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07/26/2017 07:51 AMThe Connecticut River has many secrets—but did you know one of them is that the nefarious Saybrook Swashbucklers are sailing about, and out to waylay pleasure cruisers? This August, families can take a special cruise with Essex Steam Train and Riverboat for an interactive show on the water: Thar’ Be Pirates on the Riverboat!
“I go to Cape Cod a lot, and in Hyannis Harbor there is a pirate ship that takes kids out on summer adventures,” said Pam Amodio, director of product development and event management at Essex Steam Train and Riverboat of where the idea came from. “I thought the concept was interesting. We were talking about new things, this was on the list, and we developed our own little pirate adventure.”
Passengers will take a ride in 1920s-vintage train cars from Essex to Deep River Landing, where they will board the Becky Thatcher riverboat and begin their adventure. However, if you’re going to have a pirate adventure, you first need to have a both a pirate crew and a pirate ship. That is where the replica ship Onrust (and its cannon) came in to play.
“We were originally thinking, ‘Where will we find a pirate ship?’ One of our employees knew about the Onrust at the Connecticut River Museum, so we reached out to them, and the ship will be used by us on performance nights,” said Amodio.
The local connections don’t end with the ship. Local actors will be part of the pirate crew, and the captain himself, Billy Bones, will be played by David Engel, an actor who specializes in playing a pirate in a nationally touring show, Pirate School.
The storyline and concept is part improvisation, part scripted, and part interactive, and geared toward families with children aged 4 and older. The Onrust will sail alongside the Becky Thatcher, fire its cannon, and the pirates will board the ship.
“Then the trouble starts,” laughed Amodio. “This year we are doing the two shows only. We’re testing the waters on a few things this year; several will be repeats, and hopefully this will become an annual event, too.”
Passengers will spend about 1 ½ hours on the water before returning to Deep River Landing and taking the train back to Essex. It is important to note that while the Becky Thatcher is fully accessible, the train cars themselves do have four steps and no ramps (they are vintage they are not fully accessible) and those who might require accommodations should reach out to Essex Steam Train for more information. The 6 p.m. departure from Essex is firm, as Amodio notes, “trains have to leave on time and keep to a schedule.”
While the train keeps to a strict schedule, other parts of the evening are much less structured.
“Pirates have a freedom, they do whatever they want and to heck with anyone who gets in their way—some days that sounds appealing,” said Amodio, on why pirates seem to capture public imagination.
Thar’ Be Pirates on the Riverboat! comes to Essex Steam Train and Riverboat on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 2 and 3. The event runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; the train will depart promptly at 6 p.m. so guests should plan on arriving by 5:45 p.m. for boarding. The train will depart Essex for Deep River Landing, where passengers will then board the Becky Thatcher. Pirate-themed food and beverage service is available on board the ship, as well. Tickets, $40 for adults and $30 for children, are available at www.essexsteamtrain.com or by calling 860-767-0103; advance purchase is recommended. Thar’ Be Pirates on the Riverboat! is recommended for ages four and up.