Delaware's Tall Ship, The Kalmar Nyckel - Wilmington, Delaware

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Delaware's Tall Ship, The Kalmar Nyckel - Wilmington, Delaware

The original Kalmar Nyckel was a ship that sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638 leaving its passengers to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley, the Colony of New Sweden in what is now Wilmington.

This Kalmar Nyckel had a place in our history but the story has rarely been told, people always learn about the Mayflower.

The Kalmar Nyckel made a total of four roundtrip crossings of the Atlantic – more than any other ship of the era.

The first permanent settlement was established with 24 people of Swedish, Finnish, German and Dutch descent.  Joining them was a black freedman who sailed from the Caribbean aboard her companion ship the Fogel Grip.

The “New” Kalmar Nyckel is owned and operated by the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation which offers people a variety of sea and land based learning and recreational experiences.

The ships hull is divided into five watertight compartments.  Four of the five compartments are accessible through three watertight doors placed in the bulkheads between the compartments.  All doors are kept closed while the ship is underway.

There are 32 berths for the crew plus the Captain’s Cabin.  There are four waterclosets, one shower (rain lockers), three hot water heaters, three gray water sumps, and a washer/dryer stack.  There is dining for fourteen in the Saloon.  Some of the great improvements to the conditions that the original sailors had to experience!

There are eight square sails that provide the horsepower that makes the boat move.  They are also used for maneuvering.  Even though the sails are rectangular or even trapezoidal, they are called squares because they are set square across the keel of the ship.

There are public sails that you can go on, you will need to check your dates and see if the ship is sailing at that time.  You can check by calling the office at 301-429-7447 or toll free at 866-659-7447.  You can also book at private charter sail, call the same numbers to arrange the trip.  If the weather doesn’t cooperate the sailing may be postponed or cancelled.

Cost: Adults for a public tour: $35 and ages 17 and younger is $20.

Time: The sail is approximately 1 ½ hours.

There are also school activities available because the foundation offers a classroom-without-walls.  A variety of interactive and exciting learning experiences are available to both public and private schools, community groups, nautical and historical organizations. 

You will sail on the Christina River for 1.5 hours or 2.5 hour sails out of Lewes, Delaware, specifically designed for students.

There are also tours of the shipyard alone or with the ship when it is docked.  A tour of the shipyard includes the working sail loft/museum, blacksmith shop, block and tackle demonstration and New Sweden Center Museum. 

For more information on any of the educational offerings or to plan to come contact the director at education@kalmarnyckle.org or phone 302-429-7447.