Mayor Walsh Welcomes the Marquis De Lafayette's the Hermione to Boston

BOSTON - Saturday, July 11, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today welcomed The Hermione, a replica of the ship that brought France's Marquis de Lafayette to Boston during the American Revolution, to Boston Harbor. Today's event was part of a weekend long celebration of Boston's historical past.

The Hermoine is an 18th century frigate that carried the Marquis de Lafayette and news of French support for America during the American Revolution to Boston 1780- a key turning point in the war against the British. The Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, Inc. (FOHLA), a non-profit educational and cultural organization, is sponsoring its historic return to Boston, as part of her U.S. summer tour up the eastern seaboard. She is docked in  Rowes Wharf and is open to the public for tours on Saturday from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information visit: www.hermione2015.com

Arriving at Fan Pier in the Seaport yesterday, the Portuguese Navy's Tall Ship Sagresarrived as part of Sail Boston 2015. The Sagres is one of the world's most iconic Tall Ships, known by her white sails emblazoned with red crosses. Built in 1937, the 294-foot-long, 3-masted barque was originally a training vessel for the German Navy before she taken as a war reparation by the United States after World War II and given to Brazil in 1948. Acquired by Portugal in 1962, the Sagres serves as a naval training vessel. She has visited more than 60 countries and circumnavigated the globe three times, most recently in 2010 during a nearly yearlong voyage of approximately 35,000 miles.

The Sagres will be open to the public for tours on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12 from 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.; and Monday, July 13 from 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Times are subject to change at the Captain's discretion.

On Sunday, July 12, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 will dock at Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in the Seaport. In honor of Cunard's 175th Anniversary, there will be a public fireworks show in Boston Harbor on Sunday evening at 9:45 p.m., sponsored by Cunard.     

About Sail Boston, Inc.

Since 1992, Sail Boston, Inc., a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization, has hosted more than 300 international tall ships and vessels of interest to Boston and many Massachusetts coastal communities. Sail Boston, Inc. endeavors to develop programs that provide economic development and cultural enrichment for citizens, businesses and visitors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For more information on Sail Boston, Inc. and Sail Boston 2017, please visit SailBoston.com