Skip to main content

Great News for the Schooner Virginia

Schooner Virginia racing the Pride of Baltimore II.  Photo by Fred LeBlanc.
Here's an update on the work accomplished on the Schooner Virginia during the past year as reported by the Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation. The ship has literally come back to life thanks to the extraordinary efforts of her many friends, volunteers, and most importantly, donors without whose financial support, the 'Schooner Virginia' would not be here today.


•  Great News #10: Virginia successfully completed the U.S.C.G. inspection for an attraction vessel.

•  Great News #9: Virginia was dry-docked, her hull scraped clean and caulked tight.

•  Great News #8: Virginia received immeasurable support and assistance from members of the maritime
community including Lyon Shipyard, Colonna’s Shipyard, Crofton Diving, Bay Diesel, Metro Marine to name a few.

•  Great News #7: Received tremendous support and assistance from two very important maritime associations, the Virginia Ship Repair Association and the Virginia Maritime Association.

•  Great News #6: Received notice that the grant request for $250,000 for the Transportation Enhance Act has been approved. Though these funds can only be used to reduce construction debt, it allows the Virginia to funnel other donations to the important work of maintenance and repair to get Virginia sailing.

•  Great News #5: Because of your support, the Virginia has new masts, booms, gaffs, and topmasts that are needed to replace the originals.

•  Great News #4: Mast stepping was completed.

•  Great News #3: Because of the extraordinary efforts of the Virginia's faithful volunteers, Virginia’s bright work has been varnished, below decks cleaned and general care, including protecting the ship from Hurricane Irene, accomplished.

•  Great News #2: The Virginia is close to finalizing the details of our relationship with Nauticus that will place Virginia in the center of the very exciting new community sailing center to be located there.

•  Great News #1: Virginia will be ready for Virginia OpSail Virginia 2012, the extraordinary collaborative event among OpSail National, the United States Navy, Norfolk Festevents, and hundreds of other national, state and local organizations in June of 2012. This will be the largest maritime event in our region’s history and Virginia will be prominent vessel among the Commonwealth’s fleet!

Donate now and help get Virginia buck under sail!
In addition to the in-kind donations that have reduced the Virginia's expenses while providing much needed work, they have also continued to receive generous donations from members of the board and the many friends of the schooner Virginia.  Without this support, the Virginia could not have kept up with maintenance and other expenses.

Supporters hope a partnership with an educational sailing center proposed at Nauticus will keep the ship going. Recently, philanthropist Jane Batten pledged $1.5 million for the center, which will serve disadvantaged youths.

The news is great but the work list to prepare for sailing as a participant in OpSail 2012 and beyond is also great and urgently need your support now to keep this momentum afloat. Please consider making a donation today. You can donate to the Schooner Virginia by following this link on the Schooner Virginia website.

You can also support the Schooner Virginia by purchasing Schooner Virginia apparel, gifts and accessories. buy Schooner Virginia apparel and proudly wear your support! Shop the Schooner Virginia Nautical Store online by visiting the link here to the Schooner Virginia Ship's Store!

Hope to see you during Virginia OpSail 2012!

Joe & Alison Elder
Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

J. Robert Burnell: Reflections of the Famed Portsmouth Artist

"The Captain's House" by J. Robert Burnell Portsmouth artist J. Robert Burnell (Bobby) grew up around the water in a family of watermen, and sailing his own boat since he was ten years old. He has sailed on nearly every type of workboat on the Chesapeake Bay.  It's no wonder that Burnell's love of the water reflects so naturally in his marine paintings.  Bobby Burnell is recognized for his vivid depictions of life on the Chesapeake Bay.  The subject is his favorite - each piece open and honest, providing a unique understanding of its mood and people. 'The Captain's House' by Burnell is shown above. One of the largest collections of Burnell's marine art is on exhibit at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery   and his works are on display in their showroom year-round. "Scott's Creek- Circa 1915 by J. Robert Burnell One of the keys to Burnell's success on the canvas is the work he does outside the studio.  Burnell believe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Marine Artist Bob Holland Captures the Essence of our Maritime History

The Bounty, Greenport, New York.  Limited edition Giclee reproduction From original watercolor . Image size 20"x 27"      I met Bob Holland for the first time in 2009 at his studio in  d’ART CENTER in Norfolk, Virginia. We were about to open an exhibit titled "Celebrating our Maritime Heritage" as part of the 20th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and our first annual "Schooner Days" events held in conjunction with the Schooner Race here in Olde Towne Portsmouth. As a Hampton Roads native, I've grown accustom to seeing the art work of this well known artist and I really wanted to have Bob Holland's marine artwork in our gallery and as part of this exhibit. "The Eagle" USCG United States Coast Guard New London, Connecticut. Limited edition Giclee reproduction from original watercolor. Image size 20"x27"      Bobby Burnell, another exceptional marine artist that we represent had just delivered to us a few  new pain...
Post a Comment
Read more

Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Art Gallery Relocates to 620 High Street

Recently moved from the riverfront, Skipjack Nautical Wares new showroom is larger and features a more visible storefront. R eferred to by our customers as Skipjack 4.0, this is the fourth store location in Coastal Virginia and is  now located at 620 High Street in historic downtown (Olde Towne) Portsmouth, Virginia.  Skipjack Nautical Wares previous riverfront store located at 1 High Street adjacent to the High Street basin and the Hog Island Lighthouse Lens Pavilion in historic Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. The number one question asked today by visitors and customers alike is "Why did you move from your riverfront location?" For those that are knowledgeable of our history, it does make sense to wonder why. The simple answer is, the building was sold and the new owners are renovating the building and converting into luxury apartments. Our lease was until the end of September 2015 which gave us 6 months from time of notice to find a new location and move. With numerous tr...
Post a Comment
Read more