Schooner Sultana Visits FBYC Again
on Monday June 22, 2009 11:11AM
The Colonial Schooner Sultana, a reproduction vessel that partnered with the Deltaville Maritime Museum and FBYC to bring the John Smith Shallop Rendezvous to Deltaville two years ago, revisited FBYC on Wednesday, June 17, during a trip north to her homeport in Chestertown, Maryland. While berthed at the end of the Fishing Bay pier, she conducted public tours for two hours in the afternoon. Later that evening, captain and crew dined with the clubs Wednesday Night Dinner crowd and received a ceremonial FBYC burgee to commemorate the visit. Vowing to fly the burgee proudly aboard ship, the crew reciprocated with a gift to the club of a Sultana poster signed by all of its members.The schooner is a reproduction of a Royal Navy surveyor and tax enforcer built in 1767. The original vessel patrolled the Southern Chesapeake until the American Revolution when she returned to England. The replica, launched in 2001 after years of volunteer labor, is considered one of the worlds finest 18th century reproduction vessels.
She is led by Captain Tanya Banks-Christensen and her 6-man crew, an ironic misnomer since, unlike in colonial times, her current complement consists of five females and only two males. The Sultana travels around the Bay for an 8-month season of informational tours and 5-day live aboard programs for young adults.
The visit to FBYC drew a large crowd, proving that history doesnt just live in the past.