Erie Canal Harbor is gaining a new attraction. The Spirit of Buffalo, a 73' replica schooner currently moored in Baltimore, is heading this way thanks to ex-pat owners Kathy and Richard Hilliman. The couple purchased the boat, currently named the Jolly Rover, with the intention of bringing it to their hometown for charter sails and maritime education sessions. A six week voyage to Buffalo was scheduled to begin yesterday.
The Buffalo News has the story:
The two-masted schooner will be based at the historic Commercial Slip and is certain to add to the growing recreational opportunities at Canal Side, the $325 million redevelopment project now under way there.
Hilliman said the goal is to provide a broad array of for-profit and nonprofit services to the public.
"When we started on this, we wanted to make sure we had something for everyone," Hilliman said during a news conference Monday announcing his family's plans.
On any given day, he said, the ship could serve as a site for a corporate charter or a wedding reception and later double as a floating classroom for students learning about water quality and pollution.
"We've seen the transformation in young people a ship like this can facilitate," said Katherine A. Mini, a family member and one of the founders of the private foundation overseeing the Hillimans' vision.
The schooner is believed to be the first tall ship permanently moored in Buffalo in decades and is similar to the 19th century ships that carried grain, coal and lumber across the Great Lakes.
The 48 passenger boat should be in Buffalo in late-May. Here's the schedule according to the Adventures of the Spirit of Buffalo blog:
April 13 - The Big Announcement - press conference in Buffalo
April 14 - Departure from Baltimore, MD
April 14 - April 20 - Transit to NYC via C&D Canal - Delaware Bay - NJ Coast - East River
April 20 - Pull masts out at King's Point Maritime Academy, Kings Point, NY
April 21 - Down East River, up Hudson River toward Albany
May 1 - In the Erie Canal toward Buffalo
...and that's about as guaranteed as any sailing schedule can be...meaning, it's not.
An editorial today in The Buffalo News says the ship will help create the waterfront WNYers have been clammoring for:
Nothing wrong with fun on an urban waterfront. In fact, there's another bit of common wisdom among waterfront development experts-- nothing brings the crowds like beer, boats and bands.
Cheers!
Image above from the Adventures of the Spirit of Buffalo; Entry image from The Buffalo News.
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Fantastic news! And I remember someone on here telling all Buffalo ex-pats to forget about Buffalo and that Buffalo wasnt their home anymore. Hmmm seems like the ex-pats still really do care and to the benefit of Buffalo and Canalside in this one.