A majestic fleet of international tall ships made a notable entrance on New Jersey’s shores this Friday, heralding a rare celebration for America’s 250th anniversary.
Officials and event organizers assembled in Sandy Hook to detail the impressive scale of the historic Sail4th 250 commemoration.
Governor Mikie Sherrill, who once served as a naval officer, stated, “Sandy Hook is where George Washington’s troops forced the British out of New Jersey nearly 250 years ago. This very spot was the departure point for the last British ships of the Revolutionary War.”
The tall ship Bowdoin majestically navigates the East River during a preview parade on July 3, 2026, in New York City. (Jeremy Weine/Getty Images)
This site is also notable for hosting the country’s oldest lighthouse that has been continuously operating since 1764, providing guidance to countless mariners over the centuries.
The area is now preserved as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, a 27,000-acre national park spanning New York and New Jersey that welcomes more than 9 million visitors annually.
The tall ship Lynx sails under the Manhattan Bridge along the East River during a preliminary parade on July 3, 2026, in New York City. (Jeremy Weine/Getty Images)
Roughly 20 nations have dispatched their premier tall ships to participate in the celebration, with vessels arriving from as far away as Italy, India, Peru, Poland, Spain and Sweden.
The legendary U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle, which was acquired as a war reparation from Nazi Germany, will lead the official parade of ships.
It is the only active square-rigged sailing vessel in federal service and has been sailed by every Coast Guard Academy cadet.
New Yorkers watch as the Liberty Clipper sails along the East River during a preliminary parade on July 3, 2026, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Jeremy Weine/Getty Images)
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Sherrill said the presence of the international crews represents something far deeper than a simple tourist attraction, noting the event is a testament to the strength of global security alliances.
“America never fights alone because we fight alongside our friends and allies,” Sherrill said. “Today, it’s a joy to be here to celebrate with all of our allies and friends.”
Planning for the monumental maritime review has been underway since April 2020, when organizers first began coordinating with foreign military attachés, according to Christopher O’Brien, president of Sail4th 250.
The main festivities will kick off Saturday morning and will include the Tall Ships Parade, International Naval Review and a coordinated International Aerial Review.
“Fifty years ago, people lined the Hudson to cheer [on] hundreds of ships from around the world,” Sherrill said, referring to the country’s 1976 bicentennial celebration. “This week, millions will turn out again for another massive boat parade, united by a shared love of country, pride in our history and hope for the future.”