Three-Masted Clipper ‘Stad Amsterdam’ Sails Under Golden Gate Bridge
Though the weather for stunning morning photos was uncooperative, today’s 7:30 a.m. arrival of the Stad Amsterdam was nonetheless impressive after its 25+ day voyage north from the Panama Canal. Stad Amsterdam is a 250-ft three-masted clipper, modeled after a 19th century clipper ship. Built in Amsterdam and launched in 2000 at the Damen Shipyards, she carries 23,500 square feet of sail area with 31 sails and a mainmast height of 153 feet. Impressive!
Call of the Sea’s schooner Seaward and the John A.B. Dillard ignored the early hour and the rain to meet the Stad Amsterdam outside the Gate and welcome her into the Bay.
Watching her entrance from the Marin Headlands, we imagined the 225-ft clipper ship Flying Cloud coming in under the Gate after her record-breaking 89-day, 21-hour sail around Cape Horn from New York to San Francisco in 1851. While the boats are of similar design and scale, the contrast in comfort is dramatic. Flying Cloud would not have had heated cabins, warm showers, auxiliary power, or warm fleece for the crew to wear on chilly (freezing-cold) days around the Horn. The long upwind sail from Cape Horn to San Francisco Bay is daunting on any modern, close-winded vessel, but on a square-rigged clipper ship it would require incredible patience and hard work.
The current record, set in 2013, is 47 days, set by Giovanni Soldini on the 70-ft monohull Maserati. For reference, the current holder of the Jules Verne trophy for the fastest circumnavigation is IDEC Sport, skippered by Francis Joyon: 40 days 23 hours 30 minutes 30 seconds.
The ship will be tied up at piers 30/32 in San Francisco between now and March 23 and will be open for tours on one day only, March 12. On the 23rd she’ll be sailing from San Francisco to Honolulu and then sailing onward from Honolulu to Tokyo. For the voyage from Honolulu to Tokyo, Pat Broderick will be trading in his wishbone-boomed, Wyliecat 30 Nancy for the square-rigged tall ship Stad Amsterdam.
P.S. Thanks to Seawood Photo in San Rafael for helping retrieve morning photos from the camera!
How could I have found out about the arrival in time to plan for it?
We know the world is a blur of information so it is hard to keep up with everything but we did announce the arrival of the Stad Amsterdam in ‘Lectronic Latitude on February 19: https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/2024/02/19/#stad-amsterdam-coming-march-6 Of course, since then, we’ve published about 30 more additional ‘Lectronic Latitude stories, three Good Jibes podcasts, launched the print edition of the magazine and posted lots of social media. Even if you only read Latitude 38 it would keep you busy. Surely, some people clutter their lives with other far less meaningful information so it’s easy to miss a few of the high-value stories available in Latitude 38. We’re going to hope it’s a sunnier day for her departure on March 23rd so everyone has another chance to escort her out and get some great photos.
I only just found out the night before via a friend who had been tracking it since about cabo
Love the photos and the telling of the history…amazing! Reshared 😃
Bay Area Marine Services hosts all international tall ships and is a good place to learn about a visit. Here is a link to that page on our website. https://bayareamarineservices.com/services/hosting-international-tall-ships/
What a shame that not one of her 31 sails was flying…
‘Tis 😞
She will, weather depending, sail out of the gate on 3/24, leaving her berth at Pier 30-32 and arriving at the bridge 10:45-11:00.Join us on the water as we salute her departure.
The name of the ship translates as “City of Amsterdam”
Do you have any more information about tours of the ship on March 12? Are they scheduled at any particular time, are reservations needed? Contact info?
Thanks!
Here’s what we understand to the the tour info: Stad Amsterdam will be open for public tours on March 12 from 10:00-4:00 am PST. Entrance is FREE with ID.
Only open for tours for one day? March 12, next Tuesday? And no sailing trips with passengers for day cruises. That’s a US thing. So, not much of a chance to see her.
Wish I had gotten out to see her, but many thanks for the report John !
Could you please let me know where we can have this tour, where is this ship (which port)?
The ship is in the Port of San Francisco south of the Bay Bridge.
Thanks John, Pier 31, 39?
This is the first time I am doing this and not so familiar, where exactly can I get access to the ship to see it, any particular address?
Pier 30/32. South of the Bay Bridge.
Hey everyone , here is a link to my company website about our partnership with Amsterdam and this ship. We will be hosting some events there next week for our customers and I would be happy to try to facilitate a tour for you if we can work it out. I’m not selling anything here , just excited to share the experience with people passionate about sailing. https://www.randstad.com/about-randstad/company-profile/partnerships/the-clipper/
What kind of event, I am very interetsed, please?
Amazing that latitude 38 continues to publish after all these years. It’s been a long time…
Thank you very much John!
Any idea at what time she is going to leave on the 23rd?
She will depart her berth at Pier 30-32 at 10:00 am on 3/24. Please consider sailing out in salute of her departure to the Golden Gate Bridge where we will see her off. Join us!
The website says the 23rd. Will they leave on Saturday the 23rd or Sunday the 24th?
Standby – we’re double-checking but believe departure is on the 24th.
Captain Sune Blinkenberg they are planning to depart at 10 a.m. on the 24th.
Thanks John! Planning to watch as the ship leaves so wanted to confirm the date.
STAD AMSTERDAM DEPARTURE
March 21, 2024
WHEN: Sunday, March 24, 2024
DEPARTURE TIME: 10 am, From Pier 30-32
WHERE: SAIL OUT from Pier 30-32 to Golden Gate Bridge
WHAT: Sail out from berth to Golden Gate Bridge. Please join with your boat!
Salute Stad Amsterdam as she sails for Honolulu and then Tokyo, continuing on her world tour.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Best from Pier 39, Ft Mason, Marina Green, Crissy Field, Point, Golden Gate Bridge
FOR MORE INFORMATION: StadAmsterdam.com. Learn about sail training opportunities and passenger trips by checking her itinerary.
Excited to see Stad Amsterdam leave tomorrow!!