Happy Anniversary to Spirit of South Carolina!

Thirteen years ago, today, an outsized crane and sling operation hoisted Spirit of South Carolina up off her cradle from which she had been slowly rolled out from her shipyard in what is now Ansonborough Park, and lowered her into the Cooper River only a few feet from where she now docks.  Five years of Charleston community effort, skilled shipwrights and over 300 volunteers, countless fundraising efforts, starts and stops, finally culminated at this point. Another short phase up river where she would be rigged and then commissioned.  An excellent collection of newspaper clippings, and photos covering provide a vivid documentary to her early life.  It's all collected in a fat white binder in the bookcase over the Salon table.   Worth thumbing through.
Watch an early Youtube Video of her early years

Since then her she's weathered thousands of sea miles, ranging from the Caribbean to the St. Lawrence River. She's educated hundreds and hundreds of South Carolina youth, and trained her fair share of deckhands. Ports from Havana to Quebec City all know her, and she's been skippered by and crewed by some of the best in the Tall Ship World.  As  her Volunteers we've been given the privilege and responsibility to take care of her, and see her successfully on to her next anniversary.  Here's to us all celebrating that one together! 

A special thanks to Sherry Bayne for providing her photo.