Western Union Sailing Schooner Key West

American flag flying on the schooner Western Union docked in Key West Bight Marina

The Western Union was the last sailing cable tending schooner on earth. She’s one of the oldest working wooden schooners in the United States. The Western Union is the official flagship of Key West and on the National Register of Historic Places.

The schooner Western Union sailing off Key West with Sunset Key in the background

Joyce took this picture of the Key West schooner Western Union (a Maritime Museum) out for a sunset sail from Sunset Pier in Key West.

There’s nothing in the world like a Key West sunset— folks from every corner of the earth flock each day to watch in wonder as the sun makes its dramatic departure into the horizon. The schooner Western Union Maritime Museum offers a wonderful sunset sail—allowing guests to enjoy this glorious event on board Key West’s most historic ship. The Western Union sails one hour before sunset, coast past the world-famous Mallory Square Sunset celebration and into the tranquil waters of the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll get to taste the authentic flavor of the island with some fresh conch chowder and key lime dessert and unwind with a cool beverage as the schooner’s crew transports you to the ideal spot to see the sunset. Soft waves lap against the ship, while the fiery sun slowly disappearing from view takes your breath away.

American flag flying on the schooner Western Union docked in Key West Bight Marina

The schooner Western Union is operating as a Maritime Museum from the docks of Key West Bight Marina in Key West.

Made of mahogany and yellow pine, the schooner Western Union Maritime Museum is a marvelous example of a traditional American coasting schooner. For 35 years, the schooner served as a cable vessel for the Western Union Telegraph Company, repairing and maintaining undersea telegraph cable throughout Key West, Cuba and the Caribbean. After retiring from Western Union, the schooner was used as a charter boat and in various events celebrating the USA’s Bicentennial.

Today you can book sunset cruises aboard the Western Union.

Schooner Western Union sailing off Key West with Sunset Key and Wisteria Island in the background

Joyce took this picture of the schooner Western Union as it sailed past Sunset Pier one evening in February of 2012.

Sunset Pier is located on the extreme northwestern tip of Key West in Old Town. Sunset Key is on the left while Christmas Tree Island is on the right in this picture.

American flag flying on the schooner Western Union docked in Key West Bight Marina

The Schooner Western Union is open as a maritime museum along the Harbor Walk in Key West Bight Marina. This working museum is open to the public for sailing tours as well as dock tours. The schooner Western Union aka, Maritime Museum offers guests an unforgettable sail in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.

Tours include historical information about the schooner and its original purpose, the maritime lifestyle of its crew, and the historical importance of the maritime economy to the Florida Keys.

Sailing schooners Appledore III, Western Union and America 2 in Key West Bight Marina

Most if not all of the sailing schooners operating out of Key West dock in Key West Bight Marina along Harbor Walk.

If you are in Key West for a few days be sure to stroll Harbor Walk around Key West Bight Marina and check out the various sail boats, fishing charters, dive boats, parasailing, snorkeling, diving and all kinds of other water sports.

Schooner Western Union sailing off Key West with Sunset Key and Wisteria Island in the background

Joyce took this picture from her perch at Sunset Pier. The historic old sailing schooner Western Union is heading out for sunset cruise. Sunset Key is the island on your left while Wisteria Island is on your right.

Historic old sailing schooner Western Union without sails off Key West in February 1012

The historic old sailing schooner Western Union has yet to hoist her sails. In the background you can see the tip of Christmas Tree Island the sailing schooner Adirondack III (yellow sails) and schooner Jolly Rover (red sails) as they all hoist their sails.