Great Lakes Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan returns for Keweenaw cruises June 27-30

The S/V Denis Sullivan travels over 18,000 nautical miles a year from her summer home at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee, along the east coast to her winter home in Southern Florida. Here she heads up the Portage from Hancock in 2005. (Photo © Roland Burgan. Reprinted with permission.)

HOUGHTON -- The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) will host the Great Lakes Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan when it returns to the Keweenaw Peninsula later this month for two events: Portage Lake Daysails of 2-3 hours on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, and a two-day Lake Superior Expedition Monday, June 29, through Tuesday, June 30.

Daysails to cruise the Portage from Houghton

Wisconsin's flagship, the S/V Denis Sullivan, is the world’s only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner. Once the lines are cast off, the crew will explain the construction of this tall ship and share stories about Great Lakes maritime history. These Keweenaw Land Trust fundraising Daysail events will depart from the Houghton waterfront at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on both Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28.

The Daysail cost is $50 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under.

Early bird special: All tickets purchased by June 22 receive a $5 discount. Additional group discounts are also available: Treat your group of four or more people in your family, company or organization to a Daysail and save an additional $5 per ticket.

To find out more or reserve tickets for the Portage Lake Daysails, call the Keweenaw Land Trust at 906-482-0820 or email info@keweenawlandtrust.org.

Two-day Lake Superior Expedition: "Sail Away from Bay to Bay"

This year’s tall ship expedition is now within reach of more people and more wallets. The original 2009 program was planned before the economy hit some rough seas. A course correction was in order so KLT, working with Michigan Tech University, created an intensive but affordable two-day expedition to Keweenaw Bay, Huron Bay and Bete Grise Bay. It will start and end in Houghton.

Participants in the 2005 research trip, also sponsored by the Keweenaw Land Trust and MTU, prepare for a hands-on experience on the Great Lakes Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan. (Photo © Roland Burgan. Reprinted with permission.)

For educators looking for a Continuing Education opportunity, Michigan Tech University offers one credit for an additional fee. This is not a pleasure cruise but a hands-on experience where participants will learn the rigging and traditional sailing techniques of a three-masted Great Lakes schooner and USCG certified sailing school vessel. Everyone raises sail and takes a turn at the wheel! This adventure will take the S/V Denis Sullivan past several of the region’s historic lighthouses, the backdrop for learning about Lake Superior’s maritime history and aquatic ecology -- the Keweenaw’s past, present and future.

The three-masted S/V Denis Sullivan has traditional rigging. Participants in the Expedition learn traditional sailing techniques and explore land and water conservation. Here the Schooner makes its way up the Portage from Hancock in 2005. (Photo © Roland Burgan. Reprinted with permission.)

Participants will be challenged to work aboard the traditionally rigged Great Lakes Schooner, S/V Denis Sullivan while exploring important links between land and water conservation. Lake Superior has a special place in the hearts of those who live on the Great Lakes and want to keep her waters clean and protected. The health of Lake Superior, and all of the Great Lakes, depends on careful and appropriate management of the surrounding lands.

Learn about and participate in all ship’s operations while investigating the different features of terrestrial and lake ecology. Explore the positive impacts of conservation and study history and culture through a maritime lens.

The Expedition cost is $400/person, plus $125 for MTU tuition/registration if participating for credit. The limit is 15 participants so register now!

To register for the expedition contact Jeff Phillips: 414-765-8641, jphillips@discoveryworld.org

For more info on the S/V Denis Sullivan click here.

To learn more about the Keweenaw Land Trust, visit their Web Site.