Pioneer

Pioneer is an iron-hulled sailing vessel at the South Street Seaport Museum in Manhattan open to visitors. The ship displays its original working design with iron plating and retains the equipment sailors once used for cargo operations.

The vessel was built in 1885 and originally hauled sand along the Delaware River for industrial mills. It later underwent changes and went on to serve various maritime roles throughout its working life.

The vessel functions as a hands-on learning space where visitors step aboard and understand how sailors worked on a working ship. You can see how crew members once lived in tight quarters and managed daily operations aboard.

From May through October, visitors can join daytime and sunset sailing trips aboard the vessel to explore the harbor. The ship stays moored at the pier, so it is easy to reach on foot and well connected to the surrounding Seaport Museum area.

The ship is one of the few still-sailing vessels of its kind in the US and is regularly used under full sail. This sets it apart from many other historical ships that remain stationary at the dock for tours only.

Location: Manhattan

GPS coordinates: 40.70470,-74.00250

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00