New Lease on Life as Virginia's Historic Tall Ship Gets New Owner

The recently-formed United States Maritime Foundation (USMF) is set to acquire the tall ship Providence with the intention of reopening it as a museum, educational and tourist attraction in the port city of Alexandria, Virginia.

The Providence, a replica of an 18th-century ship that played an instrumental role in the American Revolution, was facing the prospect of fading into oblivion after its previous owner, the Tall Ship Providence Foundation, suspended its educational and tour programs in June. Considering that the ship had become a top tourist destination, the charity said the decision to suspend operations was not made lightly.

A longtime attraction on the Alexandria waterfront, the Providence is a reproduction of the sloop Providence, originally named Katy, which was built in 1769 and was one of a fleet of ships owned by John Brown of Providence. Six years later, the ship would go on to become the flagship of the tiny Rhode Island Navy, which was created to protect the interests of Rhode Island merchants against British naval captains.

The original Katy, however, gained historical significance in 1775, when legislation was passed authorizing her purchase, along with another ship, to serve as the first ships of a new Continental Navy. Following her commissioning into the Navy, she was renamed Providence in honor of both her city of origin and the fact that all the Rhode Island delegates to the Continental Congress were from Providence. The passage of the legislation remains the reason why October 13 is still celebrated as the birthday of the U.S. Navy.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →