Tall ships committee nears attendance goals

Bluenose II

Organizers announced this week that more exciting ships have committed to Tall Ships Rhode Island 2007, which is shaping up to be the largest contingent of tall ships in Newport since 1976. The additional 13 ships brings the total of tall ships participating in the summer 2007 festival to 17, well within reach of the organization's goal of 25.

The newest participants include: Bowdoin, from Castine, Maine; Fair Jeanne, from Canada; Friendship from Salem, Mass.; Godspeed, from Jamestown, Va., Picton Castle, from New Zealand; Harvey Gamage, from Watch Hill, and Providence, from the state capital. Also scheduled to participate are Royaliste, from San Francisco; Sorlandet, from Norway; Spirit of Bermuda, from Bermuda, Spirit of Boston, from Boston; Virginia, from Norfolk, Va.; Urania, from the Netherlands; Bluenose II from Canada; Cisne Branco, from Brazil; Gorch Fock II, from Germany; and Taragini, from India.

In an international celebration of sail training and sea education, the tall ships will arrive in Newport the week before the Fourth of July holiday on June 27, 2007 and remain until July 1, 2007 at several locations along Newport Harbor. The extensive festivities are expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors to Newport during the five-day festival. The event will be capped by a majestic Parade of Sail, which is expected to draw more than 250,000 people throughout Narragansett Bay and the coastline.