Update: SS Olympia – Stuck in Philadelphia by Sandbars and Scandal

Recently we posted that the Independence Seaport Museum is seeking a new owner for the USS Olympia which it cannot afford to support.  See Philly Museum Sends SOS to Care for Historic Ship.   Sadly it appears that not only … Continue reading

In the Wake of the Beagle – Stad Amsterdam arrives in Melbourne

Stad Amsterdam arriving in Melbourne Back in September we posted about a group of historians and naturalists, as well as a film crew for Dutch VPRO Television sailing on the Stad Amsterdam. The ship is retracing the voyage of HMS … Continue reading

NATO Destroyer Sinks Pirate Mother Ship off Somalia but Lets Pirates Go

In the ongoing somewhat surreal operation against piracy off Somalia,  the HDMS Absalon, a Danish destroyer, sank a pirate “mother ship” but allowed the pirates to return to shore.   The official goal appears to be to “disrupt” rather than stop pirate activities. … Continue reading

Maersk B Class Ships, World’s Fastest Container Ships, in Layup

We have recently posted about the roller coaster ride that has been container ship design over the last few decades.  See Containerships – from Slow to Fast to Slow to Fast to Slow Again.  The smartest minds in the shipping … Continue reading

Sailing Around The World With Solar

The windjammers liked the higher latitudes where the winds are stronger. This solar craft will try to still as close to the equator as possible to maximize the sunshine.  The catamaran reminds me of something out of Star Trek, perhaps a Romulan transport ship. Sailing Around The World … Continue reading

Maritime Museum Round-up – Models, Spooks, Anchors and a New Museum

USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild’s Annual Model Ship Show – Models in the Spotlight – Running through March 20th. Admission to the Museum and the exhibit are free; donations are welcome. A total of 75 different ships created by modelers … Continue reading

Historic riverboat, Becky Thatcher, sinks in Ohio River

The historic riverboat, Becky Thatcher, a 220-foot, 74-year-old stern-wheeler sank in the Ohio River off Neville Island near Pittburgh, apparently due to the weight of a record snowfall which also collapsed the top two decks. Historic riverboat sinks in Ohio River … Continue reading

Poisoned Shipments: Are Strange, Illicit Sinkings Making the Mediterranean Toxic?

A very disturbing article in this months Scientific American suggesting that criminal groups have been scuttling ships containing chemical and pharmaceutical waste, effectively using the Mediterranean as a toxic dump site. Thanks to Steve Phelps for pointing it out. Poisoned Shipments: Are Strange, Illicit Sinkings Making … Continue reading

Fleet Grows for Green Bay’s Tall Ship Festival

There are twelve tall ships scheduled to participate in Green Bay, Wisconsin’s  Tall Ship festival this August, though at this point, only six names have been announced. These are the HMS Bounty, the schooners Roseway, Amistad, the Pride of Baltimore II, the Unicorn … Continue reading