The SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, the largest square-rigged sailing ship built in this country in over 100 years, is nearing completion. The 132′ long three masted steel ship has been hauled at at Newport Shipyard for final exterior work and painting. On the west coast, the Spar Shop at Gray’s Harbor Historical Seaport fabricated the masts, yards and spars on the largest tracer-lathe in North America. The masts, yards and spars have been delivered to the Perry‘s crew of riggers in Portsmouth, R.I. who are finishing the standing rigging. Likewise, Hood Sailmakers is completing the ship’s 14,000 square feet of sails.
From the OHP press release:
“The Perry is a modern, steel-hulled ocean-going civilian sail training vessel, with a 13 ½ story rig and 20 sails (made by Hood Sailmakers in Middletown, R.I.) with 14,000 sq. ft. of sail area,” says the ship’s Captain Richard Bailey, a Wellfleet, Mass. native greatly respected for his previous Tall Ship commands and his knowledge of maritime traditions, education and their combined relevance in the modern world. “Her design is based on centuries-old tradition, but her equipment is anything but antiquated.”
In addition to her three decks, modern galley and Great Cabin (where captains, in days of yore, entertained), the Perry sports, among other things, high-end navigation and communication systems, a state-of-the-art science lab (designed under the guidance of the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography), and wheelchair accessibility (including accessible below deck staterooms, heads and a wheelchair lift). The Great Cabin will be used less for entertaining and more for education in its capacity as a classroom outfitted with monitors displaying real-time navigation and meteorological data. The other classroom space will house laptop computers (donated by Intel), interactive SMART boards (donated by Shanix Technologies, Inc.) and a well-stocked library.
“Below decks, she is really not like any other Tall Ship that is sailing out there today,” says Bailey, who notably ran “HMS” Rose for 20 years before it was bought by Hollywood producers for the movie Master and Commander. “Above decks, however, she is a completely traditional Tall Ship, and in that respect there are many artisans who will have had a hand in contributing to her character.”
By the nature of sailing itself, the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be energy efficient, powered by the wind whenever possible. To reduce its energy footprint further, the ship’s diesel engines and generators will run on biodiesel (supplied by Newport Biodiesel), and ultra-high capability Ensolve separators will cleanse oily waste water down to 2-15 ppm using naturally occurring microbes. On board, the focus will be on sustainable living: conserving water, minimizing trash and reducing food waste. Trash will be separated and all plastics taken ashore for recycling, while black water will be treated in an onboard waste water treatment plant.
“It is expected that with all these ecologically responsible practices in place, along with first-hand experiences of the fragility of ocean life, a sense of pride, stewardship and passion for the marine environment will be instilled in our shipmates,” Bailey said.
To celebrate the arrival of the newest sail training ship, the non-profit Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island will be holding a fundraising gala at the Newport Shipyard on July 5, 2014. The event will pay tribute to the completion of Rhode Island’s official Sailing Education Vessel; and honor the organization’s three shipyard partners – Newport Shipyard, Senesco Marine and New England Boatworks – which have demonstrated the outstanding quality of Rhode Island’s skilled marine trades. Throughout the evening, guests will be able to tour the ship at dockside and participate in a live and silent auction, all while enjoying cocktails, dinner and dessert. Proceeds from the night will go toward the organization’s educational programs.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and will sell out fast! For more information contact Carol Hill, 401-841-0080
Every good wish to CAPT. Richard Bailey with his new command now nearly ready for sea – and the hurricane season.
When the “Bounty” was lost CAPT. Bailey had an alternative point of view to most of us Masters. The Final Report on that tragedy did not agree with his opinion in support of a friend which is to be admired.
Good Watch.
Perry’s younger brother, Commodore Matthew Perry was a colleague, friend and rival of my great-great-great grandfather.The two had opposite theories for steam propulsion in naval and commercial vessels. Commodore Perry advocated a side wheel propulsion method while Commodore Stockton and John Ericsson designed and built a vessel with a centerline shaft beneath the hull with a single screw. After some initial difficulty with rudder location was modified the centerline screw propulsion model became the accepted method. Unfortunately there was some wrangling between Ericsson and Stockton as to who should take design for the concept. Ericsson should have rightly claimed the credit.
Sorry Granddad.
O.H. Perry will be ready when it’s ready. I like to say that the beginning (not the end) is in sight. Not all the spars have arrived, and the interior subcontractors labor on (& on). Like most shipbuilding ventures, this one will be neither on-time or nor under-budget, but we draw close. Standby for a more informative forthcoming press release.
As for Robin Walbridge, there has of course not yet been a USCG
‘final report.’ NTSB (with more ‘planes, trains and automobiles’ experience) issued a very brief finding. I think I will simply stand by the statement I issued at the time of Bounty’s loss:
“Robin Walbridge was a friend of mine. We met when he worked for me aboard the School Ship ‘HMS’ Rose (www.hmsrose.org) in the early 1990s and later I hired him for some work with Bounty of which I was sailing as contract captain. The owners liked him and he began nearly two decades of solid service to that ship. As recently as this summer we sailed our ships together [Gazela (http://www.gazela.org/ships/gazela/gazela.htm) & Bounty] to port visits between Norfolk and Nova Scotia. Bounty looked better than ever and her crew had a number of stellar performers who I had my eye on for future Oliver Hazard Perry (www.ohpri.org) employment. I await a casualty report about Bounty’s loss; I feel no desire to second guess, indict or judge. If Robin made a mistake, he appears to have paid a far greater price than some who have done far worse.”
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