Port of Pensacola, FL
Sailing the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico is a three-masted beauty called the Peacemaker. She’s a very unique ship though, i dare say, most traditional sailing vessels have an interesting history. While visiting Pensacola, Florida for the holidays, i had the opportunity to go aboard. It was her first visit to the city and i am so pleased they made this one of their ports of call.
Wooden ships are lovely. No matter how you look at it – even if you don’t give a whistle for ships – seeing this great Lady is a joy. You don’t often, in these days of manufactured goods, see craftsmanship like this. The hull is made of a wonderful Brazilian wood called ipe (aka “ironwood”), a tough weather-resistant wood, while much of the interior is luscious mahogany that has been lovingly polished to a cheery sheen. Ah – just the name mahogany makes me feel warm and cozy. Walking the decks or walking a passageway, i couldn’t help but to run my hands along the wooden planks, smooth as glass. Nice!
Detail of Deck Railing
The building history of this ship is interesting. Built in 1986 and launched in 1989 by a Brazilian named Frank Walker, the plans were to sail with his family then charter the ship in the Caribbean. But then life happened and the Walkers ended up selling her in 2000 to the group that currently sails her. And that’s where it gets really intriguing. The organization that runs the ship is a religious group called the Twelve Tribes. I had never heard of them. I soon discovered their grassroots, back-to-simplicity, and devotion to God to be a perfect complement to sailing. Working a ship this size tests your mettle. Following your beliefs and culture, especially in today’s jet-set world, tests your resolve. What better way to bring community, camaraderie, seamanship, and religious vision together than under the lofty sails of a traditional sailing ship?
I’m no expert on the matter, but this is the first i’m aware of a religious group owning and operating, as a community, a non-passenger sailing vessel. And i was impressed. Certainly with the ship, and most definitely with the people. They were friendly and easy to talk to. And good cooks! Well, they don’t sell meals to non-crew, but what i smelled cooking in the galley made my mouth water so it smelled like they were good cooks! They have a restaurant on the West Coast called the Yellow Deli in Vista, CA. If i ever go there, i will be sure to look them up. All cooking aside, there was something else about them that caught my attention – their sense of calm. That’s not a description i use for many folks. Most people are in too much of a hurry. Too much into drama. Too much into themselves to see or hear others. They were not like that. Or that is the impression they left me. Calm. It was a good feeling. I liked them and the ship so much that i came back for a second tour with my father. And then, on New Year’s Eve at the downtown celebration, i ran into a group of them again. I spoke only to one of them, their engineer; he was very open and full of smiles. And once again i got the feeling of great calmness.
I’m no expert on the matter, but this is the first i’m aware of a religious group owning and operating, as a community, a non-passenger sailing vessel. And i was impressed. Certainly with the ship, and most definitely with the people. They were friendly and easy to talk to. And good cooks! Well, they don’t sell meals to non-crew, but what i smelled cooking in the galley made my mouth water so it smelled like they were good cooks! They have a restaurant on the West Coast called the Yellow Deli in Vista, CA. If i ever go there, i will be sure to look them up. All cooking aside, there was something else about them that caught my attention – their sense of calm. That’s not a description i use for many folks. Most people are in too much of a hurry. Too much into drama. Too much into themselves to see or hear others. They were not like that. Or that is the impression they left me. Calm. It was a good feeling. I liked them and the ship so much that i came back for a second tour with my father. And then, on New Year’s Eve at the downtown celebration, i ran into a group of them again. I spoke only to one of them, their engineer; he was very open and full of smiles. And once again i got the feeling of great calmness.
So if you live in a port city in the Eastern US, take a look on the horizon. Maybe a brigantine by the name of Peacemaker is sailing her way to you.
Peacemaker website: (note their itinerary)
A Very Homey Ship!
No Doubt, You Have to Know Your Lines
Captain's Wheel
Lovely, Lovely Mahognany
View Off the Stern
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