Today’s
Kalmar Nyckel
The Tall Ship of Delaware is a full-scale replica of the original Swedish colonial ship, a floating classroom, and inspirational centerpiece for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s broad array of sea- and land-based educational programs that engage students and visitors of all ages.
Built at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s shipyard on Wilmington’s historic 7th Street Peninsula, the Tall Ship of Delaware was launched into the Christina River in 1997, about 200 yards downstream from the site of the original ship’s first landing at “The Rocks” in March of 1638.
Today’s
Kalmar Nyckel sails daily from April to November, voyaging more than 2,400 nautical miles each year. She sails from her home port in Wilmington, Delaware, and visits ports-of-call along the Eastern Seaboard from Virginia to New England.
The ship is served by a crew of 250 active volunteers and USCG-certified officers, including the ship’s captain, a relief captain, first mate, and second mate/lead educator. In addition to sailing, the volunteer crew maintains the ship each winter and delivers many of the Foundation’s educational programs throughout the year.
As a full-scale and faithful replica of Peter Minuit’s original flagship that founded the colony of New Sweden on the Delaware, today’s
Kalmar Nyckel provides a unique platform for the Foundation’s educational programming.
It is also a striking venue for diplomatic, recreational, governmental, and commemorative functions — a sea-going “good will ambassador” for the State of Delaware.