Local Boats to Grace Tall Ships Parade of Sail

The Sail Portsmouth Talls Ships Parade of Sail on Friday morning is shaping up to be an impressive fleet of historic vessels, fireboats and several locally owned vessels, according to the event organizers.

The Parade of Sail officially kicks off the , but this year the parade could feature more local vessels than it has in recent years.

According the Sail Portsmouth web site, the parade will begin at Buoy 2KR at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor around 8:30 a.m. The Pride of Baltimore II, the Providence and the Piscataqua Gundalow will assemble less than a mile away from New Castle.

The Portsmouth Fireboat will lead the parade, followed by the Pride of Baltimore II, the Providence, the Piscataqua Gundalow and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard fireboat, according to the group's website.

The Providence and Pride of Baltimore II will render cannon salutes when they enter the mouth of Piscataqua River in New Castle. When the ships reach Peirce Island, they will receive cannon salutes from Four Tree Island and the two ships will return the salutes, according to Sail Portsmouth organizers. The vessels are scheduled to dock at the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier by 9:30 a.m. and will open to public tours at 1 p.m.

"Private vessels should stay behind the Shipyard Fireboat and observe a 100 yard security zone away from the Tall Ships while underway. Follow the rules of navigation at all times," reads the Sail Portsmouth website.

A welcoming ceremony will be held at noon at the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier on Peirce Island followed by the first of three days of day sails and deck tours.

The Sail Portsmouth event runs from Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15.

A day before the festival begins, members of the public will be able to go for  from the UNH Marine Lab dock in New Castle on Thursday, July 12. They can also purchase tickets to sail on these two vessels during the Parade of Sail into Portsmouth Harbor.

According to the Piscataqua Maritime Commission website, tickets for the two-hour day sails will be $50 each and $75 each for the Parade of Sail. The two-hour day sails will be conducted at 9 a.m., noon, 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.

The Piscataqua Gundalow will also offer two-hour days sails during the weekend event which goes from July 12 to July 15.

The ship tours will be conducted on Friday, July 13, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Sunday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The tour tickets are $9 for adults and children under 12 are free.

The Sail Portsmouth event will also feature a large tent with many exhibits, some of which will offer visitors a chance to learn more about how Portsmouth and Seacoast contributed to the War of 1812, which is marking its 200th anniversary this year.

In June, Lawrence Job, vice president of Sail Portsmouth, said The Providence, which was captained by John Paul Jones, took several British ships during the Revolutionary War. He said the Pride of Baltimore was one of several vessels that accepted letters of mark from President John Madison to become privateers that reaped the rewards of captured British cargo during the War of 1812.

Under the tent where Sail Portsmouth offers several historical maritime exhibits, Job said UNH Marine Docents will offer historical videos to educate the public about both vessels, as well as how Portsmouth contributed to the War of 1812.

For kids who love pirates, the New England Brethen of Pirates will have plenty of reenactors swashbuckling their way around the Tall Ships and the commercial fish pier all weekend, according that group's Facebook page.