Tall Ship Lynx Makes First Portsmouth Waterfront Appearance at Schooner Days

Privateer 'LYNX' will be participating in this year's Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

The Lynx will make its' first Portsmouth waterfront appearance at Schooner Days from October 15 & 16, 2010.  This two-day celebration offers numerous maritime-related activities, many are free to the general public.

The Privateer Lynx will join the over 40 vessels to sail from Baltimore to Portsmouth for the 21st Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.  The race leaves Baltimore Maryland on October 14, 2010.  Vessels start arriving on the Portsmouth waterfront sometime Friday October 15th - depending on wind conditions.
The Portsmouth waterfront from North Landing to beyond the High Street Landing will showcase over 40 schooners from local and distant ports and is considered the largest gathering of schooners in the world.

Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia October 15-17, 2010

Lynx, America's Privateer, represents the first ships to defend our freedom. She was designed and built to interpret a privateer or naval schooner from the War of 1812. The 114 ton Lynx is an interpretation of a privateer or naval schooner from the War of 1812.  She is fitted with period ordnance and flies pennants and flags from the 1812 era making her one of the first ships to defend our freedom.

Color engraving of the original Baltimore Clipper USS LYNX.

The Lynx crew wear period dress and operate the ship in keeping with the maritime traditions of early 19th Century America. Lynx represents a “letter of Marque” Baltimore Clipper, considered to be among the finest privateer schooners ever built.  Because of their swiftness and maneuverability, these ships were most effective as blockade runners and offensive weapons of war.  Students and adults will recognize the War of 1812 as a significant element of American heritage and as a turning point in the development of our national identity. The educational early American history and science programs that are aboard Lynx meet specific State Standards.
The Privateer Lynx was hired to train the cast and crew of the hit movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Privateer Lynx will be offering Public Dockside Tours on Saturday and Sunday October 16 & 17 as part of Portsmouth’s '2010 Schooner Days’.  Climb aboard and step back in time as you relive history and feel the adventure.  On decks and below Lynx evokes the life, spirit, and atmosphere of a vanished age of sail.
‘Public Dockside Tours’ will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon.  Once you step on board the Lynx, you'll be taking a giant step back in time.  You will learn firsthand, the important role that Privateers played during the War of 1812.  As you walk these decks of history, the crew of the Lynx will explain the Privateer concept and what the day-to-day life of a Privateer was like.  Relax, stay as long as you like and investigate every part of this unique living history museum.  This is truly an educational experience that is fun for children as well as adults.  Once you've taken the dockside tour, you will surely want to sign on for a Adventure sail.  A $5.00 donation is requested for the Dockside Tour.

A crew member prepares to fire a cannon aboard  the Privateer LYNX.

Lynx is available for school field trips, private charters, team building, and receptions.   Recipient of the American Sail Training Associations 2008 SAIL TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE YE AR AWARD and the 2008 TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE PERRY BOWL AWARD.
About the Priviateer Lynx
The Lynx Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization, dedicated to hands-on educational programs that teach the history of America’s struggle to preserve its independence.  For donation information, please contact the Lynx Educational Foundation at 866.446.5969.  Their offices are located at 509 29th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
For more information, go to www.privateerlynx.org

About Schooner Days
Schooner Days is a celebration of the world’s largest gathering of schooners along the waterfront of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. It's held this year in conjunction with the 21st Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Baltimore to Portsmouth- racing to save the bay!

Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia October 15-17, 2010

Schooner Days was created in 2009 to commemorate Portsmouth’s rich maritime history with a variety of scheduled historical recreation events including demonstrations by shipwright artisans, maritime related musicians, costumed actors and even a hands-on building of a skiff!  Other exhibits will be on hand to bring awareness for the need to preserve and improve the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.
For more information, go to www.schoonerdays.com

About the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race
The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR) was founded to promote public awareness of the Chesapeake Bay's maritime heritage and to encourage the preservation and improvement of the Chesapeake's natural resources.

Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Fells Point, Baltimore,  Maryland 127 nautical miles down the Chesapeake Bay to Portsmouth, Virginia.

 Proceeds of the race are donated to one or more charitable organizations involved in conservation of the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.  To date, $137,624 has been donated to support children's education programs of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The race begins in Fells Point, in Baltimore, Maryland, and ends 127 nautical miles down the Chesapeake Bay in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Entry is open to all schooner-rigged vessels.
More than 40 schooners are participating in this year's 21st annual race.
For more information, go to www.schoonerrace.org