Like people, sailing vessels step up when help is needed. This weekend, that means a special day of touring replica ships for folks in Plymouth Harbor.
Because America, a replica of the sailing ship that won Britain’s 100 Pound Cup around the Isle of Wright in 1851, taking the cup from Britain and renaming it America’s Cup, will be docked with Mayflower II for public viewing, tours and even sails.
The whole thing came about almost by chance. Hearing America would be touring — and passing right by Plymouth this summer — Plymouth resident, avid sailor and member of the Plymouth 400 committee Mary Shields reached out with a suggestion: Plan some time in Plymouth. The ship’s crew agreed.
Like America, Mayflower II is a reproduction vessel, one that stands open for visitors daily on the Plymouth waterfront from spring until Thanksgiving each year. It’s been leaving port for a series of major repairs, with the goal of it being in tip-top shape for Plymouth’s 400th anniversary celebration in 2020. Those repairs are costly, and fundraisers are being held.
This America visit will help with that, with some of the proceeds going to help refurbish Mayflower II.
“It’s a case of one historic wooden vessel helping another,” said Katie Sheehan, manager of public relations for Plimoth Plantation, which oversees Mayflower II. “Mayflower II is historic in her own right, being a 1956 reproduction.”
America was built in 1995 and now operates out of San Diego under Next Level Sailing. It sails around the world as an official licensed partner for the America’s Cup Tour. The ship is on the last leg of an extensive tour of the East and Gulf coasts and the Caribbean to raise awareness of the 2017 America’s Cup defense in Bermuda. The America’s Cup is one of the most respected and recognized sailing events in the world today.
America is a beautiful ship. At 139 feet in length, it is dark blue, accented with rich wood, and is kept to perfection by its crew of seven. The ship is a detailed replica of the original, featuring a concave clipper bow with a mid-ship beam. This type of ship was said to be the most seaworthy — and fastest — of all in the 1800s. Ironically, they were not built to win races, but to beat out other ships for business.
Together, the two ships offer visitors a wealth of maritime history, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step aboard two such vessels at the same time. Tomorrow evening, America will also tie up to the Harbormaster Pier in Plymouth Harbor to give more people a chance to get up close. There’s also plans — tide depending — to sail the ship past historic Bug Light under a full moon, a photo opportunity of a lifetime.
Both ships will be open for visits through Saturday of this week. America will berth on the State Pier, right next to Mayflower II.
Visitors can choose between touring the ship and sailing on it. Sail spots are limited and reservations must be made. The first sail heads out today at 11 a.m. The ship will be open for dockside tours from ?2 to 5 p.m. today. Another sail sets off tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., with the ship back at dock for tours from 2:30 to 5 p.m. And on Saturday, the ship sails at noon and opens for dockside tours from 2 to 5 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will go toward funding the Plymouth 400 celebration, a yearlong event in 2020 that will kick off celebrations across the country for our nation’s beginning.
Tickets for each public sail are on sale now and can be purchased online at fareharbor.com/yacht america/. Adult tickets cost $85 and youth tickets (children younger than 17) cost $42.50.
Tickets for dockside tours of America will be available at the Mayflower II ticket booth on the State Pier and cost $15 for adults and $11 for children ages 5-12. Plimoth Plantation is offering a special combination ticket for discounted Mayflower II admission when purchased with an America dockside tour ($22 combo ticket for adults, $13.75 for children). Go to plimoth.org.
Of course, just the sight itself is special. A road trip to Plymouth Harbor to take in two beauties of the sea might just be what you should do this weekend. After Saturday, the America heads to Newport, R.I.
