Greetings from the Schwenkfelder Library &
Heritage Center!
I'm all over the map with the questions I pose to
the list...last week it was pigeon droppings, this week maritime
history...
I'm seeking to clarify some information about
18th century sailing ships used to transport German immigrants to America.
We have some longstanding myths in this institution
that were pretty much dispelled by a maritime historian a few years back, but
I'm hoping I can tap into some other sources of expertise on the
list.
The historian spoke of ships called "flutes" and
thought this may be the correct type of ship that hauled immigrants. He
felt that the ship owners would not have allotted their best and fastest ships
(such as the East Indiamen) to carry immigrants. This particular ship was
named the "St. Andrew" and the immigrants boarded her in Rotterdam.
I guess what I'm getting at is that I need to find
descriptions and/or images of these type of ships (flutes? if that's what
they're called?) A line drawing would be fine. Any suggestions? I'll
contact some of the big maritime museums gladly, however, if anyone can help me
with a quick reply that would be super.
Thanks!
Candace Perry