She’s an impressive sight under sail in the seas that surround us, according to the commander of Rhode Island’s tall ship, the Oliver Hazard Perry.
“I’m hard-pressed to find anybody that is not captivated by her power, her beauty,” Capt. Jonathan Kabak said. “When we show up somewhere, people take note. She is breathtaking.
“We get to sail on the waters of Narraganset Bay, Rhode Island Sound (and) Block Island Sound, where the sailing is often spectacular. The views are magnificent.”
Kabak said the 1800s-style tall ship is the largest, regularly operating civilian sail training vessel in the United States.
“Rhode Island’s flagship stands proud at 131 feet tall. She’s 200 feet tip to tip or sparred length we like to say, and about 135 feet on deck,” Kabak said. “Add to that three masts, 20 sails and seven miles of rigging. This is the official maritime ambassador for the Ocean State.
The ship’s home port is Fort Adams in Newport.
“What makes this ship so interesting, is what looks old on the outside is thoroughly modern on the inside,” Kabak said.
Rhode Island’s tall ship was christened in honor of South Kingstown’s native son, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, naval hero of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Perry is famous for telling his commanding officer and future president, Gen. William Henry Harrison, after the victory against the British, that “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”
Oliver Hazard Perry’s namesake was launched in 2015 — inspired by tall ships from around the world sailing to “Newport ’76" for the Bicentennial.
“And out of that came an opportunity to create an organization called Tall Ships Rhode Island, which worked to put young people on tall ships for character-building experiences at sea,” Kabak said.
Now the ring of the ship’s bell could also double as a school bell. The Oliver Hazard Perry has embarked on an educational voyage — serving as a floating classroom for Rhode Island high school students.
Kabak said it is about forging a bond with the sea. He calls the program “Ocean Access,” a chance to learn about the boundless opportunities beyond recreational sailing.
“In order to build resilient communities, you need great careers,” he said. “So part of our portfolio of programs are workforce development programs for the maritime industry, the marine trade and the defense sector, all of which are key industries here in Rhode Island that support our economic growth.”
Some Rhode Island ninth graders spend a day on the Bay. Others engage in two-day sessions for 11 weeks learning the ropes.
“Our students learn every aspect of the ship, so they learn to handle lines, they learn how to work the engine controls, help out in the galley,” Kabak said. “They set the sails, they learn a little bit about marine navigation, they learn the history of the bay.”
Serenity Cooper, a 15-year-old attending the Met High School East Bay, enjoyed her experience aboard ship so much last year, that she signed on for another hitch.
“This experience has been life-changing, actually,” she said. “We learned quite a bit about physics. I learned a lot more about the water like its currents”
Cooper said she discovered a knack for working in the engine room and wants a seafaring career.
Roselyn Lopez-Morales described her experience as an eye-opener. The senior at the Met High School Providence is already charting her future course.
“I’m interested in attending Maine Maritime Academy where I want to do their program in vessel operations and technology which is basically learning about navigation,” she said.
However, Kabak said the biggest lesson for students aboard this tall ship was “Understanding that there is no ocean state without their connectivity to the ocean.”
“And the opportunities that we offer and the programs, the experiences are really a conduit for Rhode Islanders to build a profound, meaningful connection to the sea, and in turn become better stewards,” he said. “I like to say people come for the pirate ship and stay for the opportunities.”
