The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: Stories of the Six and Seven-Masted Coal Schooners of New England

At the height of the "Golden Age of Sail" in the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders fiercely competed to design and construct the world's largest sailing ships to carry massive amounts of coal and building materials as America expanded. Ten original six-masted schooners and the only seven-masted sailing ship, the giant Thomas W. Lawson, were built in New England between 1900-1909, all measuring over the length of a football field! This book brings to life the many challenges these magnificent vessels faced during their voyages in an era of social, economic, and political reforms. It provides the historical accounts that followed each ship, like competitions, accidents, battling devastating storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages. These true stories are balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, famous paintings, and colorful maps, making this an excellent resource for anyone interested in New England maritime history.