History

On July 2, 1999, barques, barkentines, schooners, and other Tall Ships representing five countries sailed through the Golden Gate in a display of sail not seen in San Francisco Bay since the Gold Rush. The ships are replicas of 18th or 19th Century vessels and all are over 100 feet long. They received a grand reception from Californians who lined the hills surrounding the bridge and the bridge itself, and filled the bay with welcoming craft of all shapes and sizes. Television stations buzzed the ships in their helicopters to bring the event to Bay Area viewers. Thousands of families visited the ships, and hundreds of people got a chance to sail on one of the ships or to watch the fabulous July 4th fireworks. It was a glorious night for a glorious event.