Faced With Lawsuit, Newport Drops 'Black Ships' Name

NEWPORT, RI—For the first time in 35 years, Newport will not host the Black Ships Festival, Mayor Harry Winthrop confirmed Tuesday. The festival commemorates Commodore Matthew Perry's historic expedition, and the arrival of Western 'black ships," as the Japanese dubbed them, in Tokyo Bay. Perry forced a treaty on the Japanese, opening diplomatic relations and trade. Ultimately, both nations benefited, and the festival has celebrated the City's connection with Perry, a Rhode Island native who's buried in Newport.

But last year, the festival's organizers decided to move it to Bristol.

The Japan-America Society, which owns the trademark on the name 'Black Ships Festival,' decided to move the event after a disagreement with the mayor, according to Dr. Patrick T. Conley. Winthrop defended his actions and said he merely asked for a financial accounting of some $4,000, which the City had contributed. The mayor also objected to a practice of paying air fare for the society's past president, who lives in Arizona, to travel to Newport for the festival. If those two matters had been resolved, the mayor said, the festival could go on as always.

Conley recommended moving instead, he told Patch. The plans were hatched last year. Last April, the society obtained a trademark for the Black Ships Festival name. In response to the Bristol move, the City had intended to mount its own separate Newport-Shimoda Black Ships Festival. But Conley said the society would sue, if that happened.

Winthrop also confirmed the lawsuit was filed.

Now, instead of two Black Ships Festivals this month, Bristol will host the only Black Ships Festival starting on July 13.

Newport will host the Newport-Shimoda Sister City Celebration, instead. It starts on July 12. Bristol's Black Ships Festival starts on July 13.

Tuesday afternoon, the City manager's office sent this press release: "The Newport-Shimoda Sister City Celebration to be held in Newport from July 12, 2018 through July 15, 2018, its scheduled events and management, is not affiliated with the Black Ships Festival to be held in Bristol, Rhode Island and other locations from July 13, 2018 through July 15, 2018 by the Japan America Society of Rhode Island and Black Ships Festival, Inc. The public is encouraged to support and attend both events."

Pat Fay did not immediately respond to questions about the press release. But the mayor explained the situation.

"Japan America Society did file a law suit," he said, "and the city's attorneys have asked for a change of venue to Federal Court to hear the complaint. With that said, we've decided to call the event what it is and that's a celebration of 60 years as sister cities. This best describes the reason for the event."

Conley did not immediately respond to questions about the lawsuit.

Courtesy Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jess Lewis/released