Federalist: World's Smallest Fully-Rigged Ship

At four am this morning I stumbled over the world's smallest fully-rigged ship, the Federalist. Sadly, I do not have pictures because I wasn't expecting to encounter a ship in the middle of the BWI Airport's passenger terminal. I have learned my lesson and will never be camera-less again.

The Federalist is a fifteen foot long replica of the original Federalist, itself also a fifteen foot long ship. The second Federalist was built in 1988 with private money and later donated to the state of Maryland. It celebrates the 200th anniversary of Maryland ratifying the Constitution.

The original Federalist was built in 1788 by residents of Baltimore to celebrate Maryland becoming the seventh state to ratify the Constitution, for which reason it has seven sails. (Only one headsail.) It was mounted on wheels and paraded through the city. It wound up parked on what at the time was called John Smith's Hill, but the site has been known ever since as 'Federal Hill.'

The original Federalist was then launched and sailed to Mt. Vernon where it was given to George Washington as a gift. Sadly, it was destroyed in a hurricane a mere six weeks later.

I found a picture of it online: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1D7niXVYUd8/Sm3Ly4uS0BI/AAAAAAAAIYw/M9e6F4fRTpc/s400/DSC09317.JPG

I don't believe it sails anymore, but it's in excellent shape. All the rigging appears to be intact and functional, so it I'm pretty sure it could sail if anyone tried it.

~K~

Heres the image direct.