.

The Schooner Bowdoin was a sailing vessel built in the early 1920s intended and designed for Arctic exploration. After being stranded for several years on an expedition to Crocker Land, Bowdoin alumnus Donald B. Macmillan decided to commission a ship that could withstand such conditions. The Schooner Bowdoin is 88 ft long, 21 ft wide, and equipped with a thick, sturdy frame and a large rudder to protect against ice. Throughout many exploratory expeditions to the arctic, this ship and its captain cultivated Bowdoin’s arctic legacy, placing itself at the forefront of polar research.

Now, the Schooner Bowdoin is in use at the Marine Maritime Academy as a training vessel for northward sailing. Last year, Bowdoin’s growing marine science program allowed for a weekend sailing expedition for biology students to gain a small taste of what living and working on a boat is like as a scientist. After a successful weekend, BMSS plans on making this an annual excursion.

The Bowdoin Marine Science Semester is a small, tight-knit program where students take all of their classes at the Coastal Studies Center, utilizing the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in their coursework and special projects. This semester is designed to give students incredible research tools, knowledge and experiences that will draw from Bowdoin’s previously underused resources.

BMSS also plans to offer a trip to Hurricane Island and a 10 day research expedition to Baja, California.