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Zodiac (schooner)
Encyclopedia
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 feet (48.8 m) (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 three sail-powered pilot vessels in the United States, along with the Boston-based schooner Roseway
, which was retired sometime between 1971 and 1973,, and Adventuress, also once a San Francisco pilot boat, which was retired in 1952, and is also a registered National Historic Landmark
.
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. 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. The schooner also offers sail training cruises to local area High Schools and 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.
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
designed by William H. Hand, Jr. for the heirs to the Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
pharmaceuticals fortune. Hand intended to epitomize the best features of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fishing schooner. The 160 feet (48.8 m) (sparred length; 127 feet on deck), 145-ton vessel competed in transatlantic races before being sold to the San Francisco Bar Pilots
Maritime pilot
A pilot is a mariner who guides ships through dangerous or congested waters, such as harbours or river mouths. With the exception of the Panama Canal, the pilot is only an advisor, as the captain remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel....
during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Renamed California, she served actively as a pilot boat
Pilot boat
A Pilot Boat is a type of boat used to transport pilots between land and the inbound or outbound ships that they are piloting.-History:The origins of the word pilot probably disseminates from the Latin word pilota, a variation of pedota, the plural of pēdón which translates as oar...
before being retired in 1972. This makes her one of the last three sail-powered pilot vessels in the United States, along with the Boston-based schooner Roseway
Roseway (schooner)
The Roseway is a wooden gaff-rigged schooner launched on November 24, 1925 in Essex, Massachusetts. She is now restored and listed as a National Historic Landmark....
, which was retired sometime between 1971 and 1973,, and Adventuress, also once a San Francisco pilot boat, which was retired in 1952, and is also a registered National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
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. The Zodiac now operates for charter in Washington State's San Juan Islands
San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the northwest corner of the contiguous United States between the US mainland and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The San Juan Islands are part of the U.S...
and British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
's Gulf Islands
Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are the islands in the Strait of Georgia , between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada....
. The not-for-profit Northwest Schooner Society partners with the corporation to provide sail training
Sail training
From its modern interpretations to its antecedents when maritime nations would send young naval officer candidates to sea , sail training provides an unconventional and effective way of building many useful skills on and off the water....
programs for youth and adults, including yearly Elderhostel
Elderhostel
Elderhostel is a not-for-profit organization established in 1975 that allows senior citizens to travel and take educational programs in the United States and around the world...
trips. The schooner also offers sail training cruises to local area High Schools and the general public.
Currently, the Zodiac splits her time between Bellingham
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
and Seattle when not cruising. She is both on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and listed on the Washington State Historic Register.
See also
- Historic preservationHistoric preservationHistoric preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
- National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
- List of schooners