Tacoma’s Tall Ship: The Extraordinary Journey of the Odyssey

From trips to the Galapagos Islands to training Sea Scouts.

In 1978 the Odyssey, a 90-foot wooden yawl, arrived in Tacoma to serve as a training vessel and beloved landmark, standing tall in the harbor. Launched in 1938 off Nevins Boatyard in City Island, New York, the Odyssey spent four years traveling the world under the ownership of Barklie Henry. The ship hosted the Vanderbilt family and famous names like Ernest Hemingway before being donated to the cause during World War II. One name change later, she began service as a top-secret research vessel for the U.S. Navy, working in places like San Diego and Woods Hole until finding a home in Tacoma.

Join author Emily Molina as she charts this fascinating history.

Emily Molina is a freelance writer who lives in the South Puget Sound region of Washington with her retired army veteran husband and two children. Molina is a former international flight attendant, and her work has been published in numerous magazines. Emily loves both history and the sea and has a thirst for learning about people that draws her to historic places. It was while chasing a story that she was led to the Odyssey, creating a new love and magnificent memories that inspired her to learn how to sail.