The Repair Plan

23 Apr The Repair Plan

Dear TSP Community,

Our most recent update from Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum indicates that the level of work needed on Providence will require additional time and funding to complete in full.  For this reason, we have decided to break the repair into two stages.  The first (and current) stage will involve stabilizing the ship so that she may receive the Coast Guard approval necessary for her return to Alexandria in mid-July.  The ship will have minimal rigging, but will allow for the continuation of our award-winning dockside programs through the end of the 2025 season.  In early November, we plan to send Providence back to CBMM for an extensive rigging overhaul which will return her to full sailing shape for the 2026 season opening!

This is an expensive endeavor, but an important one.  Preserving Providence is a vital part of TSPF’s mission to educate and inspire our community on an important time in American History.  As the first ship assigned to the Continental Navy, Providence and her resilient crew provide timeless lessons and values relevant to us today. 

We are immensely thankful to our donors and volunteers for the support many of you have already provided.  This is of course an incredibly expensive undertaking, so if you wish to contribute to our efforts to get Providence sailing again, simply click the button below.

Fair winds,

Captain Dillon

Dillon Coppersmith

Captain, S/V Providence

Dillon has served as a yacht skipper in Tortola BVI and head sailing instructor and deckhand at Marine Corps Base Quantico Marina. He has significant experience as a maritimer including supervising crews, coastal navigation, rigging inspection and maintenance.  Dillon holds a 100-ton master’s license with a sailing endorsement.