James Clayton Sattel’s RI Summer: Tall Ships in Port

Masts & Steeples

Even in 2012, it's possible to imagine how Newport may have looked from the water in the 18th century, as we peer past the masts of Tree of Life to spy the steeple of Trinity Church in the background.

Ships in Port

Although there was no Aquidneck Lobster back in the day, we can see the layers of wharf life, as two ships are in port just past the low-lying commercial buildings of maritime commerce.

The Scale of the Sea

Even historically, there were the very grand ships and the very small vessels that tended to local needs along Newport's busy wharves. Here, a modern lobster boat tucks proudly alongside the long, tall lines of a visiting Tall Ship.

Providence

Our local Tall Ship sits gracefully among modern, somewhat hulking, yachts. The original sloop, Providence, was built by John Brown in Providence in 1768. It was later purchased as the first war ship by the Continental Navy and participated in over 60 battles and captured 40 British ships. Her last captain was John Paul Jones who later became the father of the American Navy. This replica was built in 1975 in Portsmouth.

Aquidneck

Another local beauty, Aquidneck is a beautiful, traditional, 80 foot gaff-rigged schooner.  With her flag blue hull, billowing sails and wood trim, she is a magnificent, elegant vessel whether dockside or under sail. She proves it yet again, as the low light illuminates her lines.

Come Ashore

Here, the modern Bowen's Ferry landing is a slender echo of how these wharves teemed in 17th and 18th century Newport. Bowen's Wharf, the Anchor of Newport since 1760, was the vital commercial port of thriving pre-revolutionary Newport Rhode Island. It is still commercially important today, and it plays a huge role in our culture, as you will see when you visit.

Bowdoin & Gazela

Here, Bowdoin (foreground) and Gazela (background) keep company in port. The 1883 Wooden Barkentine Gazela (formerly Gazela Primeiro) was built in 1901 at the shipyard of J. M. Mendes in Setubal, Portugal, for transporting fisherman to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. She is owned by the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild and her home port is Penn's Landing.

Bowdoin was originally built for Arctic waters in 1921 and is one of the strongest wooden vessels ever constructed. Commissioned by explorer Donald B. Macmillan to facilitate his work in the high northern latitudes, Bowdoin has made 28 trips above the Arctic Circle. She now belongs to the Maine Maritime Academy.

Rigging

Sailing ships was complex business, as evidenced by the massive yet complicated rigging of Pride of Baltimore II, another visiting Tall Ship. Pride of Baltimore II is a reproduction of an 1812-era topsail schooner privateer.  She is Maryland’s working symbol of the great natural resources and spectacular beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region, and a reminder of America’s rich maritime heritage.

Pots & Lines

Again, daily life inserts itself into history. Lobster pots obscure the beautiful hulls of Tall Ships, leaving only their lines dressed colorfully for port, flags fluttering in the background.

Calling All Sailors

The siren call of the exotic oceans still lure sailors to a ship's decks as it has for centuries. Here, this banner aloft announces this ship is taking on crew for a trip to the South Pacific.