Parade of Sail
There are few events as stunning to view as a parade of tall ships. These majestic sailing vessels will bring delight to the faces of people of all ages – from toddlers to grandparents- so bring the whole family. OpSail2012 Connecticut has many excellent sites for viewing.

On Saturday, July 7th, ships will weigh anchor at approximately 9 a.m, assemble into a single-file parade order and sail east toward New London, departing Niantic at 9:30 a.m. with Eagle at leading the fleet. In addition to the mouth of Niantic Bay, good viewing spots include the Waterford shoreline and Harkness Memorial State Park; Ocean Beach Park in New London, the New London shoreline; and the Groton shoreline, particularly Avery Point and Eastern Point.

Following Eagle will be the the USS Carter Carter Hall, an amphibious dock landing ship; the ketch Ticonderoga; the motorsailer New Horizons; the gaff schooner Tyrone; two Yard Patrol boats from the U.S. Naval Academy; and the 250-foot, three-masted square rig tall ship Cisne Branco from Brazil.

Following Cisne Branco will be the gaff-rigged topsail schooner Appledore V; the auxiliary schooner Brilliant; the Delaware Bay oyster schooner A.J. Meerwald; two additional Yard Patrol boats from the U.S. Naval Academy; the topsail schooner Amistad; the USCG buoy tender Juniper; the gaff rigged topsail schooner Wolf.

Following Wolf will be the gaff rigged schooner Argia; the Marconi-rigged schooner Spirit; the scalloper Regulus; the ferry Munnatawket; and three additional U.S. Coast Guard ships: coastal patrol vessels Sailfish and Ridley and the icebreaking tug Morro Bay.

The Official Parade up the Thames River will begin at 10 a.m., when Eagle rounds New London Ledge Light at the mouth of New London Harbor. At 11 a.m., there will be a flyover by US. Coast Guard aircraft. All of the ships will motor or sail up the Thames River approximately to New London’s City Pier, from which they will disperse to their assigned berths at State Pier, City Pier and Fort Trumbull, all of which are located in New London.

Opening Ceremonies Saturday, July 7th.
Dignitaries and OpSail2012CT board members will officially welcome the fleet in ceremonies at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Fort Trumbull. At the conclusion of welcoming remarks by Gov. Malloy and other dignitaries, OpSail’s Freedom Festival will kick into high gear at Fort Trumbull.

Visit www.opsail2012ct.org and the OpSail2012 Facebook page for event details and news.

Image courtesy of The Day.