Jeanie Johnston visits Savannah, Georgia
2nd May to 12th May, 2003

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Jeanie docks at 117 W. River Street (across from Kevin Barry's Pub) on Friday 2nd May. The ship will be open to visitors from from the afternoon of her arrival, through Saturday, 3rd and Sunday 4th May. Also open from Weds 7th to Saturday 10th May, and she will depart for Charleston, South Carolina on Monday 12th May.

In addition to tours of the Jeanie Johnston, a wide variety of activities will take place while she is in port in Savannah. During the 22nd Annual Savannah Seafood Festival, May 2-4, the attractions will also include live music and performances, arts and crafts and sensational seafood.

The ship will be open to visitors as follows:

  • Friday, May 2, 2003 - 4:00 PM ­ 6:30 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, 2003, 10:30 AM ­ 6:30 PM
  • Wednesday to Saturday, May 7-10, 2003, 10:30 AM ­ 6:30 PM

    Admission charges are:

  • $7 for adults;
  • $5 for seniors and children 12 and under;
  • Family packages for $20

    For further information please contact The Savannah Waterfront Association at 912-234-0295 or www.savriverstreet.com, see also www.savannahirish.org.

    Map showing location of River Street, Savannah
    		•
    Here is a report from Savannah by Bill Mylett, who was present at the welcoming ceremony for the Jeanie. Bill was the first US shipwright to work on the ship in Ireland.

    It was a warm start to the Jeanie Johnston's visit to Savannah. Temperatures were in the high 80's and humid for the welcoming ceremony on Friday, where Kevin Barry's pub owner Vic Power provided food and drinks for those attending.

    It was no coincidence the Jeanie was docked across the street from Kevin Barry's, where more than a few of Jeanie's crew were to be found after hours. Over the weekend temperatures got up into the 90's, and the Seafood Festival on River Street brought hundreds of visitors to the Jeanie on Saturday and Sunday. I was delighted to be able to help out on the ship directing traffic and answering questions.

    		 Welcoming Jeanie to Savannah
    Welcoming ceremony for Jeanie's
    arrival in Savannah
    Activity around the ship on River Street
    Visitors to the ship also had
    the opportunity to buy souvenirs

    It was wonderful to see the finished ship; the last time I had seen her in person was in Ireland in 1998, when we were fabricating the frames and bolting them to the keel. As one who helped to build the ship, I shared the abundant pride in the ship that the crew exhibited the whole time in Savannah.

    I had the chance to get to know the crew over pints (I won't say how many), and as I showed them around Savannah. Their enthusiasm for the ship and what it signifies was wonderful to see and feel. This is a dedicated crew who care deeply about the Jeanie Johnston and her mission, and are passionate about their work.



    Several of the passengers/crew from the Palm Beach leg stayed in Savannah to help with hosting visitors and were equally proud and enthusiastic. Peggy, Cara, Joe, and Jack worked long, hot days with the crew and all were like one big family. I was sorry to not be able to help out the rest of the week, as I was preparing to move back home to the Chesapeake Bay area, where I'll be helping with the preparations for the Jeanie's arrival in Baltimore.

    Several people should be mentioned here who helped in the preparations for the arrival in Savannah: Jimmy Buttimer of the Savannah Irish Festival and members of the AOH (who organized a concert by Andy Stewert and Gerry O'Beirne), and Vic Power, who all gave of their own time and money to help publicize the coming of the Jeanie Johnston.

    Bill Mylett St. Michaels, Maryland

    		 Jeanie Johnston moored on River Street
    Aerial view of Jeanie moored
    at River Street, Savannah,
    across from Kevin Barry's Irish Pub
    Will you be visiting the Jeanie Johnston whilst she is docked in Savannah? If so, we would like to hear from you, letting us know how you found the experience onboard, for posting in a short report on this page. A photo or two would be nice as well!

    Jeanie Johnston can be hired for private parties whilst docked in Savannah.
    Please enquire.

    Sail training berths are available from Savannah to Charleston.
    Please check the information page.


    and return to JeanieJohnston.net.