More about the sailing ship Leeuwin
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (385076)
Rockingham, Australia
July 18, 2026 8:37pm CST
Here is another photo from the training sailing ship, Leeuwin. Leeuwin is Dutch for lioness and it’s an 1850’s style barquentine rigging with three masts. The foremast is square-rigged if that mean anything to you. It was built for training purposes with the focus on youth development. Below decks the facilities are modern. Vince was very impressed with the huge oven.
The ship is 55 metres long but the deck is only 40 metres. The main mast is 33 metres above deck and the aim of many of the young sailors is to climb to the top. Forty young people between the ages of 14 and 25 are taken on board for a week at a time. There are five permanent crew and ten volunteer crew. Sails are used for most of the time with the engines only used for emergencies or getting in and out of the harbour.
I’ll add more photos in the comments.
10 people like this
8 responses
@snowy22315 (210888)
• United States
19 Jul
That's enmourous. I really wanted to see the tall ships when they came to Richmond, but it was so hot then!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (210888)
• United States
21h
@JudyEv It was part of the special events that were happening for America's 250 th celebration.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (385076)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
@snowy22315 That's such a shame that you missed it but I wouldn't want to go when the weather is so hot.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (44490)
• Denver, Colorado
19 Jul
Honestly, foremast means nothing to me. I gave up trying to find a square-rigged foremast in the photo. 
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (44490)
• Denver, Colorado
21h
@JudyEv - I would make a lousy sailor.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (87800)
• United States
19 Jul
Wow, that’s something! There’s a big difference in the kind of sailor I was and the kind of sailor who operates one of those things. When I took the Key West cruise on the America II the captain let anyone who wanted to steer the boat, and of course I wanted to! That was something else, having to look out on the horizon that doesn’t have any center lines or traffic signs to guide you.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (137632)
• Marion, Ohio
22h
They are brave at that age. I won't be climbing it
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (137632)
• Marion, Ohio
14h
@JudyEv I am surprised they are letting the minors do it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (385076)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
@wolfgirl569 They'd be doing it under trained supervision.
@JudyEv (385076)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
It is indeed. It must look lovely with all the sails up.
