More than two dozen Class B Tall Ships navigated the East River on Friday, providing a preview of the historic flotilla scheduled for the Fourth of July celebrations. The ships sailed from Hell Gate Bridge to Gravesend Bay, drawing a significant crowd of onlookers to the waterfront.
The procession featured Class B ships, which are smaller than the Class A Tall Ships that will participate in the main event. Among the vessels was the U.S.'s Angelique, a 130-foot schooner designed to emulate 19th-century English sailing vessels. The British Virgin Islands' STV Vela and Monaco's Tuiga, one of the last remaining 15-Metre Class yachts, also took part.
The Lynx proudly displayed the U.S. flag as it sailed. The U.S. Coast Guard patrolled the waterway to ensure the safety of the participating ships. Organizers expect more than half of the ships from Friday's parade to join the larger Sail4th event on Saturday, which is anticipated to be the largest flotilla in history, with nearly 100 ships from around the world.
Thousands of spectators gathered despite high temperatures to witness the event. Some observers noted the symbolic significance of the international fleet's presence, particularly in light of current global and national divisions. Others found the sight to be meditative, recalling personal connections to the sea.