While Mainsheet is globally focused, each issue is tied with annual institutional initiative themes at Mystic Seaport Museum that drive exhibitions, programming, symposia, lecture series, and the Frank C. Munson Institute for American Maritime History. Therefore, the first issue highlights maritime social history to align with our new exhibition Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea. It includes an inaugural letter from Editor in Chief Christina Connett Brophy, Perspectives essay from guest editor Akeia de Barros Gomes, and peer-reviewed contributions from scholars Kevin Dawson, Alison Glassie, Alice C. M. Kwok, Timothy D. Walker, Caroline C. Ummenhofer, Jason R. Mancini, and Silvermoon Mars LaRose. A photo essay features remarkable images taken by workers aboard the world’s cargo ships during and after the COVID-19 crisis, and there are features on boat preservation in Brazil, the use and meaning of African miniature canoes, and a Viking ship model in the Mystic Seaport Museum collection. Poetry, book reviews, and listings for upcoming Museum exhibits and academic events round out the content. Our first issue is dedicated to Paul O’Pecko, whose impact on the scholarship and research at Mystic Seaport Museum set the highest standard for this publication.

Scholarship from the print journal is simultaneously posted free and open access on our journal website. We are committed to making scholarship available at no cost to researchers, and your subscription to the print issue helps support that commitment. The print journal is full-color, perfect-bound and designed to be a beautiful addition to your library.