Angela Laaro, a native of St. Mary’s County, is set to assume the role of master of Maryland Dove from Will Gates during a change-of-command ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on July 13 at the Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) waterfront.
Maryland Dove, a prominent exhibit at Historic St. Mary’s City, serves as a floating ambassador. The wooden ship is a replica of the 17th-century trading vessel that sailed to the Maryland colony in 1634.
Laaro’s Maritime Journey
Angela Laaro’s connection to HSMC began at the age of fourteen through the Terra Mariae Society homeschool program. She initially volunteered at the plantation exhibit area before transitioning to the Maryland Dove, where she was mentored by Will Gates. This mentorship ignited her passion for sailing and maritime commerce.
Laaro graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She currently works as a Sailing Yacht Charter Chef and Captain at Paradise Yacht Management, offering all-inclusive trips in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her previous roles include Fleet Manager and Captain at Buffalo Boat Tours, where she managed various sailing vessels in Buffalo Harbor and Lake Erie. These vessels included the Spirit of Buffalo, a 72 ft Square Topsail Schooner, Harbor Queen, a 63 ft Double Decker Catamaran, and Big Kahuna, a 50 ft Pontoon.
In 2020, Laaro captained the Junk-rigged Schooner Summer Wind, a 49 ft steel-hulled vessel with a single engine in Baltimore. She also served as Chief Mate on the tall ship Lynx, a replica War of 1812 Square Topsail Schooner, supervising educational sails and voyages along the East and Gulf coasts.
Gates’ Legacy
Will Gates has served as the master of Maryland Dove for over thirty-four years. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of a new Maryland Dove and a new dock, and educated countless people on maritime history and sailing. Gates began his career as an apprentice rigger at Mystic Seaport Museum, where he developed an interest in history, specifically the sailing and rigging trades.
Gates graduated with high honors from Clark University, where he studied Geography and Archaeology. He attended Archaeology Field School at Old Sturbridge Village and served as their first Archaeology Intern, later volunteering as an excavation supervisor for two summers. From 1978 to 1984, Gates alternated between educational sailing and historic rigging projects, including trips along the East Coast and the Caribbean aboard the Schooner Harvey Gamage with the “Seamester” program and cruises with the Schooner Rachael & Ebenezer. He also built a new rig for the 1877 iron barque Elissa in Galveston, Texas.
In 1984, Gates became the Chief Rigger aboard the Mayflower II in Plymouth, Massachusetts, before joining HSMC in 1989 as the Captain of Maryland Dove. Gates retired from HSMC in December but has been volunteering to help with the transition before Laaro takes over.
Laaro’s Vision
Laaro expressed her excitement about taking on her new role, stating, “I am beyond excited to bring my maritime career full circle with HSMC! Captain Gates has, throughout my career, been an incredible friend and mentor.” She added, “From the early days of teaching me to tie a bowline with my eyes closed, to providing support, resources, and connections while I grew and studied for my licenses, Will has always made me at home onboard Dove and at home on the water. Will has always inspired a family-like crew atmosphere, building us up, teaching new skills, and providing opportunities to encourage growth as a mariner. I hope to continue in his footsteps, providing opportunities for other mariners, young and old, to explore the freedom of the water and the fantastic history of this region we call home.”
