Quote - OF course, it depends what style sailing ship and what era we're talking about. If you're talking about a full three-masted clipper or similar, then I would imagine that pilot boats or tugs would be needed to bring it in to dock or, as David suggested, sailing in until the last moment then dropping sails to allow yourslef to coast in by inertia.

If it's a current style tall-ship (some of which still retain the classic lines of yore), then it's quite possible there's an engine located somewhere below decks which allows for the final propulsion.

JonTheCelt

 

One of my Maine Maritime Academy Classmates became Captain of the Gazella Primero for a few years. The Gazzella Primero was one of the last Portugese Working Fishing Schooners.
http://www.gazela.org/ships/gazela/gazelahistory.htm

She had a 1 lung Diesel Engine, but that was used for heaveing the Anchor.

Cheers
DR

"That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves."
Thomas Jefferson