American Son

Shearwater is a classic Newport-style schooner yacht, only recently recognized as a national landmark in 2009. The vessel was built by Rice Brother Corporation in East Boothbay, Maine, back in a time when yachting was a rare combination of elegance and adventure; Rice Bros. were well known for building luxury pleasure yachts and produced some 4,000 hulls over a period of 64 years. The keel was laid down on January 4, 1929 and a news clip from the Boothbay Register reflects alongside a photograph "Tyler Hodgon at the old Tide Mill is getting out timbers for the schooner to be built at Rice’s. Vessel to be built of native white oak." Traditionally built from hand-hewn native white oak, she was the last boat to be constructed at that yard - likely due to the ensuing Great Depression brought on by the Stock Market Crash that occurred later that autumn. East Boothbay was a small coastal town with shipbuilding being its only industry. About 40 workmen were employed for the construction of SHEARWATER. Her designer Theodore Donald Wells was born in Hudson Falls, N Y on October 22, 1875. He was a naval architect and marine engineer, a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and also the Institute of Naval Architects London. His education included post-graduate work at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He began his career as a member of the firm Herreshoff and Wells, N. Y. City in 1902. Working with Herreshoff no doubt had an influence on his designs, which bear similarities to many of the famous Herreshoff designed yachts of that time. From 1903 to 1907 he worked for Wintringham and Wells and then began practicing his profession under his own name. Mr. Wells joined the Navy Department in March 1917 and became Superintending Constructor of the Baltimore District U. S. N. Notable yachts designed and constructed under his supervision are "Viking" a 272 foot steel motor yacht built for George F. Baker in 1929 by Newport News and "Karina" a three masted schooner built for Robert E. Tod in 1932 by Staten Island Shipbuilding. Mr. Tod was a well-known offshore yachtsman as was his former yacht ‘Thistle", which competed in the Emperors Cup ocean race. SHEARWATER was launched on May 4, 1929 and photographs in the Boothbay Register reflect her graceful and elegant lines. Her first Captain, Leon Esterbrook of Edgarton, MA, arrived to take charge of the fitting out. Her owner Charles E Dunlap was a member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY and this became SHEARWATER’s first homeport after her completion in late September 1929. It was there in Oyster Bay that she first started to thrill those who sailed in luxury aboard her and those who were privileged to crew her on race day. Since her launching and documentation in Lloyd’s Register of American Yachts in 1929, she has had a colorful history and has been carefully maintained and restored to standards that few contemporary vessels are able to match and is truly a piece of American Maritime History. On November 7, 1942 SHEARWATER was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration and became a member of The United States Coast Guard’s Coastal Picket Patrol during World War Two. She was painted gray and bore the numbers CG67004. Based at Little Creek, Virginia she patrolled the waters east of the Chesapeake Bay entrance and south towards Cape Hatteras. Her skipper during that period reflected on how they used their free time while out on submarine patrol to race against other yachts and in his own words "sailed in tandem with the schooner Lord Jim, racing in and out of port, up and down the east coast and winning." She was designed and built as a gaff rigged schooner but during this period was changed to a Marconi rig. She carries over 2,550 square feet while under full sail. A true veteran world cruiser, she first transited the Panama Canal in July 1946 and in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s completed a two and a half-year global circumnavigation. In December 1971 Mrs. John B. Thayer of Rosemont, wife of a former trustee and treasurer, donated SHEARWATER to the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Environmental Medicine. She was used by the university as a laboratory for research on physiological responses to the stresses of living and working underwater. Captained by James Shearson, she was fitted with compressors, generators, monitoring instruments and a small decompression chamber. She has participated in many Ancient Mariner and Classic yacht races in U S waters as well as racing in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand while on her circumnavigation in the early 1980’s. It is rumored she was once dismasted in the famous Newport to Bermuda race. She was last raced by the current owners in San Diego in May 1995 in the American Schooner Cup and finished second overall. She entered the yacht charter industry in 1966 whilst on the West Coast sailing to the Channel Islands and was again used to generate income to keep her shipshape while owned by the University of Pennsylvania. During the chartering industry’s infancy in the Caribbean, SHEARWATER was known as the " Queen of the Fleet". Today she continues this tradition offering the most unique sailing experience and has passed rigid Coast Guard inspections and can carry up to 49 passengers. We welcome you to join us for an excellent opportunity to experience the ambiance of a vintage sailing vessel while delighting in the splendors of The Manhattan sky-line, the Statue of Liberty or the beauty of the oceans beyond.

