The "Wyoming" a wooden six-masted schooner, was the largest wooden schooner ever built. She was the last of ten such schooners built, and indeed was the last six-mast schooner built on the east coast of the US. Many of these schooners were lost due to their inability to claw to windward off a lee shore under adverse weather conditions.

Andrew Grant
Senior Curator, Transport
June 2011

Researched by Rob Mayrick, Museum Volunteer

Model made by Neil Fleming, 1975.

The "Wyoming" was a wooden six-masted fore and aft schooner, the largest wooden schooner ever built. There were 10 six-masted schooners built between 1900 and 1909. She was built in 1909 by Percy and Small in Bath, Maine and was the last six-master built on the east coast of the US.

Between 1781 and 1892, 1352 schooners were launched from shipyards in the New England area. During the 19th century, there were at least twelve shipyards working in that region.

These schooners were designed to carry cargo more economically than the fast clipper ships. The "Wyoming" was able to carry 6000 tons of cargo but needed only twelve crew. Sadly, most of these schooners were wrecked on the US east coast due to their inability to claw seaward off the land during adverse weather conditions.

The "Wyoming" traded for fifteen years. In March 1924, headed from Norfolk to New Brunswick with a cargo of coal, she foundered with the loss of all hands in Pollock Rip, the narrow channel between Nantucket and Cape Cod.

Ship model, miniature waterline model in a bottle, "Wyoming" of 1909, six-masted schooner, complete with masts, full running, standard rigging, full suit of sails, Neil Fleming, Australia, c. 1975

Deck details include anchors, belaying rails, hatches, deckhouse, and ship's boat at stern. Finished in grey with cream sails. Mounted on painted carved seascape inside a John Walker and Sons Ltd. whisky bottle, with cork stopper. The bottle is mounted on two wooden supports, and the stopper is decorated with white string and an anchor motif. Neil Fleming, Australia, c. 1975 (OF).

Made: 1970 - 1980

Oval sticker on neck of bottle : WOODEN / 6 MAST SCHOONER / 329.5 X 50.1 X 30.4 / "WYOMING / blt.1909

B2347

1970 - 1980

95 mm

90 mm