The history of american sailing

The history of American sailing ships is an exciting journey into American history, starting with the world's most famous explorer Christopher Columbus.

The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria are probably the most well known American ships in history. Christopher Columbus sailed these ships in 1492, to try to discover a trade route across the Atlantic Ocean. He ended up discovering the New world on October 12, 1492.

Another important part of the history of American sailing ships is a sailing ship named the Godspeed, which in 1607, carried settlers to the Jamestown colonies.

One of the most famous sailing ships is the Mary Celeste, which on November 5, 1872, was set to travel from New York to Italy to deliver alcohol. The ship was seen heading to the Strait of Gibraltar about a month later. The entire cargo of alcohol was still on board, and in good shape, but there were none of the ten passengers to be found. Many people believe that the alcohol on board began to leak, and the captain must have ordered everyone overboard because he thought that the ship would explode. The exact account of what happened on the Mary Celeste will probably never be known.

Different kinds of ships in the history of American sailing are:

1. The Sloop- It had one mast, and cut sail. This type of ship could be very large, and some were quite small.

2. The Brigantine- It had two masts, and a topgallant sail. The foremast was rigged square, but the mainmast was not.

3. The Barkentine- It had three masts and square sails on the foremast structure.

4. The Three Masted Schooner- The maximum masts ever used on a three masted schooner was seven.

5. The Topsail Schooner- Its rigging and masts are much like the Brigantine.

6. The Bark- Usually had four rigged sails.

7. The Brig- It was a two masted square rigged ship.

Some more in the history of American sailing ships include:

1. The Wanderer- A sixty foot long fishing schooner, that was built in 1903.

2. The Wanderbird- Built as a North Sea fishing trawler in 1963.

3. The Wawona- One of three, three masted schooners still in the U.S.

4. The Welcome- A schooner built in 1795 for collecting customs.

5. We are Here- Built in Massachusetts before 1888. It was captained by Edward Byard.

6. Westward- A 125ft. Steel schooner.

7. Wendemeen- This is a schooner that was built in 1912.

8. Windy- Four masted Gaff schooner made in Chicago.

9. Wolf- A 74ft. top sail schooner that is made with a steel hull.

Throughout the history of American sailing ships we have had many different types of vessels to lead us on the grandest of all sailing voyages.