Big Sailing Ships Sail to Boston for a Giant Birthday Party

What Happened on July 10, 2026?

At 4:40 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 10, 2026, some very special guests were spotted on the ocean near Boston. Two enormous old-style sailing ships were traveling toward the city under a cloudy, "unsettled" sky (that means it looked like it might rain).

Meet the Giant Ships

Here are the big boats we learned about:

• Argentinian Libertad and Chilean Esmeralda: These two ships are from Argentina and Chile. Both are longer than 300 feet (imagine a football field!). They were sailing together.
• ARA Libertad (from Argentina): This is the same Argentinian ship mentioned above. It is a "full-rigged" ship — that just means it has many tall poles (masts) and lots of square sails. It is 341 feet long and was built in 1963, which makes it quite old but still working!
• USS Arlington (from the USA): This ship arrived earlier, on Thursday, July 9, 2026. It sailed past a place called Hull and went into Boston Harbor (the calm water near Boston where boats park).

Important: All these ships are part of a big group of "tall ships" (big sailing ships) that came from many different countries around the world!

Why Are They Visiting?

They are here to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Let’s break that down:

• The United States started as a country in 1776.
• 1776 + 250 years = 2026.
• So, it’s like the country’s 250th birthday party!

Where Exactly Did They Go?

• On Friday, July 10, the Libertad and Esmeralda passed by the coast of a town called Scituate (a small place by the sea near Boston).
• They were on their way to Boston to join a fun event called the Sail Boston parade on Saturday, July 11, 2026. A "parade" on the water means ships line up and sail slowly so people on land can watch and wave.

Step-by-Step Timeline of the Visits

1. Thursday, July 9, 2026: The USS Arlington arrives, passing the Hull coast and entering Boston Harbor.
2. Friday, July 10, 2026: The Argentinian Libertad (341 ft, built 1963) and Chilean Esmeralda (over 300 ft) pass Scituate under cloudy skies, heading to Boston.
3. Saturday, July 11, 2026: The Sail Boston parade takes place — all the international tall ships gather to celebrate the US birthday.

Key Things to Remember

Callout – Don’t Forget:

• The tall ships come from all over the globe, not just the U.S.
• The Libertad is a real grandparent of ships: built in 1963 and still sailing!
• The event is a water party for America’s 250th birthday.
• Photos of these moments were taken by Greg Derr for The Patriot Ledger.

Summary

In simple words: On July 10, 2026, huge sailing ships from Argentina and Chile were seen near Boston under cloudy skies. Along with the USS Arlington (which came a day earlier), they are visiting to celebrate the United States turning 250 years old. They will all join a boat parade called Sail Boston on July 11. It’s a worldwide birthday bash on the ocean!

FAQ (Questions Kids Might Ask)

Q1: What is a "tall ship"?
A: It’s a big, old-fashioned boat with very tall poles and big sails. Think of the ships you see in pirate movies or history books.

Q2: Why is 2026 a special number for America?
A: Because 250 years before 2026, in 1776, America became its own country. So 2026 is its 250th birthday!

Q3: What happens at the Sail Boston parade?
A: Many ships sail together in a line on the water near Boston, like a marching band parade but with boats, so everyone can enjoy the show.

Q4: How big is the Argentinian Libertad ship?
A: It is 341 feet long—longer than a football field—and it was built way back in 1963.

Q5: What does "passed off the coast of Scituate" mean?
A: It means the ships sailed past the shoreline (the edge of the land where the water meets) of a town named Scituate, which is close to Boston.