YORKTOWN — Kalmar Nyckel, The Tall Ship of Delaware, returns to the shores of the York River on Thursday, June 13 through Saturday, June 17, offering 2 1/2-hour day sails and deck tours at the Riverwalk Landing piers in Yorktown.
The Kalmar Nyckel is a full-scale replica of the merchant ship that brought Swedish settlers to North America in 1638 and founded the colony of New Sweden, the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley.
Free deck tours, courtesy of the Yorktown Tall Ship Committee and York County, will be offered on June 13 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon, while day sails on the ship offer a unique, hands-on experience where visitors can haul lines, set sails, and hear tales from the crew, or simply relax and enjoy the ship.
Three days of 2 1/2 hour sails are planned: Thursday, June 15 through Saturday, June 17.
There will also be a scavenger hunt and pirate story for the kids, and costumes are welcome.
“As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Kalmar Nyckel’s Commissioning and her 25th sailing season, we are excited to return to Historic Yorktown after many years. We look forward to connecting with the town’s maritime traditions and scenic riverfront,” notes Cathy Parsells, Executive Director of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. Captain Lauren Morgens and her volunteer crew stand ready to create an exciting experience for the whole family.
Ship Schedule in Yorktown:
- Tuesday, June 13; Free deck tours 2–5 p.m.
- Thursday, June 15; Free deck tours 9 a.m.–noon and day sail: 3–5:30 p.m.
- Friday, June 16; day sails 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 3–5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 17; day/evening sails 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5–7:30 p.m.
The Kalmar Nyckel, built, owned, and operated by the nonprofit The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation (KNF), has professional officers and a crew of 200 trained volunteers who help maintain, sail, and teach its programs. Launched in 1997, Kalmar Nyckel serves as an ambassador for the state and offers people of all ages a variety of sea- and land-based recreational and educational experiences.
According to a press release, the Yorktown Foundation Tall Ships Committee was chartered to encourage tall ships of the world to dock at the Riverwalk Landing Piers and serve as an educational experience to learn about the vessels’ impact in history.
For details on Kalmar Nyckel charters, volunteer opportunities and the Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Maritime Center visit KalmarNyckel.org, call 302-429-7447, and follow Kalmar Nyckel on Facebook and Instagram.
Tickets for day sails cost $65 per adult and $40 per child 12 and younger, and are available online or by calling 302-429-7447. Advance reservations are highly recommended as space is limited to 49 passengers per sail. The schedule is weather dependent and subject to change. Visit Yorktown for additional event information.
