Lynx Makes Her Grand Entrance

More than 200 local residents lined the shoreline Wednesday afternoon for their chance to see The Lynx, a historic 122-foot square top sail schooner that will be for the first time.

Through raw and windy conditions, the Lynx pierced through the fog and fired her cannons to signal her arrival, much to the delight of the children and onlookers stepping out onto the rocks at .

For the next four days, the ship will welcome residents aboard for educational tours and will offer sunset sails through the harbor.

From the uniforms of the members of the ship's crew to the cannons that line her deck, every detail of The Lynx has been recreated to mirror a tall ship that was among the first to defend our country. 

According to The Lynx Educational Foundation's website, The Lynx is an interpretation of an actual privateer named Lynx that was built by Thomas Kemp in 1812 in Fell's Point, Maryland. The Lynx was among the first ships to defend American freedom by evading the British naval fleet then blockading American ports and serving in the important privateering efforts.

At the outbreak of the War of 1812, the American Navy consisted of only 17 ships - eight frigates, two brigs, and seven assorted smaller vessels including a few schooners which saw service in the Barbary Wars.

In those days, when a nation went to war, owners of private vessels were granted special permissions, called "letters of marque," to prey upon the enemy's shipping; thus, "privateers." While rarely engaging enemy warships, their impact was felt by English merchants who insisted on warship escorts for their vessels.

To perform this duty, warships were drawn away from engaging the scant American Navy and blockading our coast, and thus did the privateers, motivated by profit, assist in our national defense.

Today's Grand Entrance

Local residents are invited to line the shoreline and hit the water to join the flotilla as The Lynx fires a salute from her main battery of 6-pounder carronade deck guns upon her grand entrance into Marblehead Harbor.

“We are very excited for our visit to Marblehead, and want to thank wholeheartedly our Hosts, Marblehead Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors, The Town of Marblehead, The Harbor Master, The Landing Restaurant, Glovers Regiment, USCG,  Shuttle service and their sponsors," said Jeffrey Woods, Director of Operations for the Lynx Educational Foundation. “It is through their generous support that Marblehead residents will have the chance to walk the decks and step back in time aboard Lynx, America’s National Treasure."

The Lynx is a celebrated War of 1812 replica ship that has sailed along the West Coast from Hawaii and California and is scheduled for a five-year mission along the East Coast of the United States, the Great Lakes and Canada, where she will be participating  in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. 

Schedule of Events:

Wednesday, May 18 at 4 p.m. - Grand Arrival in Marblehead Harbor with ships guns ablaze.  Enjoy volleys of gunfire between Marblehead’s Glover’s Regiment and the Lynx as she is welcomed into our protected Harbor, and Julie Hahnke will bagpipe throughout the event. Best viewing location for this event: Fort Sewall, Marblehead.

The Lynx will then dock at the State Street Landing, and onlookers will have the opportunity to “Meet the Crew” at the Landing Restaurant, 81 Front Street.

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Thursday, May 19: Ship Tours – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Public Adventure Sail from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Ticketing and Information: For reservations please call 866-446-5969 (PST) or visit www.privateerlynx.org for online ticketing.

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Friday, May 20 – Ship Tours – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Public Adventure Sail – 2pm to 4 p.m.

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Friday, May 20 – Chamber Night on the Lynx

Join event organizers, the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce and the Landing Restaurant for a special reception and evening sail. 

5 pm – Reception at the Landing Restaurant – includes appetizers and a glass of wine or mug of beer

6 pm – Sail on the Lynx for an hour and a half.

$75 per person, Tickets and Information: 781-631-2868. Tickets are limited, First come-first serve.

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Saturday, May 21 – Ship Tours – 10am – 1pm and Public Adventure Sail – 2pm – 4pm

Glover’s Regiment to sing sea shanties at the dock in the evening.

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Sunday, May 22 – Ship Tours – 10am – 1pm and Public Adventure Sail – 2pm – 4pm

Ticketing and Information: For reservations please call 866-446-5969 (PST) or visit www.privateerlynx.org for online ticketing.

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General Ticketing Information:

Ship Tours -Adults $5.00 (Children 12 & under FREE must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)

Sailing Adventures -Adults $55.00 (Children 12 & under $30.00 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)

Boarding at the State Street Public Landing, Downtown Marblehead

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The Lynx was awarded the 2011 Nautical Maritime Historical Society’s Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Education.