Merchant ship replica sails from Kingston to Yonkers


Kalmar Nyckel

YONKERS – The Kalmar Nyckel, an authentic, seagoing replica of the Dutch-built armed merchant ship that founded New Sweden in what is now the State of Delaware in 1638, is coming to Yonkers.

Visitors are invited to discover the remarkable story behind this great ship. The original ship returned to the Swedish navy after crossing the Atlantic a record eight times – one of the great ships of its time.

Captain Lauren Morgens will help you discover a unique hands-on experience when she invites you to haul lines, set sails or simply enjoy a picnic and sail on Kalmar Nyckel.

The Tall Ship of Delaware arrives in Yonkers from the Rondout Creek in Kingston for Hudson River sails on Friday, August 16 through Sunday, August 18.

Ticket holders will have the opportunity to sail aboard a 17th-century Swedish naval vessel. Advance tickets are recommended; purchase online at www.KalmarNyckel.org/BookASail or call (302) 429-7447.  The ship will be docked at 71 Water Grant St., Yonkers, NY, adjacent to X20 Xaviar’s Restaurant.

Kalmar Nyckel will kick-off its visit with an afternoon sail from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and two sails a day on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Schedules are available online and tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for ages 17 and under.

“We are excited to be returning to Yonkers after Kalmar Nyckel’s great introduction to the city last August. Our goal is to give people a chance to enjoy sailing and experience a slice of maritime history for themselves,” says Cathy Parsells, executive director of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.

The summer schedule includes voyages to Norfolk Harborfest, VA, Cambridge, MD; Provincetown and Salem, MA, as well as Kingston, NY; Bristol, PA; and Historic New Castle, DE.

The ship has visited the Rondout Creek for the last three years and has also docked at Newburgh.