The public had a chance to hear different histories of two classic schooners at an open house at the Carousel pier on Friday, June 30.

Adventure was built in 1926 in Essex, Massachusetts as a fishing vessel, according to Captain Willy Leathers. In 1954, it was converted to a windjammer and served as a floating classroom for the next 34 years.

“She would come every year to Windjammer Days,” said Leathers.

In 1988, she was put in dry dock where she awaited repairs to be put back into service three years ago.

In contrast, the Harvey Gamage was built in 1973 at the Gamage shipyard in South Bristol to teach young people the art of sailing, according to current owner Phineas Sprague, Jr.

It operated under the auspices of the Ocean Classroom Foundation until the financial burdens of upkeep and maintaining a crew of nine and a captain caused it to cease operations. Under new ownership, it was revitalized under the name of Ocean Passages where it instructs sailing to 20 young people during summer cruises of varying lengths, said Sprague.

“It is so great to be associated with so many young kids. It keeps me young,” Sprague said.

In addition to shorter instructional cruises this summer, the schooner will be undertaking a 89-day cruise to Cuba which will include teaching stops in Mystic, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. said Sprague.

Sprague said an upcoming shorter cruise will include sailing up the Damariscotta River to the Ira C. Darling Center in Walpole.

Acting Captain Doug Fajardo of the Harvey Gamage said instruction for new sailors begins with how to handle the ropes that hoist the sails aloft. He said there are no automated machines aboard so all sailing tasks have to be done by hand.

Leathers said the open house during Windjammer Days gave a chance for former students, crew and financial supporters to revisit the schooners.

“It takes a community to keep a ship like this alive,” said Leathers.