(8 Jul 2000) English/Nat

New Yorkers have been busy visiting some new arrivals to their shores this weekend.

Thirty tall ships from around 19 countries, as well as a number of international naval vessels, sailed into New York Harbour this week, for the annual Parade of Sail Festival.

On Sunday the ships will move up shore to Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Thousands of people have visited the tall ships that docked in New York City on the 4th of July.

Along with a number of international naval vessels, about 30 large wind-powered ships from 19 countries sailed under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge into the New York Harbour.

Since then, sailors from around the world have provided tours of their ships and have participated in various 'get-to-know-each-other' events.

Like the annual tug-of-war between ship crews.

The winner always plays the New York city police department - the N-Y-P-D- and they have never lost.

It seems in this case, size does matter.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Americans are strong, Japanese..."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, Japanese visitor

This year, the U-S-S Whitney won the International Naval Review competition, and faced off with New York city's finest in the final round.

But the men in blue have clearly been fed on something more substantial than sailor chow.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Q: How does the N-Y-P-D get bigger than the US military?
A: Because we don't have to run every day and get up at five o'clock in the morning and eat these little skimpy meals. We get good eating, we get to sleep, we get a lot of doughnuts and coffee."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, NYPD officer

Naval crews were also on hand to show their boats with both a sense of pride and hospitality.

The 293-foot steel bark, named after Gorch Fock, the German poet killed as a seaman in World War One, is a school ship for the German navy.

It was built in 1958.

The Venezuelan ship, the Simon Bolivar, even inspired some of its visitors to dance

Named after the first man to sail around the world, the Amerigo Vespucci from Italy is one of the most elegant tall ships.

The 331-foot vessel is patterned after an 18th century frigate and serves as a naval training ship.

Built in 1931, it has quarters for more than 500 people and is among the largest vessels in Operation Sail.

But not everyone was interested in ship design.

These young women came to marvel at the ever-so-stylish sailors.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Molto bello (very nice)."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, visitor

The U-S Marines, as usual, were a bit more serious in showing off their combat skill.

They staged a reconnaissance raid off the dock near the U-S-S Intrepid.

Flying in with Cobra combat helicopters, the marines dropped to the ground, secured the airfield.

Then, hanging from a rope clutching nothing but their assault rifles, they were pulled through the air by a transport helicopter.

The show was impressive, but did not inspire everyone to join up with the Marines, just yet.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's scary- I wouldn't like to hang off from a helicopter. I would get sea sick."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, visitor

On Sunday, many of the ships will be moving up the East Coast to Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ] ​​
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]


You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть