Sailing ship — a vessel that uses sails and wind power as a significant means of propulsion. Sailing vessels have existed for thousands of years, from the ships of ancient civilizations to the enormous windjammers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the tradition continues with modern sailing cruise ships and giant sailing yachts.
1 Golden Horizon
— the world’s largest sailing ship, according to Guinness World Records. This five-masted barque is 162.22 meters long and has a gross tonnage of 8,770 tons. Originally built as the Flying Clipper for Star Clippers, the ship was completed in Croatia and later renamed Golden Horizon. Her 36 sails have a combined area of about 2,400 square meters, and she can carry up to 272 passengers.
2 Preussen
— a legendary German five-masted full-rigged ship launched in 1902. At 147 meters long, she was the largest sailing ship in the world at the time of her completion. The steel-hulled windjammer had a displacement of about 11,150 tons and an enormous sail area of approximately 6,800 square meters. Preussen was one of the famous Flying P-Liners operated by the German shipping company F. Laeisz.
3 France II
— a French five-masted barque launched in 1913. At approximately 146.5 meters, France II was one of the longest sailing ships ever built. She had a displacement of about 10,710 tons and was designed primarily as a cargo vessel. Unlike the purely sail-powered ships of earlier generations, France II was equipped with auxiliary engines.
4 R. C. Rickmers
— a German five-masted steel barque launched in 1906. She measured 146 meters in length and displaced roughly 10,500 tons. The ship was fitted with an auxiliary triple-expansion steam engine producing about 1,160 horsepower, allowing her to continue operating when wind conditions were unfavorable. In 1914 she was seized by Britain and renamed Neath before being sunk by a German submarine in 1917.
5 Thomas W. Lawson
— the largest and only seven-masted schooner ever built. Launched in 1902 in Quincy, Massachusetts, the steel-hulled Thomas W. Lawson was about 145 meters long. She was designed as a huge bulk cargo carrier rather than a luxury or passenger vessel. Her enormous size made her one of the most unusual sailing ships ever constructed, but her career was short: she was wrecked in the Isles of Scilly storm in 1907.
6 Sailing Yacht A
— a radically different kind of giant sailing vessel. At about 143 meters long, Sailing Yacht A is a modern private sailing yacht rather than a traditional cargo ship or tall ship. Built with a steel hull and enormous composite masts, she uses a computer-controlled sailing system and was designed by Philippe Starck and naval architect Nobiskrug. Her three masts rise more than 90 meters above the water.
7 Wyoming
— a six-masted wooden schooner launched in Maine in 1909. At 140 meters long, Wyoming is recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest wooden sailing ship ever built. She was designed to transport bulk cargo along the eastern coast of the United States and Canada. Her huge wooden hull was difficult to keep watertight in heavy seas, and the ship was eventually lost with all hands in a storm in 1924.
8 Sea Cloud Spirit
— a modern three-masted full-rigged sailing cruise ship measuring 138 meters in length. Built in the 21st century, she combines the appearance and sailing tradition of a classic windjammer with modern cruise-ship technology. Her sail area is approximately 4,100 square meters, while two diesel-electric motors provide auxiliary propulsion.
9 Royal Clipper
— a 134.8-meter five-masted full-rigged sailing cruise ship operated by Star Clippers. Inspired by the legendary Preussen, Royal Clipper was built for passengers rather than cargo. She carries 42 sails covering more than 5,000 square meters and can accommodate up to 227 guests. Guinness World Records recognized her as the world’s largest square-rigged ship in service when she entered service.
10 Wind Star
— a 134-meter four-masted motor sailing cruise ship launched in 1986. Unlike the traditional windjammers above, Wind Star was designed from the beginning as a modern cruise vessel. Her computer-controlled sails can assist the engines in suitable conditions, while the ship accommodates up to 148 passengers. She is one of a small group of large modern sailing cruise ships that combine traditional-looking rigs with modern propulsion and navigation systems.
