WEST PALM BEACH – PEANUT ISLAND

PUBLIC DOCKSIDE TOURS
Once you step on board the LYNX, you’ll be taking a giant step back in time. You will learn first hand, the important role that Privateers played during the War of 1812. As you walk these decks of history, the crew of the LYNX will explain the Privateer concept and what the day-to-day life of a Privateer was like. Relax, stay as long as you like and investigate every part of this unique living history museum. This is truly an educational experience that is fun for children as well as adults. Once you’ve taken the dockside tour, you will surely want to sign on for a Adventure sail.

PUBLIC ADVENTURE SAIL
Enjoy a rollicking day on the waters aboard a square-topsail schooner of days long past. Join the crew, hoist the sails, steer the ship, and fire the main battery of six-pounder carronades and experience first-hand, the life of an early 19th-century sailor. While underway, the ship’s crew will host several informal “learning stations” that will give a brief outline on early American history, and the important role Baltimore Clippers such as LYNX played during the War of 1812.

Schedule & Tickets available online: www.privateerlynx.org

WPTV Channel 5 West Palm Beach February 9, 2010 Video
http://www.wptv.com/content/news/centralpbc/rivierabeach/story/Lynx-privateer-trost-ship-peanut-island-glazer-woo/aAPG1iedF0K4yhG1AqHvgQ.cspx

Sail back into American history
Reported by: Glenn Glazer
Email: gglazer@wptv.com
Last Update: 6:22 pm

PEANUT ISLAND, FL– On the shores of Peanut Island, near the ships’ store and refreshments, across from the fancy houses, and the power plant, a piece of history lies in wait.

“Hands to take up on the weather fore rails,” yells the captain of the Privateer Lynx.

“Hands to take up on the weather fore rails,” yells the crew of the Lynx.

“The Lynx, she’s a Privateer, she’s from the War of 1812. She’s an interpretation of a national vessel that fought in the war,” said Jeffrey Woods, Director of Operations of the Lynx Educational Foundation.

And when you step onboard her, you step back into another century.

“You get to see the crew wearing of the previous era, you’ll get to see all the guns, you’ll get to see all the neat things that you see in all the movies about going to sea,” said Jamie Trost, Captain of the Privateer Lynx.

But her primary purpose is to educate people all over the country.

“She’s a traveling vessel, so after West Palm Beach she’s going to be heading north to various ports. But we’re here to let people know that Lynx is a national treasure, and to not forget where our freedom came from,” said Woods.

Being on the boat while it’s at the dock is fantastic, it’s basically like a floating museum, but imagine being on this boat while it’s out sailing. Well, guess what, you can do that too!

“This is where it’s interactive, the public, the kids, they all get to help hoist the sails. We actually give you demonstrations of the guns that are on board, we fire the guns,” said Woods.

“It’s all the romance and all the excitement of going to sea, complete with the period costumes of the crew, and all the high performance characteristics of this vessel, and we still get you back to shore the same day,” said Trost.

So take the water taxi out to Peanut Island, and back about two hundred years.

“You remember, you remember back again stepping back in time and seeing where it all came from. I mean, this is it, this is history!” said Woods.

Buy tickets now from our website that you are visiting or call our office 8 am to 4 pm PST 866-446-5969

Tickets are available for February and March 2010 Adventure Sails and Dockside Tours

Reserve the ship for school programs, private charters, scout troops, etc.

February 1, 2010

Woody, Jeff, Cindy and Ed:

With a flash of a smile and a “Welcome on Board!” from Captain Jamie and his able crew on the Lynx, we were transported back to the 1800s! The Captain threw off his jacket — barking orders — and the spirited crew began the arduous task of moving the Lynx out of the harbor and into the wind, sweat running down their brows, the crew struggled with all their might to raise and set the sails one by one with only block and tackle – not a modern day winch in sight. The crew, alert to their captain’s orders –- repeating his commands against the wind — worked in unison to tack the Lynx without locking it in irons, showing us a magical time on a perfect windy afternoon on the water. Every moment sparkled with excitement for those of us watching the sails fill with air and the ship glide through the waves with the precision of a finely designed old sailing machine. We watched people on shore stop to catch sight of Lynx under full sail and knew they also felt our excitement and pride – the days of the Tall Ships were real – taming the winds to drive this sleek sailing vessel towards our enemies, firing our canons just as they saw us — our mission a success! We were right there every minute with the crew.

Woody, Jeff, Cindy, Ed, Capt. Jamie and the entire crew (and Anthony, Michael and the rest of the ferry crew): You each gave us a day to remember and we THANK YOU for everything. Figuring out how to get Norm – wheelchair and all – on board went beyond the call of duty, strength and creativity – the 1800s were definitely not ‘handicap accessible’ but you did it anyway, smiling the whole time. What a thrill! We have great pictures and will get them to you shortly.

We look forward to seeing everyone in April/May when you arrive in northern Atlantic waters. Thank you so much. And a big HAPPY Birthday (belatedly) to Woody, both from us and the entire Lynx crew who miss you terribly and await your arrival with a big smile.

Bill, Pam, Ruth and Norm

P.S. Woody: Last Friday was a memorable success, a delight from beginning to end for all of us. Jeff’s, Cindy’s and Ed’s outstanding plans made everything work successfully. The crew was polite, friendly and cheerful and willing to make the challenge of Norm in a wheelchair seem relatively simple. We felt really special to have the privilege of a great sail on a perfect day. This day on the Lynx brought back wonderful memories of the launching in Rockport, taking us back in history, and reminding us of the excitement bringing Lynx down the town’s streets and finally into the water.

Thanks Woody and a very happy birthday and successful year from all of us (and also personally from each member of your Lynx crew). Sorry you didn’t make it to Palm Beach, but more of the family look forward to joining you up north. For Norm especially, but all of us, this was a day not to be forgotten!

Our best regards, Ruth