What A Blessing For Our Freo Fleet!

Well, what a day yesterday turned out to be in Fremantle, especially from 2 pm onwards as the Blessing of the Fleet procession assembled at St Patrick’s Basilica in Adelaide Street, and then made its way along Adelaide Street, through High Street, down Henry, and then past the Esplanade to Fishing Boat Harbour.

The Sun shone, the Band played, the Banner Bearers were as majestic as all the others young and older were poised – and the Virgin was as resplendent as ever as she favourably watched over proceedings.

It was a great sight, redolent of the many Blessings of yesteryear.

We at the Shipping News have been covering the Blessings story for a few years now. If you’re new to it, you must read Deanna Shanahan’s informative story all about its Mediterranean origins.

Once the procession arrived at Fishing Boat Harbour many clambered aboard the magnificently decked out vessels which then circled the harbour 3 times before returning to dock.

Eventually the Blessing wound up for another year, as folk slowly made their way back to St Pat’s.

But that wasn’t quite the end of the festivities. At 8 pm the night sky over Fishing Boat Harbour was set alight by a spectacular display of fireworks. Always wonderful for the heart!

As usual, Fremantle Shipping News was on hand to witness and record proceedings. Deanna Shanahan, our head photographer and @flotsamandjetsam6162 were on hand to snap all the action, along with our editor Michael Barker.

Here’s our fabulous gallery of just some of the colour and movement from the 2021 Blessing.