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150th Anniversary of the Great Republic

 

Boston Harbor Seaport Festival

For additional information go to: www.bostonseaportfestival.com

06/29/2003 - ECS - The Boston Harbor Seaport Festival celebrating the launching of the Great Republic took place this past May 31 in East Boston, even though the actual launch date for Donald Mckay's giant clipper ship was on October 4, 1853. By all accounts the May 31st festivities went off well, but unfortunately I was unable to attend the celebration like I did last year for the launching of the Sovereign of the Seas. You can read all about the actual launching of the Great Republic on The Era of the Clipper Ships Web page at: Great Republic. The McKay family would like to thank all the parties responsible for putting on the Boston Harbor Seaport Festival this year.

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May 31-June 1

The following is an overview of activities being planned to celebrate the opening of the summer season in and around Historic Boston Harbor on May 31 and June 1st. There are five major venues for family oriented activities: Thompson’s Island and throughout the Boston Harbor Islands National Park, the Inner Harbor, the Navy Yard in Charlestown, and Piers Park in East Boston. Sponsors are invited to participate.

May 31st Daytime Schedule

  • Boston by Sea Cruises (Noon-4 PM)

Special season-opening cruise from Rowes Wharf to Piers Park, East Boston. Boston by Sea is an original 90-minute tour featuring the dramatic true stories that shaped Boston’s--and the nation’s--future. As you cruise the harbor, enjoy authentic maritime music, true Pirate history (for kids), and see the USS Constitution, lighthouses, Islands, and more. Space for 200 guests from Rowes Wharf to Piers Park; additional cruise boarding at 2 PM from Piers Park (times subject to change)

Option to conduct as a ticketed event for sponsors and friends, provide luncheon

Contact: Julie Crockford, Boston History Collaborative 617-350-0358
  • 150th Anniversary of the Great Republic (1 — 5 PM) Piers Park, East Boston

Celebrate the anniversary of the tragic launch and rebuilding of the world’s largest wooden sailing ship, a clipper ship built by Donald McKay in East Boston in 1853. Russ Tryder is contacting ships to participate and to be available for on-board visits by the public in East Boston.

Historical presentation and family friendly activities in Piers Park.

Activities in conjunction with East Boston Chamber of Commerce (proposed)

Contact: Julie Crockford, Boston History Collaborative 617-350-0358
  • Guided Tours of East Boston and the Donald McKay homestead (2-5 PM)

TBD by the Eagle Hill Civic Association and Ralph Vertuccio. (proposed)
  • Sail Boat Rides (2-4 or 4-7 PM)

Provided by Piers Park Sailing Center, East Boston

Children and adults welcome; rides are free on a first come, first serve.

Option to conduct a sail boat race

Contact: Jeff Kuller, Piers Park Sailing Center
  • National Parks Service Gateway to Summer Celebration, Charlestown Navy Yard (10 am to dusk)

The fun will include volunteers, rangers, and interpreters from a wide range of Massachusetts Bay sites sharing the stories of these stirring American landmarks in one place for the first time. Demonstrations, costumed guides, National Parks including: Adams, Lowell, and Salem.

Contact: Sean Hennessey, NPS
  • Boston Harbor Islands National Park (All Day)

Opening Day events will feature trips to Thompson’s with options to continue on to Spectacle and Georges Islands. May marks the season opening of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. All are welcome to enjoy live music, picnicking, sports, and a scavenger hunt on this family-friendly day on Thompson Island. Boat cruise from the Charlestown Navy Yard to Thompson Island will depart Pier One at the Navy Yard.

Contact: Kathy Abbott, Island Alliance, Peter Lewenberg, EOTC
  • New England Aquarium (TBD)

Activities on the plaza

Contact: Bill Curran
  • World Ship Society Tug Muster (10 AM)

Charlestown Navy Yard, Blessing of Fleet — Parade to Castle Island, tug pushing contests and line heaving, award ceremony.

Contact: Harold Lincoln, World Ship Society

 

May 31st Evening Schedule

  • Tented Reception at Fan Pier (8:00PM)

Nautical evening of music and dancing during Parade of Lights and Fireworks

Ticketed event, cash bar

Contact: Conventures
  • Boston Harbor Parade of Lights and Fireworks (8:30 PM)

Lighted vessels parade from Castle Island to inner harbor along Boston waterfront

Awards to best decorated boats

Barge fireworks display over Boston Harbor

Contact: Conventures

June lst

  • Boston Harbor Schooner and Smaller Sailing Class Races

11 AM to 3PM

Race to begin and end in Boston, route depending on wind,

Contact: Greg Muzzy, Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships and Jeff Kuller, Piers Park Sailing Center

June 2

MBTA Water Transportation Awareness Week

GOAL: The Fifth Annual Water Transportation Awareness Week will celebrate 27 years of a continued commitment by the MBTA to strengthen and expand water transportation. To further heighten the awareness of water transportation services, the MBTA will organize a coalition of local businesses, state agencies, and private boat operators to participate in the weeklong celebration through various promotions and mass marketing of all water transportation excursion and commuter services.

Contact: Sharna Small-Borcelino, MBTA Manager of Private Carrier Services

WHERE Magazine partnership

80,000 pieces, 65,000 to be inserted in May issue of magazine, 15,000 for other promotional use by Festival participating organizations.

Boston Harbor Islands, Open

Boston by Sea cruises and other Harbor cruises, Open

National Parks of Massachusetts Bay, Open

Working together, with all these great activities and the fireworks as a key draw, we improve the opportunity to get media attention, get exposure, and get people en mass to experience what to see and do in, on, and around Boston Harbor. Thanks to everyone who has agreed to work on producing and promoting one big Boston Harbor festival.

Background history:

McKay’s Great Republic, the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built, was launched in 1853. Her launch day was declared a holiday in Boston, and more than 30,000 people lined the harbor front to see her. Tragically, she later caught fire at New York while loading for her maiden voyage to Liverpool, and burned down to the waterline. Notwithstanding that she was rebuilt as a smaller vessel, she was still fast enough to make a 92-day passage to San Francisco, and on December 12, 1856, made a 24-hour run of 413 nautical miles. Great Republic had a working life of 19 years. In March of 1872, worn out from hard driving, she was abandoned in sinking condition near Bermuda.

For additional information go to: www.bostonseaportfestival.com

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