Lynx Sails Into Greenport

Need to brush up on your history of the War of 1812? The 122-foot square top sail schooner Lynx will be docking in Greenport for a week of history lessons, adventure sails, and onboard tours.

During the War of 1812, privateers, or naval schooners like the Lynx were used as blockade runners and offensive ships. The Lynx is a replica of a Baltimore Schooner launched in 2001 by the non-profit Lynx Educational Foundation. This is the ship’s second visit to Greenport.

“We love to have her here, “said Manager Jeff Goubeaud.

According to Goubeaud, the Lynx approached the Village last year on their search for a deep-water port and the Village had the space.

“It’s good for Greenport. It doesn’t cost Greenport any money to have her here and she brings groups into the Village for tours,” Goubeaud said.

Last year’s stop in Greenport was a relatively last-minute stop and the Lynx crew found it to be a good host for the ship’s education program, according to Director of Operations Jeffrey Woods. The ship books schools and other groups for tours and adventure sails. The crew wears period clothing and operates the ship in accordance with 19th Century American traditions.

“The hospitality is what really brought us to Greenport,” said Woods. “The marina provides us with free dockage and we have the support of the local people. People there really like maritime history and it’s a nice place to stop.”

Woods said the program offered on the ship teaches students about the War of 1812, privateers, and what life on a ship was like. Students learn the various stations on the ship and even get to see the guns fired. The part schools like, said Woods, is that their tour and sails meet specific state education standards.

The Lynx is based on the West Coast, but is on a five-year trip along the East Coast, Canada, and the Great Lakes. According to Woods, 2012 will bring celebrations from across the country for the bicentennial of the war of 1812 and the Star- Spangled Banner. The Lynx and other tall ships will be traveling through deep-water ports throughout the East Coast next year to mark the anniversary.

“The government will be involved in bringing the Navy and Tall Ships together to honor our troops who are fighting for our country now and to mark the significance of the War of 1812 and the freedom that we gained from it,” Woods said.

Lynx will arrive in Greenport on May 3 at 12 p.m. The ship will be open for tours and public sailings May 4 through May 11. If a simple two-hour cruise on this piece of history is not enough, be part of the crew and take a sail from Greenport to Newport, R.I. on May 12.

For more information or to book a trip on the Lynx while it’s in Greenport, visit the website: http://www.privateerlynx.com/