Tabor Academy’s double-masted schooner is almost 100 years old, and on Sunday local residents got the chance to tour the historic vessel in Marion Harbor.

“Tabor Boy” was originally built in 1914 near Amsterdam. It was later captured by the Germans during World War II and purchased by an American businessman after the war.

The school's third Tabor Boy, the ship came to Tabor Academy in 1954.

Like its predecessors, the schooner has been an integral part of the program offerings at the school.

Freshmen have the option of doing an orientation at sea and any student can go out for crew in the fall and spring. Additionally, around 90 students use the vessel in the winter for Tabor’s Caribbean Studies program.

With the open ship on Sunday, residents got to see the vessel where many kids spend some of their favorite hours at Tabor.

Director of Leadership and Planned Giving Bob Thompson said, “The objective is to have an open ship for the town because a lot of people see the vessel come in and out of the harbor and have never been on board.”

Although the weather wasn’t exactly prime for touring, a number of people took the school’s launch from Island Wharf out to explore Tabor Boy.

The crew offered tours of the ships deck and living and dining quarters.

Freshman Camden Baer, of Sandwich, said he has sailed for a long time, but never on a ship as large as Tabor Boy.

After the orientation at sea, he was hooked and went out for the fall crew.

“It’s really unique. It wasn’t the reason I came here, but it’s a really extra awesome bonus,” he said. “I’ve been trying really hard, and I’ve learned a lot in the few weeks I’ve been here.”

The school will celebrate Tabor Boy’s 100^th anniversary next year with several receptions on the East Coast. Next year will also mark Tabor’s 60^th year with the vessel.