Sail A Tall Ship

What's A Tall Ship?

A Tall Ship is simply a wind powered ship with tall masts. The term typically refers to large sailing vessels that were the warships, freighters and ocean liners of their day before the use of modern engines.

A tall ship does not have to be built entirely of wood. Most tall ships built in the late 19th and early 20th century had wrought iron or steel hulls and masts.

Tall ships are classified according to their rig (the number of masts and configuration of the sails). The basic rigs include full rigged ship, brig, barque, brigantine and barquentine. Here's a full list of sailing ship rig definitions.

Barque Picton Castle

Home Port: Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada

During her lifetime, the Picton Castle has served as a fishing trawler, minesweeper, freighter and schoolroom. The ship's home port is Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, but spends most of her time sailing the seas with up to 40 trainees at a time.

She also starred as the pirate ship in CBS' reality TV show Pirate Master.

Sørlandet

Home Port: Kristiansand, Norway

The full-rigged ship Sorlandet was launched as a training ship in 1927 in Kristiansand, Norway. In 1933, she had the honor of serving as the Norwegian pavilion at the World Fair in Chicago after making her first Atlantic crossing. The Sorlandet can accomodate up to 70 trainees during the summer months and is also available for charter cruises.

Bark Europa

Home Port: The Hague, Netherlands

A three masted barque, the Europa was built in 1911 and fully restored in 1994. Carrying a crew of 14 professionals and 48 voyage crew members (trainees), she spends most of the year at sea but is also available for day trips and charters.

Christian Radich

Home Port: Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian Christian Radich was built in 1937 to serve as a training ship. Her amazing history includes setting speed records crossing the Atlantic, being sunk during World War II and starring in the 1955 movie, "Windjammer". She takes on trainees and charters.

US Brig Niagara

Home Port: Erie, Pennsylvania, USA

The original Niagara was built in 1813 during the War of 1812. Under the command of Commodore Perry, she was a key part of the American victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Erie. This replica was built in 1988 and includes some of the timbers from the original ship. She serves as a Sailing School Vessel during the summer and can be toured at the Erie Maritime Museum the rest of the year.

Statsraad Lehmkuhl

Home Port: Bergen, Norway

Built in 1914 as a German merchant marine training ship, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a three masted barque that was acquired by Norway after World War I. She takes on trainees and chartered mini-cruises.

Pride of Baltimore II

Home Port: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

The Pride of Baltimore II is a reproduction of an 1812-era Clipper privateer. She sails as a goodwill ambassador of the State of Maryland. You can sail as a guest crew member for cruises from three days up to two weeks or more.

S/V Denis Sullivan

Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

The Denis Sullivan is a reproduction of a 19th century Great Lakes cargo schooner. She serves today as a scientific education and nautical training vessel. You can join her crew for day sails on the Great Lakes or sign up for one of her educational expeditions.