The Governor Stone - National Historic Landmark Schooner

The Governor Stone - National Historic Landmark Schooner Built in Pascagoula, MS in 1877, the NHL Governor Stone is a gaff-rigged, two-masted schooner and National Historic Landmark. Keep history afloat. ⚓️

Since 2005, Friends of the Governor Stone, Inc. has preserved, maintained, and sailed her. A National Historic Landmark Vessel
Postal address PO Box 15968, Panama City, FL 32405
Join us at https://www.governorstone.org/membership

⛵ Did You Know? The Governor Stone Served in Wartime. ⛵The Governor Stone’s story isn’t just one of Gulf Coast commerce ...
04/15/2026

⛵ Did You Know? The Governor Stone Served in Wartime. ⛵

The Governor Stone’s story isn’t just one of Gulf Coast commerce and coastal heritage — she also answered the call during World War II.

In 1942, the U.S. War Commission purchased the Governor Stone for just $1.00, and she was placed into service as a Navy training vessel during the war. 

Think about that for a moment: a schooner built in 1877 was still so valuable, so dependable, and so well-built that she was chosen to help train sailors during one of the most important moments in modern history.

From cargo freighter…
to oyster buy boat…
to rum runner…
to Navy training vessel.

Few ships can say they have lived as many lives as the Governor Stone.

This remarkable chapter reminds us that preserving her today means preserving a vessel that not only shaped Gulf Coast history, but also played a role in our nation’s wartime story. 

⚓ Keep History Afloat
⚓ Never Give Up the Ship

03/31/2026

Timeless ingenuity

⛵ Did You Know? The Governor Stone Once Ran Rum During Prohibition.The 1877 schooner Governor Stone has lived quite the ...
03/14/2026

⛵ Did You Know? The Governor Stone Once Ran Rum During Prohibition.

The 1877 schooner Governor Stone has lived quite the life along the Gulf Coast.

For more than 60 years she worked the nearshore waters as an oyster buy boat, traveling from oyster tongers to market with their daily catch. During that time she was owned by Nathan “Mul” Dorlon and later captained by Thomas Burns.

But during Prohibition, Captain Burns added a small 16-horsepower motor and found another way to supplement the oyster trade.

Under the cover of night, the Governor Stone quietly made runs bringing contraband rum from Cuba to the Gulf Coast — reportedly earning about $500 per trip. While the Coast Guard searched the vessel more than once, Captain Burns managed to avoid capture… though on at least one occasion he had to toss some valuable cargo overboard.

Like many working vessels of her era, the Governor Stone also survived powerful Gulf storms. She was even sunk during the devastating 1906 hurricane before being salvaged and repaired — a testament to how valuable these schooners were to the coastal economy.

From oyster boat…
to rum runner…
to National Historic Landmark.

The Governor Stone has never just been a boat — she’s a living piece of Gulf Coast history.

⚓ Keep History Afloat
⚓ Never Give Up the Ship

03/08/2026

The US Coast Guard's tall ship Eagle will visit Pensacola in May and is expected to draw 8,000 visitors. See link below ⬇️

📸 Tony Giberson/[email protected]

⛵ A Cool Piece of Governor Stone History! ⛵Did you know that the 1877 schooner Governor Stone once helped support the Gu...
03/05/2026

⛵ A Cool Piece of Governor Stone History! ⛵

Did you know that the 1877 schooner Governor Stone once helped support the Gulf Coast’s historic sponge trade?

In her early working years along the Gulf, the Governor Stone carried natural sea sponges harvested from coastal waters to markets around the region. Long before synthetic sponges existed, these natural sponges were widely used for bathing, cleaning, painting, and more—and vessels like the Governor Stone helped keep this important coastal industry moving.

Stories like this are what make the Governor Stone so special. She’s more than a historic ship—she’s a floating reminder of the hardworking maritime traditions that shaped communities along the Gulf Coast.

Today, we’re proud to continue preserving and rebuilding this National Historic Landmark schooner so future generations can experience and learn from this incredible history.

⚓ If you love maritime history, give this post a like and share it with someone who appreciates our coastal heritage!

⚓ Keep History Afloat
⚓ Never Give Up the Ship

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! 📚⚓Today we’re thinking about The Lorax and its simple but powerful reminder: if we don’t spea...
03/03/2026

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! 📚⚓

Today we’re thinking about The Lorax and its simple but powerful reminder: if we don’t speak up for what matters, it can quietly disappear.

