Rhode Island’s weak economy has left its marine industry hurting, with many workers layed off, others scaled back to part time. The non-profit Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) sees the state’s official Tall Ship, the Oliver Hazard Perry, as a boost to the situation.  “Clearly if there is a $3 million-plus construction project here in the state, it’s going to do enormous things for our business and work environment,” said the group’s Chair Bart Dunbar.

The ship, as it exists now, is a 138-foot steel hull, which OHPRI bought from an organization in Ontario for $325,000.  It had cost almost $3 million to build, but the Canadian group derailed before the ship--intended to be a replica of the British ship HMS Detroit captured by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the War of 1812--could be completed.  That’s when Dunbar and others, many of whom were responsible for bringing past Tall Ships Festivals to Newport, decided it was time for Rhode Island to have its very own Tall Ship to join the 75 Class A (largest category) ships engaged in experiential education worldwide. The ship’s tie to the Rhode Island-born Commodore Perry came as an added, most fortunate, bonus.

“It will be a great asset for the state,” said Paul Harden, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation’s manager of business and workforce development, “in creating short-term jobs while building the vessel and also long-term jobs (when it operates) as an education vessel.”

Harden was among those who met with Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) on Tuesday at Promet Marine Services in Providence, where the Oliver Hazard Perry is dry-docked (for American Bureau of Shipping and Coast Guard inspections and surveys) and workers were enthusiastic about discussing the project. 

The plan is for Promet, a repair facility for large ships, to complete the building of the decks and accommodations and install many of the systems before the Oliver Hazard Perry moves—under its own power--to Newport’s Louis Jagschitz State Fishing Pier where it will be fitted out with masts, spars, rigging, sails, and electronics.  At both venues, Rhode Island workers will be employed (Hall Spars in Bristol, Hood Sails in Middletown, and Newport Shipyard are all slated to be involved, while Dave Bonney of Bay Marine in Barrington is the ship’s naval architect), and in Newport, the ship will be a magnificent work-in-progress that can be followed by the public and enjoyed as an educational experience for all ages.

“Once the ship is operational,” said OHPRI’s Vice-Chair Perry Lewis, “we anticipate an annual payroll of about $1 million.”  He added that on April 1, OHPRI’s offices will be moved to the Oliver Hazard Perry House on Washington Square and an Executive Director will be hired. A partnership with the Naval War College Museum and the Newport Historical Society will create a public presence for the historical significance of the ship and the Perry family.

The positive impact the ship will have on so many levels was quickly embraced by Congressman Kennedy.  “Everything you hit is a ten-strike: history, education, local jobs,” he said, after a full briefing and before boarding the ship, where from its deck a bird’s eye perspective of Promet and Providence Harbor could be had.  

Though OHPRI’s funding has been and will be largely from private sources, the organization has begun the process of applying for a $1.5 million Rhode Island State guaranteed bond and hopes to receive at least some federal funding.

“Federal assistance would get the pump primed for matching dollars and further pledges,” said Dunbar, who is pleased with OHPRI’s private fund raising efforts despite the suffering economy.  “Just in the last six weeks, we have raised over $150,000 with our Plank Owner program ($1000 or more to be an original partner in the ship’s development), and we have made great strides in developing partnerships for significant educational programs.” 

The Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS), Rocky Hill School and URI have shown interest in exploring options, and according to OHPRI’s Fund Raising Chair Tom Goddard, the project has become as much about building a schoolhouse as it has about completing a Tall Ship.  “It’s an experiential platform from which students and college kids can learn about navigation, math, oceanography, sail training, the marine trades and this state’s fascinating maritime heritage,” he said, explaining that the Oliver Hazard Perry’s design drawings allow for 38 students on overnight offshore sails and 85 for day sails.  “It’s modeled most closely on the Sea Education Association program in Falmouth, but this is for Rhode Island.”

Educational Seminar

OHPRI has announced an Educational Symposium that will be held on March 12 in partnership with the University of Rhode Island and the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.  It will gather educators from secondary to college levels to discuss the seemingly endless possibilities for the Oliver Hazard Perry’s integration into Rhode Island school curriculums. “They will learn more about the ship and what she can do for the education system in this state,” said Dunbar, “and we will hear from them what needs they have and programs they want so that we can plan and design appropriately.”

With OHPRI’s intention to be a partner with Rhode Island’s educational systems as well as its marine trade industries, it is no doubt the Oliver Hazard Perry will make a very large impact on this very small state, creating jobs and inspiring young people with diverse educational possibilities, personal growth and memories to last a lifetime.

For more information or to contribute to the Oliver Hazard Perry project, visit www.OHPRI.org or contact Perry Lewis at OHPRI headquarters, 401-841-0080,