As a Sea Trek / Reef Encounter participant or an Observer you’ll receive admission to all shows and exhibits for that day Exhibits Shark Channel - When Miami Seaquarium® first opened in 1955, one of the main attractions was the Shark Channel. Today, guests are still entranced by these fearsome creatures. At the Shark Presentation, animal care specialists feed 200-pound sharks while explaining the various species of shark that exist worldwide. Tropical Reef - A favorite among park visitors, the Main Reef Aquarium features a 750,000-gallon saltwater aquarium teeming with reef fishes of every size, color and description. During the Reef Presentation, a diver accompanied by a group of Sea Trekers slowly work their way around the aquarium allowing visitors to watch as he/she hand-feeds the colorful tropical fish, large groupers, cobia, stingrays and moray eels. This presentation is accompanied by an informational narration. Manatees - At the Manatee Exhibit, guests come face-to-face with Florida's state marine mammal through poolside and underwater viewing areas. The Manatee Presentation provides an opportunity to learn about this fascinating and federally endangered animal and, more importantly, explains ways that guests can help save these gentle creatures of the sea. The manatees featured are part of the rescue and rehabilitation program at Miami Seaquarium®. Seal & Sea Lion - The Seal & Sea Lion Feeder Pool is adjacent to the The Golden Dome, a Miami landmark designed by architect Buckminster Fuller. Throughout the day, guests may enjoy the Seal and Sea Lion Exhibit, where they can observe Sea Lions and Seals as they frolic in the South Florida sun. Daily feeding sessions provide the opportunity for guests to feed some of these playful and boisterous mammals. Discovery Bay - View sea turtles, Florida birds and other wild-life in a natural mangrove forest environment. Explore our sea turtle exhibit to learn more about the 5 endangered sea turtle species that live in Florida waters. The sea turtles featured are part of the rescue and rehabilitation program at Miami Seaquarium®. Tropical Wings - View a variety of tropical birds, including Cockatiels, Macaws, Flamingos and our resident peacock, Peeps. Listen carefully and one of our parrots may just greet you with a subtle “hello.” Our animal keepers are on hand to answer any questions you may have and tell you more about the birds we have on exhibit. Tropical Wings is also home to our Stingray Touch Pool. Tropical Fish Aquariums - Explore the stunning variety of tropical marine life that inhabits the aquariums lining the walls of the Top Deck Dolphin area. These aquariums feature an array of interesting fish species with unique characteristics. Explore a number of ocean creatures from Florida Lobsters that live in local reefs to the invasive Red Lion Fish which was recently discovered in Caribbean waters but are originally from the Pacific and Indian oceans. Crocodile Flats - Crocodylus niloticus, also known as Nile Crocodiles, are the center of attention in their home at Discovery Bay's Upper Island, known as Crocodile Flats. This exhibit is made up of 32 tons of rock, 72 tons of beach sand, coconut and sable palm trees. The crocodiles are 6 ½ to 8 feet long and when fully grown can reach a size of 16 feet and nearly 1,000 pounds. Their main diet consists of chicken, fish, and rabbit. Stingray Exhibit - Meet the newest creatures to call Miami Seaquarium® their home - Southern and Cownose Stingrays who have taken up residence in a new 10,000 gallon touch pool, located inside the Tropical Wings Exhibit at Miami Seaquarium®. The new interactive exhibit, gives park guests the opportunity to feed and feel the gentle glide of these amazing creatures at their fingertips. Daily feeding sessions provide the opportunity for guests to feed the Stingrays. Sharky's Sky Trail - Sharky’s Sky Trail is a multi-level aerial obstacle course that provides a challenging and fun experience for the whole family. Park guests will be able to climb three stories in the air to face 18 challenges including rickety bridges, suspended ropes and other balancing obstacles. While safely harnessed in an overhead track, you walk the planks and tiptoe the tightropes 32 feet above Miami Seaquarium®! Salty's Pirate Playground - Batten down the hatches and walk the plank at Salty’s Pirate Playground, a wet/dry playground area. The attraction consists of a two-level pirate ship, 31 feet by 27 feet, located at the center of a shark filled moat. The pirate ship, featuring water blasters, cargo nets, padded areas and a spiral slide, entertains buccaneers ages two through twelve. Shows Top Deck Dolphin - Thrill to the high-flying antics of bottlenose dolphins as they perform breathtaking leaps and rolls. Guests thrill to the acrobatics of these agile