The schooner Sultana is an accurate reproduction of the original vessel. The original Sultana was built in 1768 in Boston and purchased by the British Royal Navy who had her refitted for the purpose of enforcing tea taxes until the American Revolution.

First, let me give you a short history of this beautiful sailing vessel both the historical Sultana and the present-day Sultana. In 1768, the original Sultana was built in Boston to serve as a cargo schooner. Soon after her construction, she caught the eye of the British Admiralty. The Royal Navy purchased the Sultana and they refit her to enforce the tea taxes on the North American coast up until the time of the American Revolution. The Sultana was the smallest schooner to ever serve in the Royal Navy. She was also technically a man-of-war even though she was small.

She was eventually relieved of service in 1772 and she returned to England where she was sold out of the Royal Navy. It is suspected that she spent her days working as a private cargo schooner in the waters of the British Isles. However, that is only suspect……her true fate is a mystery.

In March 1998, the Sultana Project was put into motion in a shipyard in Chestertown, Maryland. Construction of the 18th century schooner began to produce an accurate reproduction of the original vessel. Professional shipwrights, educators and volunteers worked together for approximately 2 1/2 years to complete her.

The present-day Schooner Sultana was commissioned on July 4th, 2001. She is USCG certified and acts now as a schoolship of the Chesapeake Bay. She can accommodate up to 32 passengers for three and five hour programs that teach life on board the vessel, and learn about the Bay’’s ecosystem and geological features. These sessions also include sessions for preserving the health of the Bay.

I have only briefly given you the history of the Sultana here, I strongly suggest that you visit the web page for the Sultana to learn more about her and her present mission. You can also email the good folks at admin.schoonersultana.com to get more information about her.