Watch CBS News

17 Tall Ships To Sail Into New York City For OpSail 2012

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Tall ships from around the world will be making their way to New York Harbor next month.

The sailing vessels will be part of OpSail 2012, an event organized to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner.''

1010 WINS' Stan Brooks reports

Podcast

OpSail Executive Director Chris O'Brien promises it'll be a sight to behold when on the morning of May 23 a "majestic flotilla" of 17 international tall ships and war ships will sail under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and proceed up to the George Washington Bridge.

"New York has always been our base and New York has always welcomed sailors and their great ships," O'Brien said.

The event will kick off on that same day as the start of Fleet Week.

Tall ships are large vessels rigged with traditional sails. The participating ships hail from countries including Indonesia, Spain, Brazil and France.

The ships will be open to for public visitation through May 30 in Manhattan near Pier 86,  in Brooklyn at the Port Authority Piers and on Staten Island at the Sullivans Pier at Stapleton.

Previous OpSails have been held in 1964, 1976, 1986, 1992 and 2000.

Are you excited? Let us know below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.