Tall ships live up to high expectations
Smaller fleet doesn’t dampen visitors’ spirits
Fewer tall ships sailed into Boston Harbor this time around, but that didn’t matter yesterday to visitors like James Heaton of Mansfield and his 5-year-old daughter, Abi.
“I love the ships,’’ said Abi, who was exploring the seven boats tied up near the Charlestown Navy Yard and the Seaport World Trade Center. “I love the flags and the pretty colors.’’
“I did this in 2000 and always wanted to do it again,’’ added her father. “It is great to see things from all over the world.’’
The opening of the festival had been in doubt because of financial and public safety concerns, but organizers were eventually able to raise enough money to hold a smaller event.
About 40 ships came this year, compared with 100 vessels nine years ago. Sail Boston projected a turnout this year of between 300,000 and 500,000 visitors; the 2000 event drew an estimated 7.5 million .
“This could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance,’’ said Chase Withrow, 15, of Waltham, who came with his father. “The event almost didn’t happen this year . . . so I figured it would be a good thing to get out of the house and see these ships.’’
“We wanted to teach our son to appreciate sea fare and all things maritime,’’ said Susan Yospin, 32, of Brighton, who attended with her husband and 5-month-old son. “It is a great event filled with all walks of life and a lot of kids.’’
Joe Wi, 31, of Boston, brought his whole family and spent more than five hours looking at the ships.
“I wanted them to see that sailor dream to instill in them an appreciation for a lifestyle that is so different from them,’’ he said as his 2-year-old son, Dan, slept in a stroller nearby.
Boats were also displayed at Battery Wharf, Rowes Wharf, the Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina in East Boston, Moakley Courthouse Dock at Fan Pier, and at Outer Harbor at Cottage Park in Winthrop.
The viewings were relatively free of problems, said Joseph Lawless, head of security for the Massachusetts Port Authority.
“We had no problems with arrests or major medical problems,’’ he said. “Some people were dehydrated and we took care of them. It was a fun-loving crowd.’’
Sail Boston first brought ships to Boston Harbor in 1992. This year’s fleet, which is part of the 2009 Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, arrived in Boston from Charleston, S.C., after visits to Spain, the Canary Islands, and Bermuda. When the ships depart Boston they will head to Halifax, Canada, and then to Belfast.
Today, the ships will be open to public viewing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Charlestown Navy Yard and from noon to 8 p.m. at Fish Pier and the Seaport World Trade Center.
