When I was a lad, there was a feature that was in the newspaper called, "Bay Shipping". I checked it after turning to the inside back page of the "Evening Bulletin" to read the comics. The object of the feature was to see the shipping coming in and departing Narragansett Bay.

The subject of "Bay Shipping" was important to my family. My father was either interacting with one of the ships aboard another vessel or was piloting on a vessel. As I grew, I found myself aboard vessels.

As I was taking graduate courses in Marine Affairs in Newport among Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and NOAA Corps officers, I continued this practice. I would slip out of class to spot a ship or two. I continued the habit online when I lived overseas as I wanted to know the movements at home. It was a way of knowing what friends and family were up to.

Alas, all good things come to an end, including the "Bay Shipping" feature. Sometime after the fateful day of 9/11, the feature became a "security issue". My father has also passed, so I no longer watch for him. Even so, I find myself sitting on the rocks from time to time and watch a ship or two on Narragansett Bay.

Outbound Under The Moon

Outbound Under The MoonOutbound ship heading south on the east passage of Narraganset Bay departing in the early evening as the moon is on the rise.

Southward Bound Under The Moon

Southward Bound Under The MoonOutbound ship heading south on the east passage of Narraganset Bay departing in the early evening as the moon is on the rise.

Outbound ship heading south on the east passage of Narraganset Bay departing in the early evening as the moon is on the rise.

Photo from our Made From RI Gallery portfolio display "Ships" (all photos are available as prints, canvas wraps, framed works, cards, or many other formats). 

© Keith R Wahl, Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Keith R Wahl and Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.