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Built by the Dutch in the 17th century, Kalmar Nyckel (Key of Kalmar) was a Swedish ship that carried the first permanent European settlers to North America in the mid-1600s to establish a colony of New Sweden. Today, people can visit the shipyard where the vessel was built and see a replica of the ship that was hand-built with Old-World craftsmanship, its huge mast, and elaborate rigging. The magnificent replica ship is moored next to Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park and the Shipyard Shops and is close to the Copeland Maritime Center, which features excellent exhibits documenting the history of the vessel and its all-important journey to the Americas.
Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation 1124 East Seventh Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, Phone: 302-429-7447
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