Old Harbor Life-Saving Station. Photo by Michael DiGioia.
Celebrate All Things Maritime
At the Annual Cape Cod Maritime Days
By Kahrin Deines
April 23rd, 2007
Bold and brash, the Cape Cod land spiral twists its way outwards into the Atlantic Ocean with what seems to be a determined independence. Autonomous as its shape makes it appear, however, the meanderings of the Cape Cod land mass resulted in close to 600 miles of coastline, a border fact that has compelled it to strike a longstanding alliance with the ocean.
 | Provincetown, no exception to the Cape rule of symbiosis with the ocean, will host a number of events to honor its rich maritime heritage. |
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The sheer length of this shared border with the ocean has made the sea central to the cultures and towns of the Cape. From the Wampanoag Indians to the early English settlers, the Portuguese fishermen and Yankee whaling captains of later days, and even, today’s inhabitants, the Cape has always had a marriage with the maritime.
To celebrate this long partnership with the ocean, each year Cape Codders host the Maritime Days, a series of events that honor the various roles the sea has played in Cape history. From bow to stern, the whole length of Cape Cod comes together for the celebration, which includes scheduled events in almost every town.
Provincetown, no exception to the Cape rule of symbiosis with the ocean, will host a number of events to honor its rich maritime heritage. Viking Princess Cruises will offer tours that explore the history of Provincetown’s Harbor, which is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. They will also host Critter Cruises for the kids, as well as sunset cruises. (To find out more about tour times and dates, call 508.487.7323.)
Meanwhile, there are many other events for the land-lubbers. On May 12, Jim Coogan, a Cape Cod historian and author will share some yarns about sea captains, great storms, and brave life-saving efforts at the Province Lands Visitor Center from 2 to 3 p.m.
In addition, the Cape Cod National Seashore, home to about 40,000 acres of shoreline that borders the fabled “graveyard of the Atlantic,” will open up the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station for exploration on May 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. Descendents of a former station keeper will be on site to share stories and pictures about the Life-savers’ work. The National Park Service, in collaboration with the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, will also lead a 2-hour walking tour of Provincetown on May 15 between 9 and 11 a.m.
To find out more about Cape Cod Maritime Days events, go to www.ecapechambercom/MaritimeDays/.
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