Adventuress (schooner)

The Adventuress is a historic schooner built in 1913. She was originally designed as a pilot boat for the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association, guiding ships through the treacherous waters at the entrance to San Francisco Bay. Designed by B.B. Crowninshield and built by the Rice Brothers Corporation in East Boothbay, Maine, she is considered one of the finest examples of a traditional pilot schooner.

After serving as a pilot boat until 1952, the Adventuress was acquired by Seattle businessman, L.E. “Ted” Strom. He repurposed her as a world-class sailing vessel, adding auxiliary power and modern conveniences. In 1962, she was sold to the nonprofit organization, Seattle’s Camp Fire, and began a long career as a sail training vessel for youth and adults in the Puget Sound region.

The Adventuress is a gaff-rigged schooner, characterized by her two masts and fore-and-aft sails. She is 133 feet in length overall and has a beam of 26 feet. Her hull is constructed of steel.

Today, the Adventuress is owned and operated by Sound Experience, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing environmental education and sail training programs. She continues to sail the waters of Puget Sound, offering educational opportunities to students, adults, and the general public, preserving maritime heritage, and promoting environmental stewardship. She is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.