Along the horizon, seeming to float across the surface of the water is a ship that conjures up reminders of the Chesapeake’s notorious and vibrant past—a past populated by pirates, merchant vessels, and tales of the Revolutionary War.
The Schooner Sultana, with its vast sails is reminiscent of the vibrant maritime history of not only the Chesapeake, but the entire coastal region of the Delmarva Peninsula. This weekend, the Sultana, and other Tall Ships like her will be docked together in one place—the historic Chestertown Marina, participating in Sultana Projects Down Rigging Weekend Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festival.
The Sultana Comes to Life
In 1997 a group of educators from the Eastern Shore wished to create a means to bring forth and preserve the rich history of the Chesapeake Bay region. Four years later, and after tremendous community effort, the Schooner Sultana became a real working vessel. Sultana’s mission as the “Schoolship of the Chesapeake” has succeeded in teaching over 45,000 students and educators about the culture, the vibrant history, and the natural resources of the Chesapeake region.
The Sultana is a full-scale reproduction of a British ship that once sailed the waters of the Chesapeake prior to the Revolutionary War (circa 1768). The Sultana’s current status as a floating classroom affords many students the opportunity to learn about history through hands on experience. In the summer months, some even get to explore the Chesapeake during a weeklong sojourn.
Additionally, the Sultana serves as a catalyst to Sultana Projects—the non-profit organization that operates and maintains the vessel–and other outreach projects. As a result Sultana Projects has been able to offer classroom curriculums such as the “Roots of a Nation” teaching American History initiative, classroom programs like “Tea and Taxes,” programs offered at the Sultana Center and Shipyard, and the on-site festival, Down Rigging Weekend.
Down Rigging Weekend
This weekend, October 27-30th, the Sultana plays hostess to other Tall Ships and wooden vessels on the Chester River at the Chestertown Marina. The vessels converge for four days celebrating maritime history through music, noted speakers including maritime authors and respected environmental journalists, hands-on activities, tours of the ships, and even the opportunity to sail on the vessels.
Visit a fleet combined of every possible wooden vessel—schooners, buy boats, skipjacks and more. Friday and Saturday evenings the fleet will be illuminated, and fireworks over the water additionally enhance the festive spirit on Friday night.
Saturday and Sunday, sail on the vessels, and Sunday celebrate Family Day. Model boat building and sailing, a touch tank, Scales and Tales animals, and even a Children’s Harmonica Workshop enable families to get up close and personal with maritime and wildlife of the region.
Additionally, celebrate Halloween in a most memorable way—the Tall Ships including the Sultana, Kalmar Nyckel, Lady Baltimore, Lynx, and the Pride of Baltimore II, will be open for touring and trick-or-treating; costumes are strongly encouraged.