marine mammals as they brave “rough waters” during the Rock n’ Roll Cruise. The Top Deck dolphins can be viewed anytime throughout the day from above and below the water. Keep your eyes open you might be able to spot a baby dolphin depending on when you visit. Golden Dome Sea Lion - Enjoy the hilarious adventures of Salty the Sea Lion and his Reef Rangers. This comedic playlet allows the sea lion and seal stars to show off their athletic and comedic abilities as they explore the reef searching for a littering diver. You, too, can be a Reef Ranger by helping protect our waters from trash and recycling whenever possible. Flipper Dolphin Show - The new Caribbean themed show, with a new set, music, and behaviors will let everyone know what Flipper has been up to in recent years. While the show demonstrates that Flipper’s surroundings may have changed, his core commitment to helping out when there is a need has not. In addition, a new historic display of images and nostalgia from the original TV show will be on exhibit at the entrance of Flipper's stadium. Killer Whale & Dolphin - There’s only one place where you’ll find Pacific white-sided dolphins living, playing and performing alongside a killer whale! Be amazed and delighted by Lolita the Killer Whale and her exotic Pacific white-sided dolphin friends as they show off their natural grace, beauty and intelligence through the special relationship between animal and trainer.

Click Here for a complete list of current attractions included with the Washington DC Sightseeing Pass. Use the 24hr Hop-on Hop-off Bus included with your pass to get around easily. You can also enjoy our guided tours of DC’s famous landmarks. Frequently Asked Questions Is this just a discount card? Will I still need to buy tickets? No. Passes include admission to each attraction; no need to pay anything at the gate. Some attractions may offer upgrades or special exhibits for an additional fee. Do I need to choose my attractions in advance? Nope, choose as you go. The pass is good for any combination of the number of attractions you purchased. My child is under 3 years old. Can I get them a Washington DC Sightseeing Pass? Child Passes are recommended for children ages 3-12. Many attractions offer free admission for younger children. Please consult the attraction websites for more details. How do I activate my pass? Easy: simply visit your first attraction! Is the pass valid all day? You bet! Feel free to visit the attractions any time of the day as long as they are open or operating. How much will I save? Compare the price of the pass to the gate prices of the attractions you want to visit to see how much you can save. Many customers save 50%. We give you the flexibility to create your own itinerary and choose the attractions you want to visit depending on your interests. Do I need to make reservations to visit the attractions?  Attractions that require a reservation will display a symbol on the guidebook page. Some attractions require a credit card to hold a reservation. In these cases, your credit card will not be charged unless you do not show up for your reservation.  What’s the catch? There’s no catch. Washington DC Sightseeing Pass has a partnership with all of the participating attractions to make your visit to DC as memorable as possible and to help you save time and money. What happens if an attraction is closed or a tour is cancelled due to weather or other problem? While we do our best to ensure that all attractions are available, events happen that are out of our control. The great thing about a Washington DC Sightseeing Pass is that there are so many attractions to choose from. If an attraction is closed, or cannot be visited for some reason, we know you'll find a fun alternative in your guidebook!

Stops include: Cathal Brugha Street. Abbey Street  - Lower O'Connell St Trinity College Dublin  - College Green Nassau Street  - Nassau Street National Gallery.   - Merrion Square West Government Buildings  - Merrion Sq West St. Stephen's Green  - Grafton Street. Tourism Centre  - Suffolk Street Temple Bar  - Dame Street. Dublin Castle  - Cork Hill Christchurch / Dublinia  - Christ Church Place. St Patrick's Cathedral  - Patrick Street. Guinness Storehouse  - St James's Gate Museum of Modern Art  - Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Kilmainham Gaol  - Old Kilmainham Heuston Rail Station  - St. John's Road Dublin Zoo  - Phoenix Park Ryan's Victorian Bar  - Parkgate Street National Museum  - Collin's Barracks Old Jameson Distillery  - Smithfield The Four Courts  - Ormond Quay Liffey River Cruise  - Bachelors Walk Dublin Bus HQ   Upper O'Connell Writers Museum  Parnell Square North

El acuario está abierto durante todo el año. El mejor periodo para visitas en grupo o escuelas es entre Octubre y Marzo en días laborales.

