Spirit of Buffalo

I have a nautical streak in my family’s background.

My grandfather, on my father’s side, left his native Scotland as a young lad by forging a birth certificate that aged him enough to qualify as a tall ship’s crewman. He then sailed around the world, experiencing a rough and tumble life at sea that led him to Australia’s outback where he met Jack London— and caught malaria as well. It was a tall ship that also eventually brought him to the shores of America.

So, clearly, I come by my love of water and ships honestly. And honestly, I have to say that the Sprit of Buffalo Tall Ship that today set out from Baltimore on its way to becoming an interactive part of our inner harbor is one of the most exciting waterfront developments I could imagine.

This 73 foot gem is a gift to our community from a philanthropic couple by the name of Richard and Kathy Hilliman. These WNY’ers are returning to WNY following a seven year stint working as crew members on schooners in the Key West, Florida waters.

As it happened, the Hillimans decided that they wanted to own their own tall ship and that they wanted to bring their ship and themselves back home. So they bought the bright red Jolly Roger, re-christened it, The Spirit of Buffalo and made a deal with the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation to moor it at the historic Canal commercial slip.

In formulating this project, the Hillimans and their ship’s captain, Kate Mini, developed a not for profit foundation around the Spriit of Buffalo which they named, the Buffalo Urban Outdoor Eduction Foundation (BUOE). Their purpose, according to the foundation website (www.buoe.org./foundation):

to broaden the horizons of Western New York youth – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – through hands-on science, history and personal development programs in the Lake Erie watershed, while supporting the positive development of the Buffalo waterfront.

Equally as exciting is the news that the ship will be available for private cruises, customized sailing events and pirate gigs!.

The Spirit of Buffalo is scheduled to arrive in Buffalo on Friday May 1st. You can follow the ship and her crew’s progress on Captain Mini’s blog (http://spiritofbuffalo.blogspot.com).

Land Ho!