The fast, nimble pilot schooners of the Chesapeake Bay -- employed not only for piloting but also for cargo carrying -- began to build their legend in the eighteenth century, becoming blockade runners during the American Revolution, privateering vessels during the War of 1812, and armed dispatch and policing vessels for European navies. They were also a favored type for the activities of pirates, smugglers, and slavers. Variations of the final "clipper" model of the Baltimore schooner continued the vessels' reputation through the nineteenth century as both great yachts and humble "pungy" schooners carrying produce. Geoffrey Footner documents the family tree of this distinctive American schooner in both text and illustration, including hull lines from sources around the world.

The fast, famous pilot schooners of Chesapeake Bay -- employed not only for piloting but for cargo-carrying -- began to build their legend in the eighteenth century, becoming blockade runners during the American Revolution, privateering vessels during the War of 1812, armed dispatch and policing vessels for European navies, and a favored type for the activities of pirates, smugglers and slavers. Variations of the final "clipper" model of the Baltimore schooner continued the vessel's reputation through the nineteenth century as both great yachts and humble "pungy" schooners carrying produce.