Before the towering tall ships sailed into New York Harbor for the nation’s July 4 semiquincentennial celebration, they could be seen just off Sandy Hook, giving New Jersey residents a front-row view.
I joined many other visitors on July 3 as people lined the beach to watch the ships gather offshore before continuing their voyage up the Hudson River as part of the Parade of Ships celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
The masts were so tall they rose above the dunes and beach grasses long before the ships themselves came fully into view.
It was the largest peacetime maritime gathering in history!
As early morning unfolded, more vessels appeared on the horizon in what looked like they arrived in both directions, slowly assembling offshore. Sailboats and pleasure craft cruised nearby as photographers, families and history enthusiasts paused to take in the rare sight.
The tradition for this event goes back to 1964, when Operation Sail (OpSail) came up with the concept, and it was championed by South Street Seaport founder Frank O. Braynard. It became a tradition at the nation’s bi-centennial. NYC was chosen as the focal point because the city is an historic port where early explorers, settlers, and millions of immigrants arrived via ship.
