STURGEON BAY — Four spectacular Tall Ships will make their dramatic return to Sturgeon Bay this summer for the first time since 2019.

The event, from July 31 – Aug. 3, 2025, will bring four vessels: the Liberty Clipper, Pride of Baltimore II, Utopia, and When and If, according to a news release from Destination Sturgeon Bay.

Each Ship has its own unique story from historic voyages to missions of peace and exploration.

Visitors will have the chance to see these majestic vessels up close, learn their history, and even purchase a ticket to experience a rare sail away on these incredible ships. Tickets will be available in April.

The Liberty Clipper is a replica of the mid-19th century Baltimore Clippers famous for their fast passages round Cape Horn on their way to California and other Pacific ports. The Liberty Clipper operates in Boston Harbor during the Summer, transits down the East Coast in the fall and Nassau, the Bahamas during the winter. In Boston, Liberty Clipper is available for charter on day and evening cruises for up to 95 passengers. Her spacious decks and on-board hospitality create an ambiance under sail that will meet the expectations of the most discriminating clients. In addition to a variety of high quality charter opportunities, during the summer months, she offers the Liberty Classroom program for Boston area youth groups, a sail training and harbor education program designed to give trainees an introduction to essential topics in seamanship, safety, and Boston’s maritime history. For those interested in extended trips, Liberty Clipper offers  6-day Windjammer cruises in the Bahamas where pricing includes a berth and excellent food prepared by the ship’s chef.Pride of Baltimore II

Pride of Baltimore II is a topsail schooner built to the lines of an 1812-era Baltimore Clipper. She is Maryland’s working symbol of the great natural resources and spectacular beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region and a reminder of America’s rich maritime heritage. Pride of Baltimore II’s mission is to educate the public on Maryland’s maritime history, tradition and commerce opportunities.

Pride of Baltimore II is available for charter and for dockside and sailing receptions in each of her destinations as well as public day sails. She can accommodate up to six paying passengers as “working guest crew” between ports of call. Pride of Baltimore II maintains an international sailing schedule. She sails with two rotating professional captains and a crew of eleven. Crew positions are open to qualified men and women sailors.

Pride of Baltimore II is operated by the 501(c)(3) non profit organization Pride of Baltimore, Inc.Utopia

The historic Great Lakes schooner Utopia, built in 1946, offers a fascinating glimpse into maritime history.

Dockside visitors in Manitowoc, Wisconsin can explore this beautifully crafted vessel, which was designed by Fred J. Peterson of Peterson Builders, Inc. in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and built in 1946. Utopia’s unique features include a steel double bottom for strength, wooden hull sides for warmth, and twin Detroit diesel engines. Visitors can marvel at her elegant lines, learn about her global circumnavigation, and appreciate the craftsmanship that has kept her sailing for decades. Utopia currently resides under the stewardship of the her new owners based in Manitowoc Wisconsin, where it continues to inspire curiosity and passion for the Great Lakes among learners of all ages.

Utopia’s maiden voyage took her from the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence River, across the North Atlantic to Spain via the Azores. After cruising the Mediterranean and exploring the Canary Islands, she returned to the Great Lakes. Utopia’s rich history includes competing in Chicago to Mackinac races and serving as a goodwill ambassador. Today, Utopia continues to inspire a love for the Great Lakes among people of all ages. Whether you’re a maritime enthusiast or simply curious about seafaring adventures, a visit to Utopia promises an unforgettable connection to the past and the beauty of the open waterWhen and If

When and If is an 83’ Alden schooner, commissioned by General George S. Patton in 1939. Her name is attributed to the quote, “When the war is over, and if I live through it, [my wife] Bea and I are going to sail her around the world.” With General Patton’s death in December of 1945, it was unlikely that When & If would ever fulfill her original purpose. But in 2012, Doug Hazlitt (known for his complete restoration of another historic Alden schooner) purchased the vessel with the mission to restore her to her former glory. With enough support and sponsorship, the Captain and crew intend to make General Patton’s dream for his sailboat come true. As Patton’s will requested, they plan to repurpose the vessel for sail training and education by taking on apprentices along their journey and donating a portion of their proceeds to a sailing scholarship program.

For more fascinating information about Tall Ships please visit Tall Ships America’s website: https://tallshipsamerica.org/