Tall Ship Lynx Sets Sail for RC250

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A majestic tall ship gently sails along Coastal Georgia waters on a sunny spring day. Deckhand, Troy Ingram, affectionately known as “The Pirate,” adorned in tricorn hat, a sword, long coat, and period costume, holds court at a local coffee shop, taking selfies with fascinated onlookers. 

Welcome to the World of the Tall Ship LYNX, a traditional square topsail schooner, captained by Donald Peacock, and home to the Lynx Educational Foundation.

The ship, an interpretation of an actual privateer built in 1812, is home base for the Lynx Educational Foundation, which operates Lynx. 

“St. Simons Island is Lynx’s documented winter home port,” explains Captain Peacock. “Lynx arrives in November and departs in May for New England – and offers education opportunities for schools and youth groups as well as scheduled public sailings.”

This March, Lynx plays a supporting role as history comes to life in RC250, Revolution on the Coast, a 250th Celebration, spearheaded by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. 

“Lynx is honored to support RC250’s titled event, the First Oval Office Project of the Museum of the American Revolution – the mobile command center of the Continental Army - by offering free public deck tours and scheduled public history segments, working in conjunction with the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.”

- Captain Donald Peacock

President, The Lynx Educational Foundation

And the celebration will continue throughout the summer. Captain Peacock adds, “We’re pleased to celebrate America’s 250th with our participation in the international fleet of Tall Ships for the Semiquincentennial Parade of Sail into New York harbor on July 4th, 2026.” 

Lynx will be one of two Tall Ships, escorting the USCG Eagle, a 295-foot, three-masted barque, used as a training vessel for future officers of the United States Coast Guard. The Eagle, known as “America’s Tall Ship,” is one of two active commissioned sailing vessels, along with the USS Constitution, and the only active square-rigger, in U. S. government service today.

“We’re delighted to be part of a community that recognizes early American history the way St. Simons and the Golden Isles does,” says Captain Peacock. He considers it a bit of historical divine intervention that Lynx found her way to the Georgia Coast. 

“In 1794, the northern axemen (shipbuilders) arrived at Gascoigne Bluff to cut Live Oak to build America’s first Navy, including “Old Ironsides.” Twenty percent of the Live Oak in the U.S.S. Constitution still in there today is from St. Simons Island.” Captain Peacock adds, “America came to this island to build our new navy. These are the kinds of stories I tell on deck.”  

For more information about Tallship Lynx, deck tours, public and educational sailing opportunities, call 978.479.2197 or visit tallshiplynx.org.