1/700 Five-Masted Schooner

Five-masted schooners first appeared with the launch of Governor Ames in 1888.  For the next few decades, they were prolific North American cargo ships, as they were cheap to build and required a very small crew.  Though not as fast as full-rigged ships, schooners can sail into the wind much better, and are thus more effective for local transport up and down rivers and coasts.  This particular model is very similar in size to Governor Ames, but is not an exact copy.