O’Brien says that OpSail was born out of the concept of a changing nautical term: The last working tall ship, which carried cargo, had just recently been retired when the event’s conception took place. O’Brien says that the original idea behind OpSail was “let’s gather together these majestic ships, before they disappear forever from the face the earth.”
That forecast has not come to pass—if anything the numbers are up, at least ceremonially. OpSail bicentennial 1976 had only 16 tall ships, which is a pitiful turnout compared to the 25 tall ships that will be sailing in this year’s semiquincentennial. Commodore Harrington said, “This will be OpSail on steroids.” “There was a flurry of activity all week.”
What to do?
The ships will be open to the public once moored. They invite spectators to come aboard and meet the crew. Romanian 88-year old MirceaIt will be accompanied by its mustachioed facet as it makes its way from the Black Sea up to Brooklyn Bridge Park. MirceaThe faint pirate vibe. It’s a classic. “We’re not sure if we can guarantee Captain Hook, or even peg-legs,” said Commodore Harrington.
The best place to view the procession is just west of Brooklyn. O’Brien will be stationed on Governors Island, where he once cut his teeth as a young Coast Guard officer and where NBC—including The Today Show—will broadcast the beauties for six hours. He said that between the Statue Of Liberty and Governors Island’s southern tip there is a pitch point, where the channel narrows and tall ships appear to be right on top. “Great for cameras.”
The oldest ship at the festival. ElissaThis 1877 ship is one of only a few that allows spectators to board the vessel early and participate in the parade of sails up and down New York Harbor on July 4. This 1877 ship is surprisingly seaworthy and has 50 spots available. run around $10,000 a pop Included in the fees are:
Since 1986, Texas’s tall ship was not in the city. Captain Ryan Bradfield only had two years of age. He’ll be managing this year Elissa‘s 42 man crew, and overseeing rigging repairs en route. He said: “I am the leader of this circus.” “We depart from Galveston, Texas’ seaport in mid-May.”
After the parade, Captain Bradfield and his Texan crew will tie up at Lower Manhattan’s Pier 36, then open the ship to the public for a little après-parade revelry—Texas-centric fare, live music and drinks, including Elissa‘s Namesake IPA brewed in Houston by Houston’s Saint Arnold Brewing Co.
Another ship, Germany Gorch Fock, will make the Atlantic crossing once more—only this time Chris O’Brien’s teenage daughter will be aboard. Is the ex-Coast Guard officer jealous? “As an ex-sailor, I’m very jealous.” “And her mother is terrified,” said he, laughing. “I’m not. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
