Island Spotlight: Don Peacock Lynx Privateer

This week we speak with Don Peacock, President and relief captain of Lynx. In 2016 Lynx was purchased from Woods Maritime LLC, by the Lynx Educational Foundation, Lynx hails out of Nantucket Island, Ma. Lynx winters in the city of St Petersburg, Florida our winter home.

 

Tell us a little bit about the history of Lynx 

Donald Peacock: The original Lynx was built in Fells Point, Maryland, and launched in 1812. Lynx’s Letter of Marque cost the owners $34,000. She is a War of 1812 Privateer / Blockade Runner referred to as a Baltimore Clipper. This Lynx was built in Rockport, Maine and launched in 2001, she is authentic in every way but we do have an engine and some minor electronics.

 

How did you get involved with Lynx?

Donald Peacock: Growing up summers on Nantucket I was enamored by the ships that would visit Nantucket especially Shenandoah. My brothers and I would spend many hours on her and the time to go ashore was when the Nobska rounded the point at night when she sounded her whistle, it was time to climb out of the rigging and get the last launch ashore. I have been involved with Lynx for 10 years.

 

What’s your role with the ship and tell us about your background as a sailor?

Donald Peacock: I am President of the Lynx Educational Foundation who owns the ship. I am also Co-Captain with my son Captain Alexander Peacock, I have been sailing for 54 years. My Grandfather pushed my brother Doug and I off the beach at the Creeks on “our” Sailfish and said – Figure it out, I will be back later!!!! Alex started sailing at five year’s old in his own Optimist

2 men sitting in front of a ship
A lighthouse and a ship in the water
Ship on the ocean by Tyler Fields Photography

What’s your favorite part of being involved with Lynx?

Donald Peacock: As a steward of this National Treasure, Nantucket’s Tall Ship, I take my roll of “Sharing the Ship” very seriously. Our partner in education on Nantucket, is Egan Maritime Institute, with programs designed to State Standards by our Director of Education, LeeAnn Buse, we provide an educational maritime experience for free to Nantucket kids with the support of the schools. Pauline Proch,Ex Director at Egan and the Lynx program have seen many of our student Alumni go to the Maritime Academy and we are very proud of four students who have graduated with big licenses and eight others are enrolled. I love sailing the channel and along the North shore, so great to see so many people admire the ship from the beach or the Steamship and fast boats.

 

Give us a fun or unusual fact/story!

Donald Peacock: The British captured Lynx in 1813, she was considered the most beautiful Privateer they had seen. Lynx was sailed to England, so they could understand the unique design that enabled these ships to sail circles around anything the British had they took Lynx apart and drew her out on paper. When Lynx returned to Halifax, as a patrol vessel late in the war she came back with the drawn plans and her original Letter of Marque! those plans were found in 1997 in Canada and used to help guide the build of this Lynx, Nantucket’s Tall Ship.

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𝗪𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠

What’s your favorite scoop shop on the island?
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𝗪𝗘’𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞

Breeze is back open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁: Daily, 7:30AM - 10AM
𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵: Thurs-Sat, 11:30AM - 2PM
𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿: Thurs-Sat, 5PM - 9PM
𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵: Sunday, 11:30AM - 2PM
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Meet Hugh. He’s a part of our welcoming party at the front desk, but he’s also one of the best sidewalk historians on Nantucket. Ask him about his walking tours of historic downtown Nantucket.
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If you’re feeling stir crazy with Breeze closed, we’re happy to share that we’ll be back open on March 10th (and looking better than ever…)
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If you’re a regular, you might already know him. He’s been a familiar face at Breeze for more than 10 years.

Breeze is back open on March 10th. We’ll see you then.
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We don’t show preference when it comes to guests checking in, except for our Pup & Play guests. They get an extra treat.

Tap the link in our bio to learn about our dog-friendly accommodation package..
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Our pool will be open for April School Vacation.

Make your plans today and make a family getaway to the island this spring break.
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𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡

Maybe you’ve already met him. He’s our General Manager’s faithful pal, and a regular fixture of our lobby. Here he is soaking up some Caribbean sun at our sister resort in St. John, @lovangoresort.
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𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗩𝗬

We’re closed for the month of February, but @thenantucket.club is open so members can keep their fitness groove on.
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Looking forward to all the brides and grooms we get to celebrate with this year. Check out @thenantucketweddings for a look at how we like to get down!

📸: @lanecarolinephotography
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𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗜𝗥

Our Nantucket Romance package is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for any Nantucket-loving couple.
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𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗗, 𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗗 & 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗨𝗟

Nantucket always looks good. Even in the winter.

PC: @washashore_photography
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𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

Make winter a little less dreary. Book a spring getaway to Nantucket and put sunny visions in your head, all winter long.
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𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪, 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗗𝗢

We’re closed until March 10th to give the hotel a refresh and to catch up some projects and updates we’ve been planning. Breeze will be closed, but The Nantucket Club will remain open to members throughout the month.

#ack #nantucket #nantucketing #newenglandresort #igersnewengland
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𝗬𝗢𝗚𝗔-𝗡𝗔-𝗗𝗢 𝗜𝗧

New Year’s resolutions come and go, but The Nantucket Club is here to Nama-Stay!

2023 Winter Memberships are available now.

#ack #nantucket #newengland #nantucketing #resort #igersnewengland
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Join us in congratulating Carlos Castrello as he takes the helm as General Manager of The Nantucket Hotel!

Carlos, his wife Fulya, and their dog Easton have been familiar faces at the hotel and around the island for many years. With us from the very beginning, we’re excited for Carlos to start his next chapter with the hotel as we move into our second decade.

#ack #nantucket #nantucketing #newengland #newenglandresort #nantuckethotel
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𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦

From all of us to you.

PC: @nantucket30milesatsea

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𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘

Plush robes and luxurious bedding awaits.

#ack #nantucketing #nantucket
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𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘…

…the most wonderful time of the year.

PC: @saltairenantucket

#ack #nantucket #nantucketing
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𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗭𝗘 𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗬

Breeze bar and restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast: daily 7:30 - 10:00 am
Brunch: Sunday 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Lunch: Wed. - Sat. 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Dinner: Wed. - Sat. 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

#ack #nantucketing #nantucket
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𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧

Finish the year on the right foot. Sign up for a winter membership at The Nantucket Club.

#ack #nantucketing #nantucket
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𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗬…

The best weekend of the year is coming right up. #nantucketstroll

#ack #nantucket #nantucketing
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𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗡

The holidays are finally here. Tap the link in our bio to learn how we’re celebrating the season at The Nantucket Hotel this year.

📸: @nypicsdaily

#ack #nantucket #nantucketing #newengland #igersnewengland
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𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡

It’s still looking pretty golden

PC: @acklimate_info

#ack #nantucket #nantucketing #newengland #igersnewengland #newenglandresort
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𝗜𝗬𝗞𝗬𝗞

Our antique school bus is the most stylish way to get around town. #ifyouknowyouknow

#ack #nantucketing #nantucket #newengland #igersnewengland #resorts #newenglandresorts #littlegemresorts
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