Portuguese Heritage
Azorean Whaleboats Regatta on the Charles River
	June 1, 2:00 pm
	MIT Boathouse 409 Memorial Drive Cambridge      (directions)
	Patrocinado por: Azorean Maritime Heritage Society (AMHS - New Bedford, MA) MIT Rowing Club MIT Dept of Athletics, Physical Education & Recreation Dir. Regional das Comunidades Special thanks to John Pinheiro and Joe Soares (AMHS) for their dedication and enthusiasm in bringing this unique celebration of Azorean heritage to the Charles River in Boston.

"The first New England whaler to stop at the Azores did so about 1730, and by 1750 Azorean crews were being taken. This went on for 175 years ending in 1921 when the last whaler appeared. In 1780, as many as 200 whaling ships could be found in the Azores picking up crew members. Not only did the ships stop at the Azores for crews, they also collected supplies, and repairs were made. Some would deposit the whale oil and bones for shipment to New Bedford. Once an Azorean sailor arrived in Massachusetts, he would often find work in the local area. Some would travel to California either by land or on another whaling ship. Sometimes the Azorean would return home to the islands for a visit or to bring his wife and children back to the United States. Those who stayed in the New Bedford area, could find jobs on shore in many of the whaling-related industries. There were whale oil refineries, cooper shops, toolworks, and processing plants. Soon Southern New England became populated with Azoreans, and they could be found living in Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Gloucester, Boston, and Providence to name a few locations." (Robert L. Santos, In Azorean and New England Whaling and Fishing)

One of the most outstanding events of the Festival is back with more crews, a bigger program and at least as much enthusiasm. The Azorean Whaleboats Regatta on the Charles River will be hosted by the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society – owner of the two whaling boats that will be used – in conjunction with the MIT Rowing Club and the MIT Dept of Athletics, Physical Education & Recreation. It will bring together whaleboat rowing crews from New Bedford, Hudson, Lowell, Gloucester and Peabody, as well as the MIT Rowing Crews.

The event will also be an opportunity for the public to learn more about Azorean-Portuguese history, its centuries-old ties with New England whaling, and one of the most remarkable boat designs of the Northern Atlantic.