Albatross
Schooner · Lost 1961 · The Gulf of Mexico
The school schooner Albatross sank in a white squall west of the Dry Tortugas on May 2, 1961; six of those aboard died, including four students.
Become Captain of Record
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built at Amsterdam's state shipyard in 1920 as a North Sea pilot schooner, Albatross later served German and Dutch owners before becoming a floating school for American teenagers. Bound from Progreso, Mexico, to Nassau, she was struck shortly after 8:30 a.m. on May 2, 1961, by a sudden squall about 125 miles west of the Dry Tortugas. She heeled over and sank almost instantly. Six died, including skipper Sheldon's wife Alice and four students. Her loss inspired the 1996 film White Squall.
Vessel
- 1920
- Rijkswerf (state shipyard)
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Sail
- Not established
Loss
- May 2, 1961
- Storm
- About 125 miles west of the Dry Tortugas
- Gulf of Mexico
- Progreso, Mexico → Nassau, Bahamas
- Not established
- Not established
- 6
- Christopher Sheldon
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- Not established
- Position not established
- Dry Tortugas, Florida
No pin: no surveyed wreck position in the sources used.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Sparsely documented (50/100)
Based on a published secondary account; original records were not independently inspected.
Wikipedia — Albatross (1920 schooner)
Article narrative of construction, voyage and loss (secondary summary of cited books and newspapers).
Ocean Navigator — The end of Albatros
Confirms squall sinking 2 May 1961, 125 miles west of the Dry Tortugas; six lives lost.
