On Saturday, July 11, over fifty tall ships sail into the Boston Harbor for the 2026 Sail Boston. This five-day event celebrates 250 years of United States history as part of the global Sail250 tour. One of the tall ships in particular shares a cultural history with New Bedford and has visited its shores throughout the years. July 19, for the first time since 2015, NRP (Navio da República Portuguesa, ship of the Portuguese Republic) Sagres will enter New Bedford’s harbor and spend five days with the community.

History of the ship that became Sagres

Since 1961, Sagres has been a school ship for the Portuguese navy, but the ship was originally built for Germany’s Kriegsmarine and launched in 1937. The ship, originally named Albert Leo Schlageter, is a steel-built, three-masted barque. There are square sails on the fore and main masts and gaff rigging on her mizzen mast. The main mast reaches one hundred thirty-eight feet above the deck, and there are twenty-two sails in total. After some use as a training vessel, she mostly sat in port as an office ship.

The United States confiscated the ship after World War II and then sold it to Brazil in 1948. The ship sailed as a Brazilian Navy school ship under the name of Guanabara. Ambassador Teotonio Pereira of Portugal, who loved sailing ships, organized the first Tall Ships’ Races. Subsequently, he bought Guanabara to replace the Portuguese Navy school ship. The previous Sagres retired to Hamburg to serve as a museum under its original name, Rickmer Rickmers. Guanabara was renamed Sagres, serving as the third vessel under that namesake.

Sagres has served the Portuguese navy for sixty-four years, having celebrated fifty years in 2012, which was also her seventy-fifth anniversary. In 2010, Sagres circumnavigated the globe, travelling 35,000 miles as part of a commemorative and diplomatic voyage. When Sagres sails into port, she is easily recognizable by her bright white hull and sails that feature the red crosses of the Order of Christ.

Visits to New Bedford

Sagres sails into New Bedford’s harbor on July 19, 2026, for its third visit. In 1996, Sagres’ visit coincided with the dedication of a monument to Prince Henry the Navigator. People can see this monument today on Pope’s Island at Prince Henry the Navigator Park on the waterfront. Sagres transported authentic casks of Madeira wine during that visit, marking it a historic Vinho da Volta. This historical term, meaning “wine of the return journey,” denotes wine that matures on a voyage across the ocean. During a trip at sea, the chemical composition of the wine changes due to heat, oxygen exposure, and the rolling movement of the waves. Learn more about Madeira wine’s significance to New Bedford’s culture and the American Revolution.

In 2015, Sagres visited New Bedford as part of the Tall Ships Challenge Atlantic Coast. Organized by Tall Ships America, this racing event featured international and historical vessels. Sagres docked in New Bedford for two days, welcoming the community and visitors for tours of the ship.

2026 Visit

Sagres arrives in New Bedford on Sunday, July 19, and will dock at the Marine Commerce Terminal. New Bedford’s authentic Azorean Whaleboats and the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey will escort the tall ship into the harbor. The Azorean Maritime Heritage Society stewards New Bedford’s whaleboats. These are three of the only sixty-three authentic Azorean Whaleboats in the world. Furthermore, they are the only three in the United States. The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey is a gift of the Republic of Cabo Verde, a National Historical Landmark, and the official vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

An arrival ceremony will greet Sagres at the terminal berth, during which the Grupo Folkloric do Clube Madeirense S. S. Sacramento will perform. Afterwards, the ship invites the public aboard for tours from 4 to 8 PM. Monday, July 20, tours will be offered from 10 AM to 2 PM. On Tuesday, July 21, the ship is open to visitors from 10 AM to 8 PM. Wednesday, July 22, the ship will offer tours from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum and Azorean Maritime Heritage Society are co-presenting a special program at the museum on July 21. António Manuel Maurício Camilo, Lieutenant Commander of Sagres, will give a presentation on the ship’s history, its voyages over the years, and its role as a cultural ambassador for Portugal. Following his talk, Francisco António Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal, will deliver remarks on the momentous occasion of Sagres’s visit to New Bedford. Purchase your tickets for the event at the museum today.

Don’t miss this historic visitation and, specifically, the ceremonial arrival on July 19 and departure on July 23, both scheduled for 10 AM.