Tall Ships Erie 2022: Explore the tall ships coming to this year's festival
Seven majestic tall ships, led by Erie's own U.S. Brig Niagara, will participate in Tall Ships Erie 2022.
The ships, which will include local favorites like the Lettie G. Howard, as well as international vessels like the Nao Trinidad from Spain, will make their way into Presque Isle during the festival's Parade of Sail on Aug 25 at 4 p.m.
"Any place on Presque Isle Bay where you can see the bay is a good place to watch the Parade of Sail," said William Sabatini, executive director and fleet captain of the Flagship Niagara League.
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The festival grounds will be open Aug. 26-28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the foot of State Street, at the Erie Maritime Museum and Bayfront Convention Center.
The Lettie G. Howard and Appledore IV will be available for day sails while the others will be open for deck tours only. A large rubber Mama and Baby Duck — the "World's Largest Rubber Duck" — will also be on display in the harbor area located directly behind the Erie Maritime Museum.
Mama and Baby duck:World's Largest Rubber Duck returning to Tall Ships Erie for 2022 festival
Here's a rundown on each vessel and where you can find them during the festival, according to the Tall Ships Erie website and Sabatini.
U.S. Brig Niagara
The U.S. Brig Niagara is a reproduction of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's victorious vessel from the War of 1812's Battle of Lake Erie. The vessel will be docked at Dobbins Landing at the foot of State Street during the festival.
Flag: U.S.
Homeport: Erie
Built: 1988
Sparred length: 198 feet
Website: facebook.com/flagshipniagara or sailfnl.org
Come aboard:Want to tour the U.S. Brig Niagara at Tall Ships Erie? Here's what you'd see
Lettie G. Howard
The Lettie G. Howard is believed to be the last surviving example of a Fredonia fishing schooner, a type of vessel once commonly used in the North Atlantic. The vessel will be docked at Dobbins Landing at the foot of State Street during the festival.
Flag: U.S.
Homeport: New York City, New York; loaned to Erie
Built: 1893
Sparred length: 125 feet
Website: bit.ly/lettie_info
Empire Sandy
As Canada's largest schooner, the Empire Sandy is certified to carry up to 275 passengers and can seat 166 passengers at one time for dining purposes. The vessel will be docked at the Bayfront Convention Center during the festival.
Flag: Canada
Homeport: Toronto, Canada
Built: 1943
Sparred length: 203 feet
Website: empiresandy.com
Appledore IV
The schooner was originally commissioned by Herb and Doris Smith and built by Mark Treworgy. The name "Appledore" was chosen by Herb as a tribute to his wife who he first saw while sailing a small boat off Appledore Island. The vessel will be docked at Dobbins Landing at the foot of State Street during the festival.
Flag: U.S.
Homeport: Bay City, Michigan
Built: 1989
Sparred length: 85 feet
Website: baysailbaycity.org.
St. Lawrence II
Since the ship was designed with a level of complexity that requires a high degree of teamwork, the ship is part of a sail training program led by Brigantine Inc., and is designed to broaden the horizons of youth. The vessel will be docked at the Bayfront Convention Center during the festival.
Flag: Canada
Homeport: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Built: 1953
Sparred length: 72 feet
Website: sailtraininginternational.org
Nao Trinidad
The Trinidad is a replica of a 15th-century square sail ship, built to celebrate the Spanish city of Huelva’s 525th anniversary. The vessel will be docked at the Bayfront Convention Center during the festival.
Flag: Spain
Homeport: Huelva, Spain
Built: 2018
Sparred length: 95 feet
Website: bit.ly/trinidad_info
Pride of Baltimore II
Built in response to the need for fast ships that could elude British naval vessels, the success of these clippers inspired the Royal Navy’s attack on Baltimore in 1814, where Francis Scott Key found inspiration to write the “Star-Spangled Banner.” The vessel will be docked at the Bayfront Convention Center during the festival.
Flag: U.S.
Homeport: Baltimore, Maryland
Built: 1987-88
Sparred length: 157 feet
Website: pride2.org.
A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Tall Ships Erie 2022: Explore the tall ships in this year's festival