History of American Sailing Ships

The history of American sailing ships is an excitingmainmast was not.
journey into American history, starting with the world's3. The Barkentine- It had three masts and square sails
most famous explorer Christopher Columbus.on the foremast structure.
The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria are probably4. The Three Masted Schooner- The maximum masts
the most well known American ships in history.ever used on a three masted schooner was seven.
Christopher Columbus sailed these ships in 1492, to try5. The Topsail Schooner- Its rigging and masts are
to discover a trade route across the Atlantic Ocean.much like the Brigantine.
He ended up discovering the New world on October6. The Bark- Usually had four rigged sails.
12, 1492.7. The Brig- It was a two masted square rigged ship.
Another important part of the history of AmericanSome more in the history of American sailing ships
sailing ships is a sailing ship named the Godspeed,include:
which in 1607, carried settlers to the Jamestown1. The Wanderer- A sixty foot long fishing schooner,
colonies.that was built in 1903.
One of the most famous sailing ships is the Mary2. The Wanderbird- Built as a North Sea fishing trawler
Celeste, which on November 5, 1872, was set to travelin 1963.
from New York to Italy to deliver alcohol. The ship3. The Wawona- One of three, three masted
was seen heading to the Strait of Gibraltar about aschooners still in the U.S.
month later. The entire cargo of alcohol was still on4. The Welcome- A schooner built in 1795 for collecting
board, and in good shape, but there were none of thecustoms.
ten passengers to be found. Many people believe that5. We are Here- Built in Massachusetts before 1888. It
the alcohol on board began to leak, and the captainwas captained by Edward Byard.
must have ordered everyone overboard because he6. Westward- A 125ft. Steel schooner.
thought that the ship would explode. The exact7. Wendemeen- This is a schooner that was built in
account of what happened on the Mary Celeste will1912.
probably never be known.8. Windy- Four masted Gaff schooner made in
Different kinds of ships in the history of AmericanChicago.
sailing are:9. Wolf- A 74ft. top sail schooner that is made with a
1. The Sloop- It had one mast, and cut sail. This type ofsteel hull.
ship could be very large, and some were quite small.Throughout the history of American sailing ships we
2. The Brigantine- It had two masts, and a topgallanthave had many different types of vessels to lead us
sail. The foremast was rigged square, but theon the grandest of all sailing voyages.