As summer approaches, Kalmar Nyckel, the tall ship of Delaware, will return to Historic Yorktown from Wednesday, June 12 through Saturday, June 15, offering 2.5-hour day sails and deck tours on the York River. Climb aboard this magnificent square-rigged full scale replica of the Swedish war ship that brought settlers to North America in 1638 and explore life as a 17th-century sailor.
The ship will dock at the Riverwalk Landing Piers, 425 Water Street, Yorktown. Plan ahead for public sails plus free deck tours courtesy of the Yorktown Tall Ship Committee and York County on Wednesday, June 12 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Captains Lauren Morgens and Sharon Dounce with their volunteer crew look forward to sharing their love of adventure and the high seas with all ages. Day sails on the Kalmar Nyckel offer a unique, hands-on experience where you are invited to haul lines and set sails to the rhythm of a chantey song. You may also choose to talk with the crew to learn about Kalmar Nyckel’s history and simply relax and enjoy time on the water.
Only three days of 2.5-hour sails are planned on Thursday, June 13, through Saturday, June 15. Tickets for day sails are available online (KalmarNyckel.org/explore) or by calling 302-429-7447 for $75 per adult and $40 per child 12 and younger (recommended for ages 8 and older). Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Space is limited. The schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.
“Following the success of our visit last year, we are thrilled to return to Historic Yorktown and share the story of the ‘Delaware Mayflower’ with visitors and residents,” said Cathy Parsells, executive director of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. “Yorktown is such a welcoming port with a fascinating connection to local tall ships and maritime history.”
Kalmar Nyckel is a full-scale replica of the Swedish war ship from the 1638 expedition that founded the colony of New Sweden, the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley. The ship has professional officers and a crew of 200 trained volunteers who help maintain, sail, and teach its programs. No experience is required, and volunteers come from across the country and the globe.
Launched in 1997, Kalmar Nyckel offers people of all ages a variety of sea- and land-based recreational and educational experiences. The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation (KNF) is a nonprofit, volunteer-based educational organization that built, owns, and operates Kalmar Nyckel. KNF delivers educational field trips, classroom programs, festivals, and events for all ages each year.
For details on Kalmar Nyckel charters, volunteer opportunities and the Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Maritime Center, visit KalmarNyckel.org, call 302-429-7447, and follow Kalmar Nyckel on Facebook and Instagram. The Yorktown Foundation Tall Ships Committee was chartered to encourage tall ships of the world to dock at the Riverwalk Landing Piers and serve as an educational experience to learn about the vessels’ impact in history.
See additional event info at www.visityorktown.org.
