1976: Start of round-the-world voyage | Extensive refit from autumn 2026
In the international maritime world, she has long been regarded as a ‘legend of the seas’: the brig Eye of the Wind has circumnavigated the globe, led the scientific expedition ‘Operation Drake’ under the patronage of Prince Charles (now King Charles III), taken part in tall ship regattas, and served as a backdrop and setting for Hollywood film productions.
Fifty years ago, on 25 September 1976 to be precise, the sailing ship set sail on its maiden voyage under its current name, Eye of the Wind, from the port town of Ramsgate on the English Channel coast following a complete refurbishment lasting several years.
Built as a cargo ship for the South American route
In Brake / Germany, a gaff schooner was launched from the Lühring shipyard in 1911; it was entered in the Hamburg Shipping Register under the name Friedrich and used for trade with South America. After twelve years, the owner sold the vessel to Sweden, where, for practical reasons, it was gradually converted from a sailing ship to a motor vessel – as early as 1926, the masts were removed and a powerful engine installed in their place. Under various names and owners, the cargo and fishing vessel sailed the Baltic and North Seas before being earmarked for a quieter existence as a transport ship for mail and goods. But these plans went up in smoke: in 1969, a devastating fire, starting in the engine room, destroyed the deckhouses and the wooden deck, bringing its service at sea to an abrupt end.
Rebirth as the Eye of the Wind
Enthusiastic shiplovers were so moved by the ship’s fate that, in 1973, they began extensive conversion work to transform it into a brig. Its dreary existence as a cargo ship came to an end, and the two-masted vessel, now bearing the new name Eye of the Wind, was ready to set sail for great adventures at sea.
Right from its maiden voyage, which began in 1976, the ship circumnavigated the globe: the round-the-world voyage, with stops in Australia, the South Seas and a rounding of the infamous Cape Horn, had barely ended in 1978 when the next challenge was already awaiting the impressive tall ship: Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Charles (now King Charles III), the Eye of the Wind was accorded the honour of leading ‘Operation Drake’ as its flagship. More than 400 international crew members took part in various stages of this expedition, which lasted just under two years and followed in the footsteps of the famous seafarer around the globe.
Cast off … and action: Eye of the Wind is a hit on the big screen
Her imposing presence also attracted attention in the film industry, and so the Eye of the Wind has sailed past the sets of major Hollywood productions on several occasions. Just as in real life, the tall ship braved wild storms, ran aground, caught fire and sank on camera. The ship served as a film set in the adventure film “The Blue Lagoon” (1980), the pirate film “Nate and Hayes” (1983), “Taipan” (1986) and “White Squall” (1996). Renowned Hollywood stars such as Brooke Shields and the two Oscar® winners Tommy Lee Jones and Jeff Bridges took the helm.
In 1990, the Eye of the Wind accepted an invitation to the South Seas and took part in the celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the settlement of Pitcairn Island, which had been discovered during the famous mutiny on the Bounty and used as a place of refuge. After rounding Cape Horn once more, the tall ship then sailed the world’s oceans as a training vessel until the year 2000, calling at the world’s most famous ports. During this period, the ship received several awards at tall ship regattas around the globe, including the title of the ‘most photogenic‘ vessel.
A refit for further maritime adventures
On 1 April 2009, the Eye of the Wind found a new home port with FORUM train & sail GmbH, a subsidiary of the German FORUM Media Group. Since then, she has been used for sailing and charter trips, exclusive events and executive training courses. The ship sails with guests all year round in various sailing regions, including the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Sea.
A six-day anniversary trip, starting and ending in Kiel / Germany in September 2026, will mark the 50th anniversary of the first voyage under the ship’s current name, Eye of the Wind. Passengers of all ages are welcome on board; no previous sailing experience is required to take part in the journey.
From November 2026, the ship will undergo several months of dockyard work, during which extensive repair and modernisation work will be carried out. This project is intended to ensure the preservation of the ‘sailing old lady’ Eye of the Wind for the next ten years and beyond. Freshly restored, the ship will set sail once again for attractive destinations next year. Her ‘comeback‘ following the dockyard period is scheduled for the 2027 Hamburg Port Anniversary – at the very place where the sailing ship’s maritime history once began.
Technical specifications and features
Year built: 1911 | Length: 40.23 m | Beam: 7.01 m | Speed: 8 knots | Sail area: 750 sqm
6 comfortable cabins for 12 guests | Salon with on-board library, deck saloon, sun deck
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