Fire destroys Midcoast shipyard

Two partially completed tugboats and a pile of scrap metal were all that remained after a fierce fire destroyed the Washburn & Doughty shipyard in E. Boothbay on July 11. The company, which employed approximately 100 workers before the fire, laid off 65 of them and kept 35 working on a third tug that had been launched and wasn't damaged in the fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $35 million.

No one was injured in the fire, which the state fire marshal's office ruled was started accidentally by sparks from a cutting torch.

Washburn & Doughty (WWF May 2002, March 2007), a highly successful yard working in steel and aluminum and focusing on tugs and other workboats, has built 19 tugs for Connecticut-based Moran Construction including several vessels of innovative design. Before moving aggressively into the tugboat business, the company built fishing boats and at least one yacht.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci toured the ruined yard on July 15 and promised state assistance. Before the fire there had been speculation that Washburn & Doughty might move from E. Boothbay to Wiscasset or Eastport. As of mid-July it appeared likely the firm would rebuild on its present site. (David Platt photos)