The Dutch schooner Adelaar, was built in 1902 by Staadskanal Shipyards in Zaandam, Holland. Originally a cargo ship, the Adelaar sailed between England, Sweden, Norway and Russia, propelled only by the wind blowing into heavy canvas sails. The ship's log book, exhibited at the "Scheepsmuseum" in Groningen, Holland, is testimony to Adelaar's early history.

During World War II, She was confiscated by the Germans. The masts were removed, and a diesel engine was installed. The once proud and peaceful sailing Adelaar was renamed "HEIMATLAND", and used to transport war goods. After the war, the German Captain Thimian was sailing Her in the Baltic Sea, again as a cargo vessel.

In 1979, aging and no longer in service, She was docked near a small fishing village located at the border between former East Germany and Poland. The present owners attempted to buy the ship's two large anchors from aging Captain Thimian, but instead they walked away with the entire 127 foot ship! She was taken along the rivers and canals to former east Berlin.

In 1981, the owners managed "mysteriously" to sail the HEIMATLAND and themselves out of East Berlin into the western world. Now "free", they began extensive restoration of the vessel, unknowingly at the very same shipyard where She was originally built.  By chance, an old man, named Eefting, recognized Her as the vessel his father built 80 years ago. His original pictures were used to restore the ship to Her former grandeur.  During the four-year restoration, She received a new yacht-like interior, a 40 ton steel-concrete keel, and a traditional schooner rig. Fitted to sail around the world, and named Adelaar again, She was granted Royal Dutch Ship Certification.

The Adelaar sailed the Mediterranean from 1984 until 1987, then crossed the Atlantic Ocean, to sail the Caribbean.  In 1988, She crossed the Pacific Ocean and sailed to New Zealand, where She later won the New Zealand Tall Ship Race.

From 1991 until 1992, the Adelaar underwent yet another complete renovation; equipment was updated and a full service dive center was added.  She continued her voyage around the world leaving New Zealand in 1993, sailing to Indonesia with ports of call at Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. From 1994 until the present, Adelaar has sailed the Indonesian Archipelago.