Reptile House Crocosaurus Cove presents the World’s largest display of Australian Reptiles, with over 70 species of reptiles on display in your reptile enclosure. Most reptiles on display are from the Northern Territory’s Top End and Kimberley region, however be sure to check out our new Desert region which is home to a range of species found in Australia’s Red Centre. A reptile can be described as a vertebrate (ie has a backbone) that derives it’s body temperature from an external source, such as the sun. It’s body is covered in skin from which grow scales. Some scales are very difficult to see as found on geckos, while other reptiles have modified scales that create a suit of armour or plating as seen in turtles. Get up close to some of these amazing critters in our Meet the Reptile show & learn more about what they like for lunch during our Reptile Feeding show. The Reptile Team are always on hand to assist with questions so don’t be shy! Show Times 10.00, 12.30, 16.00 Swim with crocs Jump in & cool down in this unique swimming pool that lets you get up close to our energetic juvenile crocodiles, safely of course! Pose for Mum & Dad for great photo opportunities…your friends will think you’re actually swimming with the crocs! So, bring your bathers and jump in! Open All Day Fishing for Crocs Want to get up close to energetic juvenile crocodiles? You can, on the Fishing for Crocs platform. Surround yourself with almost 100 juvenile (2-3 year old) saltwater crocodiles that are hungry for the juicy snack that is being dangled at the end of your fishing line. See how these crocodiles hunt in the wild by bringing their entire body length out of the water to catch prey such as bats and birds. Great fun for the entire family & a photo opportunity not to be missed. Be sure to experience this great activity after the Big Croc Feed Shows. Show Times 11.30, 14.30, 16.30 Big Croc Feed Show Starting with the Bite Force demonstration, witness the force behind the jaws of a crocodile as the purpose built machine makes a meal out of a solid block of ice! Go on to be introduced to some of the World’s largest Saltwater Crocodiles and be educated on their amazing ability to survive, their feeding habits and how they have remained relatively unchanged for over 200 million years. Get to know some of the famous inhabitants such as Burt, the star of movie, Crocodile Dundee. Don’t forget to say hello to the resident couple, William & Kate, while Chopper has the scars of battle to prove his reputation as one of the most feared Saltwater crocs in the Northern Territory. Show Times 11.30, 14.30 World of Crocs Ever wondered how many Crocodilian species there are around the world? What is the difference between an Alligator and a Crocodile? The World of Crocs has 14 different Crocodilian wax replicas, all in air-conditioned comfort, on display. Check out the model examples of Australia’s Saltwater & Freshwater Crocodiles as well as interesting & unusual species such as the Indian Garhial and the Dwarf Crocodile! While checking out the crocodile replicas, don’t forget to see the real thing and hold a baby croc! Open All Day Hold a Baby Croc Aren’t they cute! Here’s your chance to hold a baby croc. Check out their scales & webbed feet, and marvel at these amazing prehistoric creatures. Our on-site photographers will take your snaps & turn them into prints or put them onto a disk for you to enjoy. A great memento from your time at Crocosaurus Cove & the Top End. All purchased photos also appear each week on our facebook page Crocosaurus Cove Darwin! Open Times 9.30 – 17.30 daily (Please note that the studio is closed during the Big Croc Feed Shows) Turtle Billabong Meet some of the Top End’s cutest inhabitants at our upstairs Turtle Billabong. Species such as Red & Yellow Face Turtles, Snapping Turtles and the gorgeous Pig Nosed Turtles are all found in the Top End’s river systems. How many species will you be able to find? Show Times 13.30 Freshwater Aquarium Check out the amazing 200,000 litre freshwater aquarium. Modeled on a typical river system in the Top End, the aquarium is home to many different fish species. The Whipray is the freshwater cousin to the Stingray – see these amazing creatures glide through the water and learn more about them at our daily aquarium feeding show. No Top End attraction would be complete without the famous Barramundi! One of the most famous inhabitants alongside the Saltwater Crocodile in the rivers in Australia’s Top End. Unfortunately we can’t let you throw a line to catch one of these beauties! Don’t miss our aquarium feeding show to see the famous Archer Fish in action. It has to be seen to be believed! Show Times 11.00, 15.30