In the Summer of 2014, the schooner Virginia ended her season early. The Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation which operated the schooner announced that she would be put up for sale. Now, Nauticus, a maritime-themed science center and museum located on the downtown waterfront in Norfolk, Virginia, is planning to buy the schooner with funds from a $1 million state grant. $850,000 will go to purchase the schooner, with the remained used for maintenacne and upkeep.
The schooner Virginia is a reproduction of the last all sail pilot vessel built for the Virginia Pilot Association. She is 114′ on deck and sets 6,538 square feet of sail. The original ship sailed for the pilots from 1917-1926, training apprentice pilots in seamanship and navigation. The reproduction was built in Norfolk between 2002-2004. The Nauticus Foundation plans to use the schooner as part of Sail Nauticus, a program that gives underprivileged children around Hampton Roads access to the water.
As of yesterday afternoon this was not a done deal. The Norfolk City Council had to approve Nauticus receiving the grant – and they met last night.
Thanks for the update.
It looks like things are moving forward.
Norfolk council OKs plan for Nauticus to buy schooner Virginia