It was in Norfolk last weekend and will be in Baltimore this week. Then onto Boston and New London. Has anyone checked it out? I will probably head to Baltimore over the weekend to check out the tall ships.

Here's a bit of history about it from the website - http://www.opsail.org
History

Operation Sail, often referred to as "OpSail," was the brainchild of late maritime historian Frank Braynard and IBMer Nils Hansell, who shared a vision of fostering global goodwill in an era of global uncertainty by bringing together the world's remaining windships; they envisaged a nautical spectacular that would culminate in a parade of sails in New York Harbor. Operating on little more than contagious passion, the duo traversed the globe to rally support and recruit participants. Their humble efforts eventually gained the attention of President John F. Kennedy, an ardent seaman who enthusiastically offered his endorsement of the idea in May of 1963. "I am looking forward eagerly to Operation Sail," Kennedy wrote. "The sight of so many ships gathered from the distant corners of the world should remind us that strong, disciplined, and venturesome men still can find their way safely across uncertain and stormy seas."

With the assistance of Sail Training International (then the British Sail Training Association), the first Operation Sail was held in the summer of 1964 in conjunction with the New York World's Fair and became instantly iconic. It was met with such success that plans for a second event were soon set into motion. There have been four Operation Sails since the debut sail, each larger than the last and each tied to a landmark American historical event, such as the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 and the restoration of the Statue of Liberty in 1986.

In 1996, Operation Sail received a congressional resolution commending it for its "advancement of brotherhood among nations, its continuing commemoration of the history of the United States, and its nurturing of young cadets through training in seamanship." The resolution also encouraged Operation Sail "to continue into the next millennium to represent and promote the United States of America in the international tall ship community, and to continue organizing and participating in tall ship events across the United States and around the world."

"World peace through world trade is the purpose behind OpSail," Frank liked to say. As one reporter recalls, when he was planning for an OpSail event he could be found at all hours of the day and night zipping around his One World Trade Center office wearing a "lived-in-look cardigan, his OpSail fundraising tie, a pair of slacks with a rip in the seat, and his St. Nicholas smile."

1976 was one of my photo assignments. Clicked 76 rolls of 36. Both in black&white and in color. Really love the Tall Ships, with full sail.

Very cool.

The HMS Bounty will be docked in Annapolis over the weekend as well and they will be giving tours of the ship. That should be neat.

I went and grabbed a pic to sweeten the plot.

Sailed on the Coast Guard Barque Eagle.

Here's the Barque Eagle from OpSail 2012 in Norfolk.

That sounds like a lot of fun

It was a war prize taken from Germany.
It does indeed have a fine Yare.

The USCG Barque Eagle is one I'd like to tour if the lines allow this weekend. Though, I'm looking forward to just being able to see the tall ships.

I hope you do. I hope you enjoy your day. The tall ships are impressive.

This sounds like fun! Awesome to see those sails. First heard about this was for the US Bicentennial Celebration in 1976.

Real cool. It is a good way to showcase that there are still tall ships still around today.

This sounds like fun! Awesome to see those sails. First heard about this was for the US Bicentennial Celebration in 1976.

Real cool. It is a good way to showcase that there are still tall ships still around today.

Not a great picture, since it was at night, but the HMS Bounty is in Annapolis tonight!

HMS Bounty - it's docked in Annapolis through the weekend.

Thank you for these wonderful photo's.

Thanks! I'm happy you liked them. I got to go on the HMS Bounty yesterday and it was pretty cool.

You are welcomed dear lady. Enjoy.