Sailing vessel Dorothy is an 1897 gaff-rigged sloop in the collection of the Maritime Museum of BC–she just turned 128 this summer.
Dorothy Zimmermann is a 96–going-on-97-year-old Dorothy superfan who has been steering towards her dream of sailing Dorothy for three years after reading about the vessel’s mid-life refit project.
Dorothy voyaged from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Victoria to see Dorothy during the Classic Boat Festival over Labour Day weekend. A member herself of the Northern Lights Sailing Club and a longtime sailor, Dorothy met Dorothy at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club with Angus and Sandy Matthews, who have been Dorothy’s primary ambassadors. Both Dorothys finally sailed together in Cadboro Bay—a three-year dream come true for Dorothy. For Dorothy, this summer of sailing on the Salish Sea has been the culmination of a long refit project with many supporters all along this coast and beyond.
Angus Matthews welcomes Dorothy Zimmermann aboard SV Dorothy.
Photo courtesy of Bente Soderlind.
A message from “Dorothy Jr.”:
SV Dorothy at the Classic Boat Festival in Victoria Harbour. Photo courtesy of James Holkko.
Dorothy Zimmermann and Angus Matthews sail Dorothy in Cadboro Bay.
Photo courtesy of Bente Soderlind.
Ahoy – sailors and friends!
As I will be celebrating my 97th year Oct. 4th – would you please, if you can, join me in supporting this lovely vessel?
You may have heard that this Ancient Mariner, 96, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to finally meet and steer “Dorothy, with the Sensuous Body”!
Angus Matthews invited me to visit the week prior to the 45th Annual Classic Boat Festival! I didn’t let my broken arm stop me!
With my friends from Duluth – Mike Sawinski and Bente Soderlind, I was able to meet ‘the Dorothy‘ and – using my left arm – steer that astounding 1897 beauty across Cadboro Bay. This began a 2-day celebration with my “New Best Friends” up there in Victoria, BC.
Will you join me in supporting this special vessel?
Dorothy serves as the Maritime Museum of BC’s sailing ambassador, recapturing the glory days of vintage sail. She is a regular visitor to regattas, opening days, festivals and junior sailing schools in the region. We make a special effort to get youth and the young at heart out for a truly classic sailing experience.
Like Dorothy Zimmermann, you can support Dorothy‘s continuing story on the Salish Sea. Become a Dorothy supporter, for her summer operations, or for her ongoing care and refit:
