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the early days

From a log cabin to a life on the water, Lane was a rebel and an innovator. After serving in the Coast Guard, Lane moved to Norfolk, VA, bought his first tug, Steel Rebel, and earned a living towing and salvaging. To win a bet, he put a schooner rig on his working tug and invented the world’s first Tugantine. Along the way, he and wife Rosemarie started a family and raised four sons.

The log house of Lane's childhood

1964-65 Lane captains the hydrofoil Harbor Flyer

Lane working Steel Rebel

Steel Rebel tending Maryland Dove, Waterside, Norfolk VA

Steel Rebel salvaging a fishing trawler Hampten Harbor

Steel Rebel salvaging a barge

1978: Steel Rebel at Norfolk Haborfest

Steel Rebel under sail towing crane barge

Steel Rebel under sail pushing crane barge

Steel Rebel salvaging fishing trawler Hampten Harbor

1977?: Steel Rebel underway at Rebel Marina's Crab Regatta

lane builds a tugantine

Recognizing the economic and environmental benefit of sail-assisted commercial vessels, in 1980, Lane built his second Tugantine, Norfolk Rebel. Lane was transitioning from commercial salvage to tending tall ships, circumnavigating Virginia (via Canada) and appearing at maritime festivals all along the eastern seaboard, promoting maritime education, environmental efforts, his beloved schooners and a darn good party in the process.

Norfolk Rebel Scantlings
Naval Architect: Merritt Walter | Builder: Howdy Bailey

Length overall: 51’7″

Length on waterline: 48′

Draft: 5’6″

Beam: 15’3″

Weight: 33.2 tons

Power: 871 V8 320 HP Detroit Diesel

Prop: four-bladed

Sail area: 849 sq ft extended to 1200 sq ft when bowsprit extended

Lane in the yard with Norfolk Rebel

Frames of Nofolk Rebel during construction

1980: Launch of Norfolk Rebel with Lane and Rosemarie Briggs, May 22

1980: Launch of Norfolk Rebel, May 22

Norfolk Rebel underway

1984: Lane at the wheel during circumnavigation of Virginia

Lane with first mate, Rebel

1980: Norfolk Rebel caroling for the crews ships anchored, Christmas Day

1984: Lane in Toronto with two members of his crew of Sea Explorers

1984: Lane sets out on his 8,000-mile circumnavigation of Virginia with crew Lucia Woodlan and son Steve Briggs.

1984: Lane sets out on his 8,000-mile circumnavigation of Virginia

Norfolk Rebel tending the schooner Victory Chimes

Norfolk Rebel towing Ciudad de Inca

Lane in the wheelhouse

Dockside at the Schooner Race. Photo by Jeff Thomas

1998: Image appeared in the Chesapeake Bay Magazine

1994: Sail Toronto

1999?

1994: Sail Toronto

Lane with crew

1997: Norfolk Rebel tending Kalmar Nyckel at her launch in Wilmington, DE

Norfolk Rebel at Harborfest

1999: Lane and Jesse in pilot house tending schooner Victory Chimes

Waterside dock, Norfolk VA.

1993: Lane aboard Norfolk Rebel during the Schooner Race

2006: The plaque marking Rebel Marina's spot at Waterside, Norfolk, VA, site of Harborfest.

Capt. Lane Briggs passed away on September 19, 2005.

the next generation

Lane lived aboard Norfolk Rebel at the marina he founded on the grounds of his old salvage yard. He raised four boys to be captains and left a unique legacy of good work and great friends His four sons and four grandchildren continue the tradition.