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Tall Ships return to Tacoma

Experience maritime history

The tall ship Lady Washington will visit Olympia Aug. 29-Sept. 4. Photo credit: Thomas Hyde

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A tall ship is coming to Tacoma, and with them comes a sense of 18th century American history.

The historic ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will visit a number of Washington ports, with the Hawaiian Chieftain docking at the Foss Waterway (705 Dock Street) Thursday and Friday, Aug. 23-24.

The creation of the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, an educational nonprofit, the tall ships' visits provide educational, vocational, recreational and ambassadorial activities, which present and preserve the maritime history of Grays Harbor, the Pacific Northwest and the country.

"We promote and preserve our maritime heritage and its traditions," wrote Zachary Stocks, program development director.

"Our visits to local ports are how we do that, and we give people a chance to experience the history of this region while aboard real working examples of ships that are all but gone today."

This history has some seaworthy dimensions.

Built by the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, the Lady Washington is a full-scale replica of the original ship. That ship was the first American vessel to make landfall on the west coast of North America, Hong Kong, Japan and Honolulu.

With over 4,400 square feet of sail area and rigging that is almost six miles in length, the 99-ton ship (classified as a brig) is 112 feet in length, 22 feet in width and draws 11 feet of water.

The Hawaiian Chieftain was launched in 1988, and its design is based on 19th century "packet ships," which were used to ferry cargo into small ports because of their shallow draft.

While the ship (classified as a top sail ketch) has 4,200 square feet of sail area, the Hawaiian Chieftain is 103 feet in length, 22 feet in width and draws only 5.5 feet of water.

"Being on board one of these tall ships is a total sensory experience," Stocks continued.  

"The sight of the tall ship, the feel of the rough line in your hands and the breeze in your hair, the smell of the sea and the sounds of the guns and birds and crew call -- it's like stepping back to another era."

While docked, the public can engage in a dockside tour, a self-directed exploration of the ship; a $5 donation is suggested.

Thursday, Aug. 23, visitors can participate in an Adventure Sail, a two-hour tall ship sailing experience with an experienced and knowledgeable crew. Tickets run from $42 to $49.

Both tall ships will visit Bremerton (Aug. 11-16); Port Orchard (Aug. 18-26); Tacoma (Aug. 23-24, the Hawaiian Chieftain only); Olympia (Aug. 29-Sept. 4);  Kirkland (Sept. 7-12); and Olympia (Sept. 15-18).

For more information about the tall ships' schedule (subject to change) and ticket costs, visit historicalseaport.org/public-tours-sails/sailing-schedule

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