With cannons blasting and sails billowing, the Lynx made its grand entrance into the Antioch Marina last week for a week of dockside tours and sailing adventures.

Stephen Diaz, 9, came early because he wanted to get a good look as the ship sailed into the marina, and he wasn't disappointed.

"It was cool," said Stephen, who came with his grandparents from Rio Vista to see the schooner. "I liked the cannons. I thought it was going to be bigger, but it looks nice."

The 122-foot square topsail schooner is a polished reproduction of a naval schooner used during the War of l812. The original Lynx assisted the American naval forces in running the British blockade during the war, and also defended the coastal waters against the Royal Navy.

The Lynx is part of the Lynx Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers tours and field trips to schoolchildren and the public. The group's goal is to educate and develop the public's knowledge of America's early maritime history.

For information on upcoming Lynx events, call (866) 446-5969, or visit www.privateerlynx.org.