Priscilla, Museum ship in Hudson River, New York, United States
Priscilla is a wooden sailing sloop housed at the Long Island Maritime Museum, built specifically for harvesting oysters in coastal waters. The vessel displays the classic construction of sailing ships from its era, with its masts, working deck, and cargo space designed for daily fishing operations.
The sloop was launched in 1888 and spent decades working in the oyster fields of Great South Bay as the fishing industry relied on wind-powered vessels. When motorized fishing took over in the mid-20th century, the vessel was retired from active work and eventually preserved as a museum piece.
The vessel reflects how Long Island's community once depended on the sea for their livelihoods, and walking through it reveals the working methods of oyster harvesters from that era. The layout and equipment tell the story of a fishing tradition that shaped the region's identity.
The vessel is open to visitors during museum operating hours and you can walk around and explore the spaces on your own or with a guide. Wear comfortable shoes as you will navigate narrow passages, stairs, and uneven deck surfaces typical of historic wooden ships.
The vessel retains its original wooden construction and functional sailing mechanisms intact, making it the oldest surviving oyster sloop in the country. This largely unaltered state allows visitors to experience firsthand how the mechanics of harvesting and sailing actually worked in daily practice.
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