Little State, Lot's of Firsts - Interesting Rhode Island Facts

On May 29, 1790, 223 years ago today, Rhode Island was the last of the thirteen colonies to ratify the constitution.  Rhode Island may have been the last colony to become a state but Little Rhody was the location of many "firsts" in the United States.  From sporting events to military events Rhode Island has made a lot of history!

In no particular order here are just a few of Rhode Island's history making "firsts!"

• On May 4, 1776 Rhode Island declared its independence from Great Britain, the first colony to do so. 
• Judge Darius Baker imposed the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, 1904 in Newport.
• In 1640, Portsmouth, RI was the first town in America to be established by a woman, Anne Hutchinson.   
• Rhode Island was home to the first National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1899.
• The first circus in the United States was in Newport in 1774.
• In 1895, Rhode Island was home to the first open golf tournament. 
• Pelham Street in Newport was the first street in the country to use gas-illuminated streetlights.
• In 1652, Rhode Island enacted the first anti-slavery law in North America.
• Rhode Islanders were the first to take military action against England by sinking one of her ships in the Narragansett Bay located between Newport and Providence. 
• Rhode Island was the first state with a democratic government.  Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first practical working model of Democracy.
• The first British troops sent from England to squash the revolution landed in Newport.
• The first torpedo boat "Stiletto" was built in Bristol in 1887.
• North America’s first Quaker meeting house was built here in the 1600s.
• Polo was played for the first time in the United States in 1876 near Newport.

Know any interesting "Rhode Island Firsts" we missed?  Post them on the 12 Meter Charters' Facebook Page - we are always interested in learning new things about our fabulous state!

Fall Foliage in Newport!

Autumn has arrived in Newport and the leaves are just starting to turn.  Green, Red, Yellow and Orange!  Check out a few shots of downtown Newport from last weekend.  Hope you got a chance to get outside and enjoy.  Newport is beautiful in every season!

 

Today's Marine Wildlife Encounter in Newport!

October has been the month of spying ocean creatures in Newport...and we are only a week into the month! Today while cruising on the southern part of Narragansett Bay between Hammersmith Farm and Castle Hill, the Heritage team spotted an Ocean Sunfish or Mola Mola. Ocean Sunfish are the heaviest known bony fish and feed off of jelly fish which are abundant in the Bay right now.  

Keep your eyes peeled when you are out on the water in Newport for more marine animals. What do you think we will see next?

Delightful Day Trip to Stonington, Connecticut!

Yesterday our 12 Meter yachts, Columbia and Heritage, took a little day trip to Stonington, Connecticut to meet a corporate charter. Our 12 Meter Charters' team left Newport at "o-dark thirty" and headed south west. Stonington is just 44 miles from Newport by car but everything takes longer by boat! It took our team 4.5 hours to get to the dock in Stonington. After a quick swim and lunch they were ready for their afternoon of 12 Meter sailing.

Our guests arrived by coach from the beautiful Ocean House in Watch Hill. After a quick introduction  they set off for their afternoon of 12 Meter sailing. Sunny and windy, it was a perfect day! After a wonderful afternoon of sailing in Connecticut, our team headed back to Newport and arrived back to their moorings just after sunset. What a day!

 

Happy Friday Evening from Newport!

She's Back, Heritage arrives in Newport for the 2012 season!

Our bright hulled beauty Heritage is back in Newport!  She arrived late yesterday afternoon after a 12 hour sail from Marblehead, Massachusetts.  Here are a few shots from the long trip(thanks Captain Duncan!).  Welcome back Heritage!

Leaving Marblehead Harbor at 4:30am.  

  

Sunrise aboard Heritage.

 Captain Cedar, Captain Jeff and Mate Gus hard at work! 

 

Heading through the Cape Cod Canal.

 

 

 On to Buzzard's Bay.  What a day for a sail!

 Back at home...Newport Harbor on a lovely May afternoon!  Welcome Heritage!

Goat Island, Newport, Rhode Island

America's Cup 12 Meter, Heritage makes a splash!

Check out America's Cup 12 Meter, Heritage getting launched for the season yesterday! Her freshly varnished 63 foot hull is ready to turn heads again in Newport. Her sailing season starts later in May - book your sail today!


Next, her 90 foot rig goes in...stay tuned for pics.

Set sail for a taste of Newport's Folk Festival!

Come aboard our America's Cup 12 Meter yachts this weekend and as an added bonus you'll get a taste of some great tunes! This weekend, August 1 and 2, Newport's 50th Folk Festival will be held at Fort Adams State Park overlooking Narragansett Bay.

50 years after he appeared at the first Newport Folk Festival, Pete Seeger will headline the event as it gets a new name, George Wein’s Folk Festival 50. For the full line up check out www.folkfestival50.com

The music will be playing from 11:30am to 7:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday at the waterfront festival. Aboard our 12 Meter yachts you will get a glimpse of the sights and sounds of the festival as you enjoy sailing on beautiful Narragansett Bay. Come to Newport this weekend for fantastic, folksy fun aboard our America’s Cup yachts!

Weekend Schedule

Friday, July 31 - 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Saturday, August 1 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Saturday, August 1 - 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Sunday, August 2 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Sunday, August 2 - 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Sunday, August 2 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Call 401-851-1216 for reservations or email sail@12metercharters.com

Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 - Newport's Jazz Festival

Sails available throughout the weekend. Call for details!

Saturday, August 22 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

America's Cup Racing Regatta - watch or participate. Call 401-851-1216 for more information!

Weekend Ticketed Sail Schedule

Sail in Newport, Rhode Island!

Public Ticketed Sails aboard America's Cup Yachts!

$68 per guest

Weekend Schedule

Friday, July 24 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Saturday, July 25 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm and 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Sunday, July 26 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Call 401-851-1216 for reservations or email sail@12metercharters.com

Upcoming Schedule

Saturday, August 22 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm
America's Cup Racing Regatta - watch or participate.

Call 401-851-1216 for more information.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard our America's Cup Yachts!

Set Sail aboard our America's Cup Yachts, what you need to know:
- 2 hour sails priced at $68 per person.
- Sailing May through October. 12 Meter Charters' two-hour Ticketed Sails depart daily, upon demand, from downtown Newport.
- Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Gift certificates available.
- Reservations required. No refunds within 24 hours of sailing.
- For more information about chartering our America's Cup 12 Meters please contact the 12 Meter Charters office at 800.820.1223 or email sail@12metercharters.com Sail aboard an

America's Cup 12 Meter Yacht - The Ultimate Newport Experience!

Come to Newport, RI for the start of summer!

This weekend marks the start of summer! Looking for something great to do? Come to Newport, Rhode Island to kick off summer in style. Newport offers the best that summertime has to offer - beaches, mansions, shopping, tennis, seafood and, of course, America's Cup sailing! Come for just the day or stay the weekend - there is plenty to do in Newport.

During your stay in the "city by the sea" set sail aboard on of our America's Cup 12 Meter yachts for the ultimate Newport experience! This weekend we are offering both America's Cup racing and cruising.

On Friday, June 19 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm we will offer our America's Cup Racing Experience - watch or participate. Click here for more information.

On Saturday, June 20 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm we will offer our Ticketed America's Cup Cruise. Tickets are $68/person. Click here for more information.

For more information about other things to do in Newport this weekend check out http://www.gonewport.com/. We look forward to seeing you in Newport, Rhode Island this summer!