Meet the Majestic Tall Ships Sailing Into Door County This Summer

Discover the Rich History of the Vessels You’ll See on Our Exclusive Tall Ship Photography Tours, July 31–August 3, 2025

Every few years, Door County welcomes something truly spectacular to its shores: a gathering of historic Tall Ships sailing proudly across the waters of Sturgeon Bay. For a limited time this summer, you can follow and photograph these awe-inspiring vessels from the comfort of a Shoreline Boat Tours narrated cruise. But before you grab your camera, let’s get to know the four ships making their way here in 2025—each with a story as powerful as the wind in its sails.

Pride of Baltimore II

Launched: 1988

Type: Reproduction of a 19th-century Baltimore Clipper

Home Port: Baltimore, Maryland

The Pride of Baltimore II isn’t just a ship—it’s a tribute to the spirit and resilience of early American sailing. Modeled after the fast, agile schooners known as Baltimore Clippers, she represents the types of vessels that played a vital role during the War of 1812. These ships were renowned for their speed and maneuverability, often used as privateers to disrupt British trade and supply lines.

Built in the wake of tragedy, Pride II was commissioned after the original Pride of Baltimore was lost at sea in 1986 along with four crew members. Her construction was a testament to the city’s deep connection to maritime history, and she launched in 1988 as both a memorial and an ambassador. Since then, Pride II has sailed more than 250,000 nautical miles, visiting over 200 ports in 40 countries, from Europe and Asia to the Caribbean and both American coasts.

Every inch of her—from the raked masts to the sharp hull lines—is designed to evoke the grace and power of the clippers that came before her. Below deck, she’s equipped with modern safety and navigation systems, but on the water, she’s all about authenticity and education.

Today, Pride of Baltimore II continues to serve as a floating classroom and goodwill ambassador, telling the story of America’s early maritime legacy to tens of thousands of visitors each year. When she enters Sturgeon Bay this summer, she’ll bring not just striking visuals, but a living connection to the past.

📸 Don’t Miss: Her raked masts and dramatic sails look especially striking from a side angle as she cuts through the bay—an unforgettable photo opportunity!

When and If

Launched: 1939

Type: Staysail Schooner, 63 ft

Home Port: Key West, Florida

Of all the tall ships visiting Door County this summer, few carry a story as personal—and poignant—as When and If. She was commissioned in 1939 by none other than General George S. Patton, one of the most iconic and complex military leaders in American history. Patton famously declared, “When the war is over, and if I live through it, I’m going to sail her around the world.” The name When and If was born from that hope—a quiet, personal dream set against the backdrop of impending war.

Designed by renowned naval architect John Alden, the schooner was built for both performance and comfort. With clean, traditional lines and solid mahogany joinery, she was meant to be fast, seaworthy, and beautiful—an ideal vessel for long-range cruising. Unfortunately, Patton died in a car accident in 1945, just months after World War II ended, and his dream voyage never came to pass.

In the decades that followed, When and If changed hands several times, serving various roles from private yacht to educational vessel. In 1990, she was badly damaged in a hurricane while anchored in New York. Many thought it was the end—but like her original owner, When and If had no intention of giving up.

Painstakingly restored over several years, she returned to the water as stunning as ever, with her original character lovingly preserved. Today, she sails out of Key West and spends her summers attending tall ship festivals and public sailing events, continuing to inspire new generations with her story of resilience, craftsmanship, and quiet ambition.

📸 Don’t Miss: The rich woodwork, polished brass, and traditional lines are a dream for detail shots—try photographing her from the bow or capturing her under sail for a timeless look.

Liberty Clipper

Launched: 1983

Type: Gaff-Rigged Schooner, 125 ft

Home Port: Boston, Massachusetts

Towering above the harbor with bold lines and billowing sails, the Liberty Clipper is a true icon of the tall ship world—and one of the largest vessels you’ll encounter during our Tall Ship Photography Tours. Built in 1983 as a faithful tribute to 19th-century American schooners, she was designed to embody the rugged workhorses of the Eastern Seaboard that once transported lumber, cargo, and saltfish up and down the Atlantic coast.

With a hull inspired by the famed Baltimore Clippers and a striking gaff rig—complete with a topsail and boom that stretch wide across the horizon—Liberty Clipper is built not just for show, but for power and endurance. Her construction combines traditional craftsmanship with modern safety standards, making her one of the rare schooners that still actively sails while offering overnight adventures, public cruises, and educational programs.

Throughout the year, she calls Boston Harbor home, offering visitors a hands-on sailing experience and a taste of maritime life in the age of sail. Her crew—dressed in classic nautical garb—hoist sails the old-fashioned way and share stories of seafaring history as they navigate the same waters once patrolled by privateers and merchantmen.

But in late July, Liberty Clipper will trade the Atlantic for the Great Lakes, making her way to Door County to join the Tall Ship fleet in Sturgeon Bay. This is a rare opportunity to see her in action—under full sail, close enough to photograph her dramatic rigging, powerful hull, and proud figurehead.

📸 Don’t Miss: Her large sail plan is spectacular to shoot wide, especially when contrasted with the shoreline. Look for opportunities to capture her from aft to bow as she glides past—she fills the frame in all the right ways.

Utopia

Launched: 1946

Type: Two‑masted staysail schooner, ~77 ft

Home Port: Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Graceful, understated, and rich with mid-century charm, the Utopia offers a refreshing contrast to the towering tall ships she sails alongside. Launched in 1946 by Fred J. Peterson in Sturgeon Bay, she was one of the last classically built Great Lakes schooners—a blend of wooden craftsmanship and steel strength.

Her early years included an ambitious Atlantic crossing and Mediterranean voyage, followed by a three-year global cruise that took her to ports as far as Tangiers, New Guinea, and beyond. Utopia has raced in the Chicago–Mackinac, served as a goodwill ambassador, and even became a floating classroom through the Inland Seas Education Association.

After a careful restoration, she returned to private ownership and now calls Manitowoc home—docking at the Riverside Marina beside the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. She remains a true gem of the Great Lakes sailing scene, a reminder that beauty doesn’t have to shout to be noticed.

📸 Don’t Miss: Her long, uninterrupted deck and classic staysail rig are ideal for minimalist shots—especially in early morning or golden hour light. Zoom in on her rigging or photograph her from the waterline for a truly artistic capture.

🚤 Experience Them Like Never Before

During our Tall Ship Photography Tours, you’ll cruise in the company of these incredible vessels—not as a passenger on board, but on a parallel course aboard our comfortable, stable tour boat. That means you get unobstructed views, excellent lighting, and the freedom to move around as you shoot. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a casual sightseer, it’s an unforgettable way to witness living history in motion.

📅 Book Now—Before They Sail Away

These ships will only be in town from July 31 to August 3, 2025, and seating is limited for all Shoreline Tall Ship tours, including our sunset cruises and the spectacular Parade of Sail.