Zodiac (schooner)

Infobox_nrhp | name =ZODIAC (schooner)
nrhp_type =

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caption = The "Zodiac" motoring east along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, just east of the Ballard Bridge, Seattle, Washington
location= Seattle, WA
lat_degrees = 47 | lat_minutes = 37 | lat_seconds = 56.48 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 122 | long_minutes = 19 | long_seconds = 38.15 | long_direction = W
area =
built =1924
architect= William Hand, Jr.
architecture=
added = April 29, 1982
governing_body = Private
refnum=82004248 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The "Zodiac" is a two-masted schooner designed by William H. Hand, Jr. for the heirs to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceuticals fortune. Hand intended to epitomize the best features of the American fishing schooner. The 160 foot long (sparred length; 127 feet on deck), 145-ton vessel competed in transatlantic races before being sold to the San Francisco Bar Pilots during the Great Depression. Renamed "California", she served actively as a pilot boat before being retired in 1972. This makes her one of the last two sail-powered pilot vessels in the United States, along with the Boston-based schooner "Roseway", which was retired sometime between 1971 and 1973. [ [http://www.worldoceanschool.org/roseway_history.htm "History of The Roseway" on the website "www.worldoceanschool.org"] (retrieved 18 March 2008)] [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=VNsGi3nmuaQC&pg=PA240&lpg=PA240&dq=zodiac+pilot-schooner&source=web&ots=tqR3Rmr2sv&sig=D4eG08-n2m8WlNo7O7R9oAvFqOg&hl=en#PPA137,M1 Tom Cunliffe & Adrian Osler (2001). "Pilots. The World of Pilotage under Sail and Oar. Vol. 1. Pilot Schooners of North America and Great Britain." Wooden Boat Publications.] ISBN 978-0937822692 (p. 137)] .

"Zodiac" was sold in 1973 and, in the late 1970s, the private Vessel Zodiac Corporation was formed to operate and maintain her. She was professionally restored, and her rig, which had been altered during her time as a pilot boat, was returned to its original configuration. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=VNsGi3nmuaQC&pg=PA240&lpg=PA240&dq=zodiac+pilot-schooner&source=web&ots=tqR3Rmr2sv&sig=D4eG08-n2m8WlNo7O7R9oAvFqOg&hl=en#PPA137,M1 Tom Cunliffe & Adrian Osler (2001). "Pilots. The World of Pilotage under Sail and Oar. Vol. 1. Pilot Schooners of North America and Great Britain." Wooden Boat Publications.] ISBN 978-0937822692 (p. 240)] The "Zodiac" now operates for charter in Washington State's San Juan Islands and British Columbia's Gulf Islands. The not-for-profit Northwest Schooner Society partners with the corporation to provide sail training programs for youth and adults, including yearly Elderhostel trips. Through partnership with Starsail Cruises the schooner also offers sail training cruises to the general public.

Currently, the "Zodiac" splits her time between Bellingham and Seattle when not cruising. She is both on the National Register of Historic Places and listed on the Washington State Historic Register.

ee also

*Historic preservation
*National Register of Historic Places

References

External links

* [http://www.schoonerzodiac.com Vessel Zodiac Corporation]
* [http://www.nwschooner.org Northwest Schooner Society]
* [http://www.maritimeheritage.net Maritime Heritage Network]
* [http://starsailcruises.com Starsail Cruises]