Kalmar Nyckel sets sail for Lewes; tall ship offering school programs

After hosting Swedish and Finnish dignitaries May 11 in Wilmington, Kalmar Nyckel has sailed to Lewes to host local school groups and kick off the summer sail season

The ship left Wilmington after hosting their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden and Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Eero Heinäluoma for an historic sail on the Christina River in Wilmington. This event was one of the highlights of the Jubilee Celebration marking the 375th anniversary of the arrival of the original Kalmar Nyckel and the establishment of the colony of New Sweden in 1638.

In Lewes, the ship will host more than 250 local school children, who will experience the ship’s unique hands-on learning programs. It will also offer public sails the weekend of May 24-26. A special 10 percent discount will be offered that weekend.

Capt. Lauren Morgens and crew are very enthusiastic about their stay in Lewes. While preparing the ship for the sail, Morgens said, “With sea breezes and plenty of room to set sail, Lewes is one of our favorite day-sailing ports. After spending extra time this spring preparing for our foreign guests of honor, the ship has never looked better, and it is a great moment to experience a sail on this magnificent tall ship.”

Passengers can sail on this authentic re-creation of a tall ship that brought the earliest permanent settlers to Delaware. The ship has eight sails and eight miles of rigging. Morgens and crew stand ready to make the trip exciting for the whole family. Visitors can choose an evening or day sail, or embark on a special pirate sail. Although the original Kalmar Nyckel was never a pirate vessel, serving instead as a trader, naval scout and Colonial ship, today’s crew love playing their parts in the pirate sails. These excursions are especially popular with children.

For public sail tickets and more information, contact the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation office at 302-429-7447 or visit www.kalmarnyckel.org. Ticket prices are $60 per adult and $40 for children and youth ages 17 and younger.

Some space is available for more school groups. Contact the office for information and reservations about the school program.