Tall ships from roughly 20 nations are gathering at Sandy Hook this week to launch America's 250th anniversary celebration in what organizers are calling a once-in-a-generation maritime tribute.
The international gathering, known as Sail4th 250, transforms the New Jersey location into a focal point for the semiquincentennial. The choice of Sandy Hook carries particular weight for state officials given its Revolutionary War significance.
"Nearly 250 years ago, it was here at Sandy Hook that George Washington's army drove the British from New Jersey," said Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a former naval officer, during Friday's coordination meeting. "It was from this day that the last British ships of the Revolutionary War departed."
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, continuously lit since 1764, stands as the nation's oldest working lighthouse and is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, a 27,000-acre national park straddling New York and New Jersey that draws more than 9 million visitors annually.
Vessels are arriving from Italy, India, Peru, Poland, Spain, Sweden and other nations. The centerpiece of the official procession will be the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle, the only active square-rigged sailing vessel in federal service. The Eagle was acquired as a war reparation from Nazi Germany and has served as the training vessel for Coast Guard Academy cadets.
Local officials view the event as more than a maritime display, emphasizing the diplomatic dimensions of hosting allied naval forces.
"America never fights alone because we fight alongside our friends and allies," Sherrill said. "Today, it's a joy to be here to celebrate with all of our allies and friends."
Planning for the event began in April 2020 when organizers started coordinating with foreign military attachés, according to Christopher O'Brien, president of Sail4th 250. This week's events include the main Tall Ships Parade on Saturday morning, followed by an International Naval Review and a coordinated International Aerial Review.
Sherrill drew a comparison to the nation's bicentennial 50 years ago. "Fifty years ago, people lined the Hudson to cheer hundreds of ships from around the world. This week, millions will turn out again for another massive boat parade, united by a shared love of country, pride in our history and hope for the future."
