The U.S. Coast Guard has investigated a mishap that destroyed the yawl boat of the historic topsail schooner Shenendoah Wednesday evening.

According to a Coast Guard spokesman, the fishing vessel Kayah, based in Vineyard Haven, struck the yawl boat, which was hanging from davits off the stern of Shenendoah while it was anchored in Vineyard Haven harbor.

The yawl boat, a small open wooden motor vessel, used to push the 108-foot square topsail schooner when needed, was destroyed in the incident, which took place at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday evening. Shenendoah has no engine, and has used the same yawl boat since her launch in 1963.

The two larger vessels were not damaged.

“Both vessels were inspected and found to be structurally sound,” the Coast Guard spokesman said. .

Shenendoah is one of the Black Dog tall ships, with a full season of charters and educational voyages for Island school children scheduled. The crew was working Thursday to equip a substitute yawl boat for the remainder of the season.