Tall Ship Lynx
Origin Story
1997 - Present
In 1997, Woodson K. Woods embarked on a journey to build a privateer inspired by the original historic tall ship from the War of 1812, The Privateer Lynx. His goal was to create a living history museum to educate children and adults alike about American history through active sail training aboard a real wooden sailing ship.
What went into Lynx was not just wood, rope, brass, and canvas. It was not just sweat, blood, heartache and laughter either. What went into her goes far beyond history, ambition, inspiration, determination, and commitment.
In 2016 Lynx was purchased from Woods Maritime LLC by the Lynx Educational Foundation. Lynx hails from Nantucket Island, MA, with Donald Peacock, as president and captain since 2015. Lynx winters in the city of St. Petersburg, FL, and in St. Simons Island, GA, from November through May. Lynx' partner in education is Egan Maritime Institute in Nantucket.
On July 28, 2001, in Rockport, Maine, Woods’ vision was realized. Past and present converged as Lynx was launched in a gala event, ordaining a magnificent future on the high seas.
The creation of Lynx embraces eternal truths: passion, sacrifice, perseverance, honor, and courage. All of these emotions gave her a soul long before she tasted her first saltwater. At sea, Lynx is the legacy of her creators: the thinkers, the designers, the builders, and most importantly, the dreamers
Meet The Crew
Donald Peacock
Captain of the Lynx
President of the Lynx Educational Foundation
Donald began sailing as a young boy in Nantucket, and while camping on a small lake in New Hampshire. Now a Senior Captain, Don has been with the Lynx Educational Foundation as a volunteer, a board member, and President of the Board of Directors since 2010. Captain Peacock took over full responsibility of the ship and program from Woodson Woods in 2014. Captain Peacock hails from New Hampshire and Nantucket and can date traditional sailing in his family all the way back to 1828.
Sean Canniff
Captain of the Lynx
Sean grew up in Marshfield, MA, and started his career at age 19 as a cook on a schooner sailing from Boston to Key West. There he found structure, community, and a place to thrive. He advanced to a hawsepiper. and sailed on Liberty Clipper, Liberty Star, Bagheera, Wendameen, Amistad, Angelique, Roseway, Californian, Harvey Gamage, and now Lynx. He credits sailing in transforming his life. Sean has been Captain of the Lynx since 2021, and prioritizes personal development and self-discovery. Sean has sailed over 22,000 miles, including education sailings, and officiated his sister's wedding on deck. Under Canniff, Lynx has a 100% safety record.
LeeAnn Buse
Director of Education for the Lynx Educational Foundation
LeeAnn has extensive teaching experience, having worked as a classroom teacher for 33 years in a variety of educational settings. She holds a Master’s degree in Learning Disabilities and a Bachelor’s in K–12 Education, giving her a strong foundation supporting students with different learning needs. She has been volunteering aboard the Lynx since 2010, where she combines her passion for education and love of sailing to create engaging hands-on experiences. Raised on the Great Lakes, LeeAnn developed an early connection to life on the water and has sailed on a wide range of vessels, including large brigs and schooners, for over 25 years.
Sam Whipple
Deckhand and Boston Mate
Sam comes to us from Pittsburgh, CA. Sam's ancestor, William Whipple, represented NH in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1779 and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Sam has previous Tall Ship experience from the Matthew Turner and the Schooner Seaward. He came to the Lynx with recommendations from his former crew member and Chief Mate on the Matthew Turner. He plans to utilize skills from the Schooner Lynx to achieve his maritime goals, including obtaining licensing to further his career in the Tall Ships industry and make an educational impact in the maritime community.
Interested in volunteering aboard the Lynx? Check out opportunities to join the crew here.
Chuck, Kelly, Todd Cole, and John Hart
Volunteers
Chuck, Kelly, and Todd Cole come to us from Portsmouth and Newmarket, New Hampshire. Chuck and Kelly spend some of the coldest winter months in Saint Simons Island, Georgia. This happens to be the winter home port of the Lynx. Both Chuck and Kelly also work/volunteer on the Gundalow Piscataqua in Portsmouth, NH, during the summer. They generously volunteer aboard the Lynx, sharing their experience and willingness to help with the rest of the crew.
John Hart comes to us from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has sailed his own boat, Directionally Correct, for a few years now and brings a lot of sailing experience to the Schooner Lynx and her Crew. John's previous sailing experience includes Bosun's school on board the Barque Picton Castle. He is also involved in several other sailing adventures and hopes to continue doing so for many more years
In Memoriam
Troy Ingram
Late Deck Hand, Historian
The Lynx recognizes the late Troy Ingram of Birmingham, AL, a Deckhand, Coxswain, Gunner, Shipmate, and Last Privateer. He gave the Lynx a historical presence with authentic costumes, live singing of traditional sea shanties, and enthusiasm for tall ships, before his unexpected passing at age 28 in April. He also worked aboard the Amistad, the Margaret Todd, the Alvei, and others.
A Personal Message From Captain Peacock
Mr. Ingram was taken from his family, shipmates, and ship Lynx, in the wee hours of April 26, 2026, by someone who has yet to present themselves to the authorities, on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in a hit and run.
Mr. Ingram, after a strong work week, was out with his shipmates when he deferred a ride for a walk, as the rest summoned an Uber for their return to quarters. You see, Mr. Ingram, a connoisseur of root beer and just a sipper of merryment, preferred to walk. Mr Ingram is known up the East Coast for his walking, and if you drive by him, you will hear him singing sea shanties.
Mr. Ingram blazed his own path as one of the most unique and authentic gems of a human I have ever met. Troy was caught between centuries and made the most of the one he was stuck in. One of the kindest human beings on the planet, he touched people with joy; he brought joy to his shipmates. Never did Mr. Ingram have a negative word for a fellow human being, never.
Troy has been on a few ships, but Lynx was his ship; he told me last week that he was proud to be in service to the ship. Mr. Troy Ingram was no more key to the ship than any one of us, but his uniqueness made him stand out wherever we went. Sometimes, he would create a negative inquisitive contemplation, as he confidently strolled the streets of a Lynx port of call, it would not be long until he had a community sharing a selfie pose with him.
To the person responsible, do the right thing and step forward.
To Mr. Ingram, I hope you are in your most perfect century; we will take your watch, and you will forever be sailing with us. For Captain Sean and our crews, past and present. Sail on, you lovely soul.
Captain Donald Peacock
Schooner Lynx