Denis Sullivan first ship to clear the Liberty Bridge.

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Parade of Sail Opens Tall Ship Celebration 2010

July 16, 2010
By: Stephen Kent

Tall Ship Celebration 2010 kicked off Thursday afternoon with the traditional Parade of Sail. High winds kicked up white caps on the river so sail was not practical, so the majestic ships came down the river under power, but it was still impressive all the same.

The day was hot and steamy but that didn't stop the crowds. Around noon a weather front prompted a severe thunderstorm warning and the loud speakers told visitors to take shelter. But the storms went north and south and the skies cleared for the outdoor performance of Pirates of Penzance later that evening.

Seeing a dozen sailing ships on Bay City's river front is appropriate for a city with a shipbuilding history. From the late 1800's through World War II, the city was a shipbuilding center. "One could portray Bay City as the King of Ship Building on the Great Lakes", said Ron Bloomfield, director and head curator of the Bay County Historical Society's Historical Museum.

The city's history is a story of timber in the great logging ear and shipbuilding from the days of sail through modern steel ships. There was a time when the riverfront was crowded with ships and commerce.

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