The Spirit of South Carolina is a pilot schooner reminiscent of the Frances Elizabeth, a vessel that was originally built by the Samuel J. Pregnall & Bros. Shipyard in Charleston in 1879 and served pilots in this city's harbor for 25 years. Plans for the Frances Elizabeth, from which the new ship has been adapted, were found at the Smithsonian Institution within that organization's extensive collection.

Those original plans were modified and redesigned by Peter Boudreau and Andrew Davis, proprietors of the preeminent tall ship design firm TriCoastal Marine. TriCoastal Marine has been involved with several notable vessels including: the Amistad, Spirit of Massachusetts, Lady Maryland, Pride of Baltimore II, Schooner Virginia, and the USS Constellation. Mark Bayne, co-owner of Sea Island Boat Works in Charleston, South Carolina, is the Master Shipwright and has overseen construction of the Spirit of South Carolina. This ship is constructed from several types of woods traditionally used in shipbuilding, including: live oak, Angelique, long-leaf yellow pine, chestnut oak, juniper, and Douglas fir.

Captain Anthony Arrow took the helm of the Spirit in mid-2006 while still under construction. With a healthy crew from Sea Island Boatworks and dozens of volunteers, the Spirit was launched in March 2007. Today, educational programs aboard the Spirit are underway and offer effective, unique educational opportunities for the students of South Carolina, focusing on the history, math, science and literature of South Carolina's water resources and encouraging personal responsibility, contribution to community and stewardship of environment. More can be learned about the Spirit at www.scmaritime.org.