The modern schooner developed in the eastern states of America and quickly took varying forms. The classic schooner is, however, a two-masted ship with the aftermast as tall as, or taller than, the foremast; the vessel’s rig is principally fore and aft. The name ‘schooner’ may originally have described the hull but later defined the rig. Such ships were used for several purposes, including fishing on the outer banks. Although Dutch vessels had a schooner rig in the 17th century, the first schooner as such is generally credited to Gloucester,
Massachusetts, in 1713.
Length: 60ft (18.3m)
Beam: 17ft 6in (5.3m)
Depth: 7ft (2.1m)
Displacement: 80t
Rigging: two masts; fore-and-aft rig with gaff and boom; foresail to bowsprit
Complement: 6
Cargo: fish
Routes: New England coastal waters