Portland in Maine is a natural and frequent stop in the Schooner Amistad's Itinerary. Docking at State Pier at historic waterfront brings always lots of attention tho the Schooner and the ship's crew feels at home there. Recently, the close cooperation with the Portland's Amistad Arts Collective makes The Schooner's visit even easier and more fruitful. Visiting Portland means now visiting good friends.
PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- The schooner sailed into Casco Bay in the fog on Thursday morning. But by the time it docked in Portland Harbor, the sun was shining.
The ship is a replica of the original "La Amistad". Fifty-three Africans were captives on board La Amistad and were supposed to be sold into slavery. They mutinied, were jailed and tried. In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme court freed them.
Today, the Amistad Freedom Schooner travels the world as a floating classroom, educating people--especially school children--about the past and about the importance of creating a better future.
Amistad volunteer Hamish Abdul Allah says the message is simple but powerful. "So this shows to me that people, no matter your color, people who believe in human beings, coming together and working for a goal." says Abdul Allah.
The Freedom Schooner Amistad will be in Portland through Thursday, August 20th. The schooner will be open for public viewings and sails. Public sails are $45 for adults or $25 for children 12 and under. Family passes are also available.
Amistad's golden eagle basking in the moonlight in Portland, Maine. The schooner made a brief stop here on her way to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The current crew of Freedom Schooner Amistad is unique in at least two aspects. First, I have never seen so many musically talented people on-board at once. Second, we now have our very own US Coast Guard unit aboard! Two cadets from US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Chris Chantarasopak and Xiaobin Tuo joined the crew and will sail to Canada.
The other recent novelty (at least for me) is that the schooner is lately maneuvering much faster. Somehow Captain John Beebe-Center has manged to lift a curse from the ship. Amistad was, for a long time considered among schooners fans, unique in her nautical characteristics and impossible to dock and undock with grace. That has changed. It is pleasure to watch her now.
PORT VISITS 
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