A To Z Challenge 2017–W is for Tall Ship Wylde Swan

 

The hull of Wylde Swan started life as a ‘herring hunter’ in the 1920’s, working off the Shetland Islands – a ship built for speed, ferrying the fresh catch from fishing grounds to the markets ashore. The Jemo, as she was originaly called, was originally built by HDW in Kiel.

The ship was decommissioned sometime in the late 20th century and had changed ownership several times before Willem Slighting saw in her underwater shape the makings of a fast sailing ship. Her sleek underwater hull is now part of a rugged sailing ship, reminiscent of the large schooner yachts of the 1900 era.

Furthermore Wylde Swan has developed her own educational program. Masterskip Wylde Swan is an educational project that has the mission to create an inspiring and demanding environment for students. The trainees have a great time and learn a lot about science, life at sea and the subjects related to the journey. Furthermore the students learn how to cooperate and work in a challenging and active environment, and experience to maintain a positive and creative atmosphere on board.

The most prestigious award of The Tall Ships Races, Sail Training International’s Friendship Trophy, presented to the vessel who contributes most to international understanding and friendship during the Race Series, was won in 2011 by Dutch vessel Wylde Swan. 

Wylde Swan’s international crew is becoming very familiar with Sail Training International’s prize giving stage as they also won first in Class A for Race Three as well as first in Class A for the entire Race Series. Their winning streak began in Lerwick when they picked-up an award for making the most impact during Cruise-in-Company before going on to win Race Two from Lerwick to Stavanger both in class and on the water. 

The Friendship Trophy was accepted in what has become recognized as true Wylde Swan spirit, singing and dancing all of the way.

 

Class: A

Nationality: Netherlands

Length: 40.90 m

Height: 36.27 m

Rig: Brigantine

Year built: 1920

Home port: Makkhum, Netherlands

 

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A To Z Challenge 2017–V is for Tall Ship Vahine

SY Vahine, Nautors Swan 65, is planned by Sparkman & Stevens and is called the most legendary Nautors Swan construction. The legend was created when Sauyula II, won the Whitbread 'around the world' race. The following year 4 Nautors Swan 65 boats were among the five fastest in the race. She is still a very fast boat especially in hard weather, in calmer weather Vahine is too heavy to be among the fastest boats
Vahine (Tahitian for woman) sails with 9 trainees, one mentor and 2 staff. The trainees will sleep in 5 cabins.
Class: C
Nationality: Finland
Length: 19.68 m
Height: 24.28 m
Rig: Bm Ketch
Year built: 1972
Home port: Helsinki
 
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A To Z Challenge 2017–U is for Tall Ship USCGC Eagle

USCGC Eagle is the sixth U.S. Coast Guard cutter to bear the name in a proud line dating back to 1792. The ship was built in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and commissioned as Horst Wessel. (Five identical sister ships were also built.)

Originally operated by Nazi Germany to train cadets for the German Navy, the ship was taken by the United States as a war prize after World War II. In 1946, a U.S. Coast Guard crew - aided by the German crew still on board - sailed the tall ship from Bremerhaven to its new homeport in New London, Connecticut. Eagle returned to Bremerhaven for the first time since World War II in the summer of 2005, to an enthusiastic welcome.

Built during the twilight era of sail, the design and construction of Eagle embody centuries of development in the shipbuilder's art. The hull is steel four-tenths of an inch thick. There are two full-length steel decks with a platform deck below. The raised forecastle and quarterdeck are made of three-inch thick teak over steel, as are the weather decks.

Eagle offers future officers the opportunity to put into practice the navigation, engineering, and other professional theory they have previously learned in the classroom. Upper class trainees exercise leadership and service duties normally handled by junior officers, while underclass trainees fill crew positions of a junior enlisted person, such as helm watches at the huge wooden wheels used to steer the vessel. Everyone who trains on Eagle experiences a character building experience.

On the decks and in the rigging of Eagle, young men and women get a taste of salt air and life at sea and they are tested and challenged, often to the limits of endurance. Working aloft, they meet fear and learn to overcome it. The experience builds character and helps future officers develop skills of leadership and teamwork that prove valuable assets throughout their careers.

Class: Military boat

Length: 89.70m

Rig: Barque 3

Year built: 1936

Home Port: New London, Connecticut (United States)

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A To Z Challenge 2017–T is for Tall Ship TS Playfair

 
Toronto Brigantine Inc. operates two brigantines, the sail-training vessels Pathfinder and Playfair. They were both designed and built as sail training vessels for TBI by Francis A. McLachlan in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Playfair was built for Toronto Brigantine Inc. as a sail training vessel. She was commissioned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, and remains the only Canadian ship to be commissioned by a reigning monarch.




Class: A
Nationality: Canada
Length: 18.23 m
Rig: Brigantine
Year built: 1973
Home port: Toronto

 
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A to Z April Challenge 2017–S is for Tall Ship St. Lawrence II

 

“St. Lawrence II” was designed in 1952 by Francis MacLachlan and Mike Eames expressly for youth sail training. Gord Workman and Grant MacLachlan were also key figures in the development and initial fund raising of what is today the longest running youth sail training organization in the world.

The hull was built at Kingston Shipyards in 1953 and she was finished by local craftsmen, the Kingston Sea Cadets, and enthusiastic amateurs, many donating their time. Originally attached to the “Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps St. Lawrence”, her program was soon opened to other youth groups and now any teen, 13 to 18 years of age, can apply to join her crew for a summer training cruise.

In almost half a century afloat, the “St. Lawrence II” has shown her flag from Lake Huron to the north-east Atlantic seaboard, proudly representing Kingston and Canada in a number of exciting Tall Ship gatherings and special maritime events.

Brigantine Inc. is committed to developing character through the adventure af tall ship sailing, and nurturing a sense of responsibility in all youths who serve on the decks of the “St. Lawrence II”.

Class: A

Nationality: Canada

Length: 18.18 m

Height: 16.46 m

Rig: Brigantine

Year built: 1953

Home port: Kingston, Ontario

 

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A To Z Challenge 2017–R is for Tall Ship Roter Sand

 

The Roter Sand is a sailing ship designed for teaching. Since the very beginning, it has been used to train sailors of all ages. Even its construction, from 1995 to 1999, was an opportunity for students specializing in carpentry, welding, engineering, architecture and mechanics to pool their talents, under the supervision of authorities at the Aucoop shipyard in Bremen-Vegesak, Germany. It was then used as a teaching and research vessel in the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, and later for leadership training on the Elbe.

A non-profit organization, EcoMaris, brought the Roter Sand to Québec on 6 July 2012, as the first environmentally-oriented training ship in Québec. The goal of the Roter Sand is to give Canadians renewed access to the St Lawrence, restore the bonds between individuals and the environment and help rebuild Québec’s maritime culture. Hundreds of budding sailors of all ages will explore the environment of the St Lawrence as they learn to navigate its challenging waters!

Class: B

Nationality: Canada

Length: 19.90 m

Rig: Gaff Ketch

Year built: 1999

Home port: Rimouski

 

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A To A Challenge 2017 – Nautical Terms Beginning with Q

 

Queen's (King's) Regulations – The standing orders governing the Royal Navy of UK issued in the name of the current Monarch.

Quarterdeck – The aftermost deck of a warship. In the age of sail, the quarterdeck was the preserve of the ship's officers.

Quayside – Refers to the dock or platform used to fasten a vessel to.

 

 

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