18th Century Alexandria Ship Bids Farewell Soon (ICYMI)

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Alexandria's 18th century ship is embarking on its next adventure. The ship will bid farewell to the Port City in a special event on Thursday, June 15 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. The event is at the bus barn at 116 S. Quaker Lane.

The City of Alexandria has given the contract to conserve the ship to Texas A&M University's Conservation Research Laboratory in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M's laboratory, which is also working on an 18th century excavated at the World Trade Center, will conduct the conservation process over multiple years. Afterward, the wooden timbers will return to Alexandria.

During the event, attendees can see the ship being packed up, participate in interactive activities related to the ship and conservation process, and a watch a ceremonial bottle breaking for the ship's bon voyage. The event is free but reservations are required. Donations are also encouraged at the event.

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The 50-foot ship was discovered in late 2015 as Hotel Indigo broke ground on Union Street near the waterfront. A 260-year old warehouse was also uncovered a few months before. Archaeologists had excavated the ship in January 2016, and it has been stabilized in tanks of water until it could undergo professional conservation.

Recently scientists discovered the ship was built with trees chopped down after 1741, eight years before Alexandria was founded. The oldest tree rings date back to 1603, four years before English settlers arrived at Jamestown.

Hotel Indigo, which opened in early May, is offering a special promotion to raise funds for the ship. During the "Save our Ship" promotion, guests can receive 15 percent off the room rate, and the hotel will donate $10 to the Save Our Ship conservation fund. In addition, Rocklands BBQ (across the street at 25 S. Quaker Lane) is offering 20 percent of sales to the ship's conservation.

Reserve your tickets here. Donate to the ship's conservation here. Limited on-street parking will be available.

Image via City of Alexandria