In Two Years Before the Mast , his classic, 1840 account of life aboard clipper ships, Richard Henry Dana, Jr., wrote, “There is witchery in the sea … and in the mere sight of a ship.” The city named after him (San Juan Bay in his day) starts its annual Tall Ships Festival with the bewitching sight of an armada of Tall Ships making their stately way into the harbor. There’ll be cannon battles, ship tours and cruises, sea chanteys, living-history encampments including blacksmiths and scrimshaw artists, pirate camp (!), gold panning and treasure hunts for the kids, exotic birds, hula performances and more. Proceeds help support the organizing Ocean Institute.
Sun., Sept. 13, 5 p.m., 2009
