Friends Good Will
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States of America | |
| Name | Friends Good Will |
| Builder | John Scarano, Albany, NY |
| Laid down | 2004 |
| Launched | August 29, 2004 |
| Status | In service |
| Notes | Reproduction of an sloop bearing the same name that was involved in the War of 1812. |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | square topsail sloop |
| Displacement | 150,000 lbs |
| Length | list error: <br /> list (help) 101 ft (31 m) (sparred length) 56.42 ft (17.20 m) (length on deck) |
| Beam | 16.83 ft (5.13 m) |
| Draft | 8.75 ft (2.67 m) |
| Propulsion | 165 Hp Yanmar diesel engine |
| Sail plan | 3,180 square feet, (Main, staysail, 2 jibs, square topsail) |
| Complement | Crew: 7, Passengers: 28. |
| Armament | 9 pound pivot gun. |
| Notes | Laminate wood planks over frame. |
The Friends Good Will is a working American reproduction of the historical Friends Good Will (1811-1813), a merchant square topsail sloop that was overtaken by the events of the War of 1812. Captured by a British ruse of war shortly after the capture of Fort Mackinac, she was armed with a nine pound pivot gun and two six pound guns and renamed the HMS Little Belt. Recaptured during the Battle of Lake Erie, she served in the US Navy before she was destroyed by enemy action in 1813.
The current vessels sails out of South Haven, Michigan at the Michigan Maritime Museum, where she brings the area's history to life through educational tours, day sails, and school field trips. She can also be found visiting ports throughout the Great Lakes for maritime festivals and American Sail Training Association races.
During the harsh Michigan winters, the Friends Good Will remains at the Michigan Maritime Museum. Her lines, spars, and sails are removed each October during the downrigging process, and inspected, repaired and/or replaced during ongoing winter maintenance by the volunteers of the Ship's Company. The following April, the Ship's Company removes the vessel's cover and performs her uprigging over the course of two weekends.
The USS Providence (1775), John Paul Jones' first command as a Captain, was a similar square topsail sloop.
See Also
- HMS Little Belt (1812)
- War of 1812
- Tall ship
- Topsail
- Tall Ships Challenge
- American Sail Training Association
References
Michigan Maritime Museum homepage
Friends Good Will history page
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