The Gasparilla Ship- It’s docking spot keeps moving.
The Jose Gaspar ship docks behind Curtis Hixon Hall circa 1965 Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.
Gasparilla has been celebrated almost every year since 1904. The citywide event hosted by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla is a month-long series of events that brings hundreds of thousands of people to the party.
The celebration began in the early 1900s as the area grew from a village to a burgeoning city. Leaders were attempting to promote this city’s multi-day Mayday Festival, and an initial group of 50 men formed the first krewe. They rode horses through the streets of the town, delighting locals and starting a tradition that has grown and lasted over 100 years.
If you’re going to have a pirate as a mascot, you better have a ship. In 1937, the krewe acquired its first permanent ship, the Jose Gaspar, and invaded the city. That boat lasted until 1957. Since that time, there have been other iterations of the craft (it’s really a barge and does not sail under its own power).
Traditionally, the boat has sailed from the Tampa Yacht Club at Ballast Point, across Hillsborough Bay, and up the Hillsborough River to downtown. There have been several docking locations, including the University of Tampa, behind Curtis Hixon Hall, Harbor Island, and now at the Tampa Convention Center.
© Chip Weiner. All rights reserved
The Jose Gaspar ship docks behind Curtis Hixon Hall circa 1965 2 Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.
Jose Gasper ship sails past the construction on Curtis Hixon Park circa 1964. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.
The Jose Gaspar ship docks at Harbor Island circa 1985. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.
Jose Gaspar ship sails under the Kennedy Blvd bridge 1964. Gandy Collection. Courtesy of the University of South Florida.
Jose Gaspar pirate ship prepares to dock at the Tampa Convention Center. © Chip Weiner