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Saltwater Vagabonds is committed sharing and interpreting the history of the Anglo-American maritime world through museum programming and immersive living history demonstrations.
With our reproduction whaleboat, the Albatross, we support museums and historic events focusing on the following periods:
-American War of Independence, 1770-1783 (Royal Navy, Continental Navy, Privateers)
-French Revolutionary Wars, 1792-1795 (Royal Navy, Privateers)
-War of 1812, 1812-1815 (Royal Navy, USN, Privateers)
-Napoleonic Wars (Royal Navy, Privateers)
-Anglo-American Merchant Seamen, 1768-1825
While based in Delaware we support museums, historic sites, and festivals up and down the East Coast creating unique programs surrounding maritime history and culture. With the Albatross we have participated in recreated naval engagements under sail and oar and orchestrated full-scale landing parties. In addition to our boat-based programming, we offer dockside demonstrations and presentations discussing shipboard life, small boat operations, landing parties, press gangs, historic tattooing, naval artillery, sailmaking, and traditional navigation. Saltwater Vagabonds can customize our offerings for your specific needs to support your vision to curate unforgettable experiences.
Vessel Hire
The Whaleboat Albatross
With a pointed stern, lapstrake construction, and extreme maneuverability, the whaleboat proved to be one of the finest historic sea boats. By the time of the American Revolution these hardy vessels were being used as privateers and in naval capacities.
The Albatross is a 28' reproduction whaleboat that was constructed in Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, c. 1992. The keel, bow, stern, stem, keelson, futtocks, ribs, inwhale, gunwhale, and sheer strake are made from white oak. The rudder, gun mount, thwart riser, thwart knees, cleats, and various other structural members are also white oak. The planking is 3/4 in cedar and thwarts are 1 1/2 in thick pine. The remaining floorboards and peaking cleats are cedar. The hull is lapstrake (clinker built) in construction and caulked.
The Albatross is fitted out with a single mast with a sprit-rigged mainsail and a jib. She can be armed with either a King Howitzer or a swivel gun in the bow.
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Have questions or want to book the Albatross ? Reach out to our crew using the form below, and we will respond promptly.
The Albatross on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, 2024
The Albatross in Gloucester, Battle of Bunker Hill 250
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