Presented By
Confirmed Ships for 2022
Stay tuned, this site will be updated as the ship count rises.
Nao Trinidad
from Seville, Spain
US Brig Niagara
On September 10, 1813, nine small ships, including Niagara, defeated a British squadron of six vessels in the Battle of Lake Erie. A pivotal event in the War of 1812, it led to regaining Detroit, lost at the war’s outset, and lifted the nation’s morale.
The U.S. Brig Niagara is a two-masted, square-rigged sailing vessel, 198 feet sparred length, 118 feet tall. The current Niagara, the third reconstruction of the original vessel, was launched in Erie in 1988, the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. Niagara sails the Great Lakes, preserving and interpreting the story of the Battle of Lake Erie, and acting as an ambassador in her capacity as the flagship of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a Sailing School Vessel, her crew of professionals and trainees actively preserve the skills of square-rig seamanship.
Pride of Baltimore II
Description Coming Soon
Schooner Charley
Description Coming Soon
Inland Seas
Description Coming Soon
St. Lawrence II
The St. Lawrence II is a custom built Tall Ship that operates as a platform for experiential outdoor adventure programs. Every detail of the design is meant to maximize the impact of the programming and the participants' experience.
Built by Kingston Shipyards in 1953 to a design by the legendary Francis MacLachlan & Mike Eames, the ship is designed to create teamwork, community, and cooperative effort between participants; to connect people with the natural world through tactile experiences, to deliver an understanding of both the power and fragility of nature; and to foster the creation of lasting friendships.
As an experiential adventure platform, the program and accommodations are very similar to canoe tripping or backcountry camping - there is a simple cooking arrangement, cabin style bunking; it’s all very cottagey and space is used very efficiently.
The ship is extraordinarily seaworthy and sails very well - having made many voyages throughout the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
Below decks the ship is separated into 3 spaces. One forward for jr. Youth Leaders, one aft for Crew, and one amidships for participants. She is also fitted with two "heads" (washrooms), a camp “galley” (kitchen) and an Engine Room.
St. Lawrence II has a full modern navigation suite which includes Electronic Chart System, AIS, GPS, Radar, Depth Sounder and two VHF/DSC radios.
Abbey Road
Lake Superior Tall Ships accepted the donation of the Abbey Road on April 7, 2014, and immediately began taking kids of all ages sailing on Lake Superior.
The trips are “Un-plugged” experiential learning voyages. Teamwork is required which fosters acceptance of others, cultivates personal responsibility and helps develop leadership skills.
Longer trips can be physically and emotionally challenging for some participants (although not dangerous). As controlled risks are overcome by participants they discover hidden strengths, acquire new skills and increase self-confidence.
They are very proud to have had over 3,600 participants onboard the Abbey Road since 2014. She is an excellent platform for small groups and they will continue sailing her into the foreseeable future.
Gerhard Folgero
Built by Matt Putra, a professional welder in Kenosha, Wisconsin to the plans drawn up by the leading steel boat designer at that time from Philadelphia J. Murray Watts. Vessel then sold to John Caldwell who brought the boat to a higher standard of completeness and naming her ANNA Z. John enjoyed the vessel for many years before selling her to Ralph Hollingsworth who changed the name to Black Swan. I Randy Ellestad purchased the vessel in the fall of 2009 and had the boat shipped from St. Joseph harbor Mich to Knife River Minn.
He spent the next 4 years doing some major refits, building all new masts and spars all new rigging. He drew up a new sail plan and had sails made in Sussex England out of duradon.
The vessel was renamed to give honor and remembrance to the Norwegian explorer Captain Gerhard Folgero, who in 1926-1927 became the first to retrace the route believed to have been sailed by Leif Erikson and using a 42ft Viking ship to show that it could be done. He and his crew of 3 men ultimately arrived in Duluth Minn June 23, 1927. Later in 1929 he sailed a 60ft Viking ship from Norway to St. Paul Minn. becoming the first foreign flagged sailing vessel to arrive there.
M/V Sundew
former US Coast Guard Cutter
The former USCGC Sundew (WLB-404) served as a 180-foot sea going buoy tender from 1944 until its retirement in 2004. A Iris, or C-class tender, it was built by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Sundew's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth for the U.S. Coast Guard. On 29 November 1943 the keel was laid. It was launched on 8 February 1944 and commissioned on 24 August 1944. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $861,589.
Sundew is one of 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. All but one of the original tenders, USCGC Ironwood, were built in Duluth. Like all of these tenders, Sundew was named after a plant, in this case the sundew, a carnivorous plant from the genus Drosera.
In 1958, Sundew was assigned to Charlevoix, Michigan, and the following November helped in the rescue of two survivors from the Carl D. Bradley when it sank in a storm on Lake Michigan 47 miles (76 km) west-northwest of Charlevoix. Sundew remained at Charlevoix until 1981, when she was replaced by USCGC Mesquite. Sundew was then moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where it served until it was retired in 2004.
Sundew served 60 years for the Coast Guard and was decommissioned and retired on May 27, 2004.
These ships are not guaranteed. Ship lineup is subject to change without notice.