Alexandria (schooner) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Launched | 1929 |
| Fate | Foundered and sank, 9 December 1996 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Three-masted topsail schooner |
| Length | 125 ft (38 m) (sparred) |
| Beam | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Height | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Draft | 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m) |
The Alexandria was a beautiful three-masted schooner that carried cargo across the seas. Built in 1929, this ship had a long and interesting life, sailing under different names and even appearing in movies. It was known for its tall masts and many sails.
Contents
Meet the Tall Ship Alexandria
This famous ship started its journey in Sweden. It was a schooner, which is a type of sailing ship with at least two masts. The Alexandria was special because it had three masts.
From Sweden to the Sea
The ship was first built in 1929 at Björkenäs, Sweden. Its original name was Yngve. It had a small 58 horsepower engine to help it move when there was no wind.
Around 1937, the ship's sails and ropes were changed. It became a ketch, which is another type of sailing ship. In 1939, the ship was sold and got a new name, Lindö.
For many years, the Lindö sailed in the Baltic Sea. It worked as a coastal trader, carrying goods from one port to another. In 1975, it made a big trip across the Atlantic Ocean to New York City.
A New Name and Adventures
In early 1976, the ship was rebuilt. Its rigging was changed back to its original design as a three-masted topsail schooner. This meant it had many more sails and looked very grand.
That same year, the ship took part in Operation Sail. This was a big event where many tall ships gathered. It also joined a similar event in Boston in 1980.
In 1984, a group called the Alexandria Seaport Foundation bought the ship. This foundation is a non-profit group in Alexandria, Virginia. They renamed the ship Alexandria.
The foundation used the Alexandria as a "live museum." People could visit it in Alexandria and learn about old sailing ships. The ship also sailed as a friendly ambassador for the city. It traveled to many places, from Boston in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south.
The Alexandria had a complex set of sails. It had a long bowsprit and jib-boom at the front. It also had a foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast. All three masts had topmasts and gaffs for its main sails. The fore topmast had three yards for its topsails.
The ship carried many sails:
- Four headsails at the front.
- Three gaff sails and three gaff topsails (one on each mast).
- Upper and lower square topsails on the foremast.
- A staysail between the fore and main masts.
- Another staysail between the main and mizzen masts.
A Star on the Screen
The Alexandria was not just a working ship; it was also a movie star! In 1980, it appeared in the movie "The Island." At that time, it was still called the Lindö.
In the movie, the ship was a big part of the story. It was easy to spot because of its bright red sails. Later, in the fall of 1993, the ship was used as a prop for another movie, Interview with the Vampire, in New Orleans.
The Final Voyage
After its movie appearance, the ship spent the winter in New Orleans. It then sailed back to Alexandria the next spring.
In early 1996, an inspection showed that the ship was not safe to sail. It needed a lot of expensive repairs. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation could not afford these repairs.
In the fall of 1996, the ship was sold to a new owner. Sadly, on December 9, 1996, the Alexandria sank. This happened off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, after it took on water all night.
The seven people on board were rescued by the Coast Guard. Five crew members were saved right away. The other two were rescued after spending about six and a half hours in the water.
