Building the historic ship
PILGRIM III
A re-creation of the 1825 Brig PILGRIM as featured in “Two Years Before the Mast” by Richard Henry Dana Jr.
The Purpose for Building the Brig PILGRIM III
The PILGRIM III FOUNDATION was created with the primary purpose to promote and fund the design, engineering and construction of a re-creation of the original ship PILGRIM; a ship of significance in early California and United States history
PILGRIM III, as will be built by PILGRIM III CONSTRUCTION LLC, will be a replica of the brig-rigged ship PILGRIM of Boston, built by Sprague and James of Medford Massachusetts, launched 1825 and introduced to the public in the classic publication ‘Two Years Before the Mast’ by Richard Henry Dana. PILGRIM III will be authentic to period details, updated to suit modern requirements of US Coast Guard Certification of Inspection for Sailing School Vessels and making use of modern construction technologies and techniques to ensure performance, safety, longevity and perform its primary purpose as an educational and historical reference platform.
Per the FOUNDATION’s current vision, the vessel construction will offer possibilities for community involvement in the process, educational opportunities in the art and craft of period ship design and construction and ultimately the vessel will be tasked with youth maritime educational opportunities, public sailing adventures and public display to illuminate aspects of California history in the formative years pre-statehood. The original Brig PILGRIM and the story of this class of vessel represent a unique period in the development of the United States of America and the west coast region that would eventually become the State of California. The addition of the Brig PILGRIM III will become a significant member of the State’s fleet of historic ships.
To properly satisfy the vision of re-creation of an historic ship, the project must address six distinct but collective elements:
Study of US Maritime History
The year 1825, when PILGRIM was launched, was an incredible time of expansion for the young United States shipbuilding industry as well as overall expansion of worldwide maritime trade. Join the PIII project to learn more about this dynamic time in history.
Designing a Historic Ship
While the historical record dictates what the ship will look like, how it was built and how it should operate, the design and engineering of the re-creation will be a blend of the traditional shipbuilding methodology and modern naval architecture. Join the PIII project in this journey of technology and technique development.
Setting Up a Shipyard
Naturally building an object as large and massive as a traditional ship requires an open space large enough to accommodate the growing workpiece as well as plenty of space for logistical access, materials forming and handling, equipment assembly and installation and the myriad other details that go into producing a ship. And, of course, access to the sea at the end of construction is a must! Join the PIII project in this complex dance as we progress from raw materials to completed ship.
Collecting the Human Resources
It takes talent, expertise and artistry that can only be provided by human hands and minds to build a 'right-proper' historic ship. Obviously the old wisdom, around when the original PILGRIM was built, is long gone. But the interest and will to learn the needed skills to construct a ship is hard-wired into all of us that follow things related to the sea and fortunatley there are still a few of us around that have taken the time to learn them. Join the PIII build team and participate at a skilled level, a helper level or as a volunteer and develop your skills with us in the fascinating journey of building an historic ship.
Collecting the Construction Materials
The ship, a collection of sticks sailing in close formation, will be formed of a variety of wood species, each chosen for it's particular strength and weight characteristics in relation to it's position and function in the ship. Sourcing of these materials will be western hemisphere; north, central and south Americas and will include such as: Purpleheart, Wana, Sapele, Southern Live Oak, Douglas Fir, Western Cedar, Hackmatack and Black Locust. The shipyard logistics in handling , forming and installing very large timbers in the growing structure is almost an art form in itself. Join our PIII build team in learning about these woods and their specific applications in the ship.
Funding the Project
As opposed to it's early 19th century Yankee entrepreneurial roots, the modern PILGRIM III project will be funded through the auspices of a not-for-profit foundation. The PILGRIM III FOUNDATION was formed specifically to fund the design, engineering, construction and eventual operation of the ship - utilizing BITCOIN as the main medium of exchange. The BITCOIN financial world offers a vibrant and intriguing means of providing the resources for goods and services development in relation to the construction of the ship - join the PIII project and help us explore all the possibilities inherent in utilizing this medium for construction of the ship.
PILGRIM III CONSTRUCTION LLC
The Loft at Driscoll Boat Works
2500 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, California, 92106
+1 (619) 223 3600
THE SHIPYARD SITE
Driscoll Mission Bay Boat Yard & Marina
1500 Quivira Way
San Diego, California, 92109
+1 (619) 752 2701