The Lorax spoke for the trees.
Here at The Friends of the Governor Stone, we speak for maritime history.

Wooden schooners like the 1877 Governor Stone are more than old boats. They represent craftsmanship, working waterfronts, coastal communities, and the stories that shaped our bays. When historic vessels are lost, a piece of that story goes with them.

After Hurricane Michael, it would have been easy to let the damage define the end of her journey. But just like the last Truffula seed in The Lorax, preservation begins with someone who cares enough to plant it.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Rebuilding the Governor Stone is about more than wood and sails. It’s about protecting heritage, teaching future generations, and keeping our coastal story alive.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss — and thank you for reminding us that caring is where restoration begins.

⚓ Keep History Afloat
⚓ Never Give Up the Ship

03/02/2026

⛵ Have You Checked Out Our Ship Store? ⛵

Don’t miss out! From Governor Stone collectibles and unique gifts to shirts for adults and youth — there’s something for everyone.

Every purchase you make goes directly toward the restoration and rebuild of the 1877 National Historic Landmark Schooner, the Governor Stone. When you shop, you’re helping keep maritime history alive.

Already have everything you need but still want to support the rebuild? Become a member! With a variety of membership opportunities available, you’re sure to find the level that suits you.

Support the schooner. Wear the history. Be part of the legacy.

Shop or join today:
https://www.governorstone.org/ship-store-1

⚓ Never Give Up the Ship
⚓ Keep History Afloat

⛵ Governor Stone Annual Meeting – TONIGHT! ⛵📅 2/26/26🕗 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST💻 Held virtually via ZoomJoin us online ...
02/26/2026

⛵ Governor Stone Annual Meeting – TONIGHT! ⛵

📅 2/26/26
🕗 8:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM CST
💻 Held virtually via Zoom

Join us online for the 2026 Annual Members Meeting and receive a firsthand update on the status of the rebuild and Phase II progress.

Our 149-year-old National Historic Landmark sailing schooner is far more than an old wooden boat. She is a living symbol of maritime heritage, education, and community pride — and she stands ready to continue serving as a powerful tourism partner for our region.

Tonight, we will:
⚓ Share rebuild updates
⚓ Discuss what comes next
⚓ Answer your questions
⚓ Outline the path forward

We look forward to connecting with you and sharing the future of the 1877 Governor Stone.

Hope to see you online!

⚓ Never Give Up the Ship
⚓ Keep History Afloat

It’s that time again—and we have an important Annual Members Meeting tonight. Due to recent developments involving the C...
02/26/2026

It’s that time again—and we have an important Annual Members Meeting tonight.

Due to recent developments involving the County, FEMA, and FDEM, this Board meeting will be held online. We’ll be sharing key updates on the Governor Stone project and discussing next steps.

We invite all FOGS members and the general public to join us online to stay informed about the progress and future of this historic vessel.

WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 2026
TIME: 7:00pm CST / 8:00pm EST
WHERE: ONLINE - Virtual Meeting Only
https://meet.google.com/wyv-nswz-hyi
Dial-in: (US) +1 484-430-1852
PIN: 236 617 333 #

⛵ Governor Stone Update ⛵We want to share an important update with our supporters.Work on the Governor Stone is currentl...
02/25/2026

⛵ Governor Stone Update ⛵

We want to share an important update with our supporters.

Work on the Governor Stone is currently at a temporary standstill due to Destination Panama City returning ownership of the St. Andrews School property back to Bay County. Until it is determined whether a new lease will be established or if the schooner will need to be relocated, rebuilding activity is paused.

Please know this: the project is not abandoned.

The Friends of the Governor Stone Board is actively working with the Bay County Commissioners, FEMA, and FDEM to secure a solid, long-term solution that allows the rebuild to continue as efficiently as possible.

Our goal remains unchanged — to fully restore the 1877 National Historic Landmark Schooner and return her to her rightful place as a living piece of maritime history.

Challenges happen in projects of this scale. What matters is how we navigate them.

We remain committed.
We remain engaged.
We remain determined.

⚓ Never Give Up the Ship
⚓ Keep History Afloat

Address

1410 Bayview Avenue
Panama City, FL
32401

Telephone

+18506283436

Website

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