The Lynx, an 1812 privateer schooner, remains docked at the Humphrey's Restaurant boat dock in Antioch on Thursday afternoon after making a voyage from Rio Vista. The Lynx sets sail with classes and training tours all over the West Coast of the United States. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

On board the Lynx

Ship takes travelers back in time on local waterways

RIO VISTA — The flags of the sailing ship Lynx flapped in Thursday morning's heavy northward wind as 10 passengers boarded the 1812 replica schooner.

A nine man crew was already on board the smooth wood plank deck, including Craig Chipman, the ship's captain. Once everyone was aboard, the ship set sail for Antioch. The day's cruise was part of the ship's current mission to educate people about American maritime history.

The original Lynx was built by Thomas Kemp, a shipbuilder from Fell's Point, Md., in 1812. During the War of 1812, American "privateers" such as the Lynx were private ships that had been chartered by the U.S. government to capture or destroy British shipping.

Shipbuilders in Maine used basic plans of the Lynx to create the modern interpretation of the ship. The new ship boasts a length of 122 feet, which is about 15 percent smaller than the original, according to the crew, to meet modern Coast Guard regulations.

The ship sets sail with classes and training tours all over the West Coast of the United States and even travels to Hawaii.

Those who voyaged with the Lynx on Thursday, however, never had a chance to see the ship's sails unfurled, as the wind wouldn't cooperate and the crew had to use the Lynx's motors to travel upriver.

Before the Lynx began its turn eastward up the San Joaquin River from the Sacramento River, white-capped waves began to form. The rough movement of the Delta reminded all aboard that the passengers' feet were no longer set on land and that the open water has a mind of its own.

"Being on the water is like breathing," said Sasha Schoenneman, a volunteer crew member.

According to first mate Bhodi Sheridan, a combination of several factors including the outgoing tide, the wind and the convergence of two rivers caused the swells. The ship made a wide left turn near the entrance of the San Joaquin River and the ship was safely into a calm and narrow canal.

After the ship passed several large industrial plants off the starboard, or right side of the ship, it docked near Humphrey's restaurant in Antioch. Soft-spoken Capt. Chipman yelled out several loud sailing terms and the crew scurried for ropes and buoys. Second Mate and Engineer Jeremiah Gempler hopped into a small motorized craft hanging off the back of the ship and headed for the dock.

After the crew had tightened and tied off the ropes to large cement pillars on the dock, First Mate Sheridan yelled "That's well!" and the day's voyage was complete.

For more information on the Lynx and its tours, visit http://www.privateerlynx.org or call (866) 446-5969.

All photos by Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel