J.F. James & Son

This Starling Burgess designed gaff-rigged topsail schooner was built in 1924 in Essex, Massachusetts by J.F. James and Sons. She was designed in the typical Grand Banks tradition with a spoon bow, round bilge and full keel. Originally christened PILOT, she served 47 years as a Boston pilot ship. For a period of that time she served along side the pilot ship ROSEWAY.

In the 1970’s she was purchased to circumnavigate the globe. She got as far as Fiji and in 1976 was sold. Her next owner renamed her STAR PILOT and obtained a US Coast Guard certification to serve as a school ship. She passed ownership again in 1998. Then soon after sailed from San Diego, California, to Nova Scotia. In Nova Scotia she had a major refit and was used as a training ship for young seafarers. At that time her name was changed to HIGHLANDER SEA.

In 2002 the vessel was purchased by her current owners. In 2004 she had a major refit. The HIGHLANDER SEA now serves as the community tall ship for Port Huron, Michigan.

The focs’l and Galley are located towards the bow in the compartment forward of the engine room. Aft of the engine room is a spacious salon providing a communal area.  Officer’s quarters are in the aftermost compartment located below the pilot house. There are two heads, one forward in the focs’l area and one aft in the officer’s quarters as well as a shower also located in the officer’s area.

Forecastle/galley

The 16 Forecastle bunks are constructed of tropical hardwood and laid out in a traditional fashion two tiers high along the interior of the hull. A head with a hot/cold water wash basin is located on the starboard side aft of the bunks. The galley is equipped with a six burner propane stove, two basin sink, reefer, freezer, and hardwood counter tops. Settees run along the base of the bunks forward of the galley area.

Salon

The salon has three bunks on each side, outboard of the common space, making a total of six single tiered bunks original from her days as a pilot vessel. A buffet style cabinet used as a serving area sits against the forward bulkhead surrounding the main mast. A large tropical hardwood table fills the center of the cabin and provides a common eating area. Settees surround the cabin outboard of the common space along the base of the bunks.

Officer’s Quarters

Aft of the salon there are two cabins. The mate’s cabin contains a double bunk and the captain’s cabin contains a double bunk as well as a desk. Separate from the cabins yet on the same corridor is a head with a hot/cold basin. Across the hall from the head is the shower with hot/cold running water.

Features: