Meet the captain of Schooner American Eagle

March 12, 2026

For Tyler King, becoming the captain and owner of the Schooner AMERICAN EAGLE was a career he seemed destined for from an early age.

Raised in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Tyler grew up in his family’s small wooden boatyard along the Annisquam River, where traditional boatbuilding was a way of life. From the time he was young, he was surrounded by the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the working waterfront.

In a recent interview Tyler said, “My father and mother run a little wooden boatyard down there [Gloucester], the Montgomery’s yard down on the Annisquam River, which was founded in 1904, and my Dad took it over from the third generation of the family in the late 80s. They built tons of boats there. Now it is the River Boat Works and growing up we had quite a few restorations and small boat projects. There are pictures of me holding caulking cotton, passing it to my Dad out of the box when I was about 2.”

He also spent summers with his family on their own sailboat sailing the waters of New England and coastal Maine, further honing his maritime skills.

At just sixteen, eager to learn everything he could, Tyler began his windjammer journey as an apprentice on one of the schooners. Over the years, he worked his way through the ranks, gaining experience on several traditional vessels and earning his diesel engine and electrical systems certifications as well as his Coast Guard license. Along the way, he became known for his steady demeanor, thoughtful leadership, and genuine enthusiasm for sharing life under sail.

All this time, Tyler’s goal was to land a spot working aboard Gloucester’s own Schooner AMERICAN EAGLE. (For those of you who don’t know AMERICAN EAGLE, built in 1930, is the last remaining Gloucester fishing schooner). Tyler’s path eventually brought him to the schooner, where he first contributed by rebuilding traditional small boats used aboard the vessel before joining her sailing crew. In 2022, following decades of stewardship by Captain John Foss, Tyler took ownership of this National Historic Landmark schooner.

Today, Captain King brings both technical skill and heartfelt appreciation to every voyage. Guests will quickly discover that sailing with Tyler is about more than sailing. It’s about understanding the vessel, noticing the coastline, and feeling connected to the traditions that have shaped Maine’s maritime heritage for generations.

Under Tyler’s guidance, AMERICAN EAGLE continues to offer exciting windjammer cruises. Many of the cruises also offer live music or additional hiking opportunities. And notably, this summer the AMERICAN EAGLE is offering cruises to NYC for America’s 250^th birthday (trips are already full!)

With a deep respect for the past and a steady eye toward the future, Captain Tyler King ensures that the story of AMERICAN EAGLE continues.