The West Coast’s Tall Ships, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, will be making their return visit to Oakland, CA. While in town, April 12 through April 21, the vessels will be docked at Jack London Square (1 Water Street and Broadway) and will offer educational programs, vessel tours, and sailing trips for the general public and by private charter.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, the educational non-profit behind the tall ships, is celebrating both vessels’ recent 30th birthdays. The vessels of Historical Seaport are among the most active educational boats in America, visiting over 30 West Coast communities each year.
The steel-hulled Hawaiian Chieftain was built in 1988 in Lahaina, HI for Laurence “Baron” Dorcy, Jr. Its design reflects the packet trader ships that sailed coastal New England in the mid-1800s. Hawaiian Chieftain was acquired by Historical Seaport from private ownership in 2005. Hawaiian Chieftain is also the host of Historical Seaport’s professional maritime training program The Seafarer Collective.
The wooden-hulled Lady Washington was built in 1989 in Historical Seaport’s home port of Aberdeen, WA to commemorate the centennial of Washington’s statehood. She is a replica of the 18th century vessel of the same name which was the first American ship to make landfall on the West Coast. Movie fans will recognize Lady Washington from her roles in Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek: Generations, ABC’s Once Upon a Time, and many other features.
Wednesday through Friday, schools can reserve a trip aboard the tall ship for Historical Seaport’s original maritime heritage field trip Voyage of Explorers. On weekends the tall ships are open to the general public for ticketed Adventure Sails, Evening Sails, Battle Sails, and occasional special events. Vessel Tours, which take place aboard the tall ships as they are docked in port, take place Friday through Sunday by a $5 suggested donation. Hawaiian Chieftain can also be chartered for private events including weddings, parties, and films.
For tickets and more information about Grays Harbor Historical Seaport and its tall ships – including crewing and Membership opportunities – guests should visit the website at historicalseaport.org or call (800) 200-5239.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is a 501 (c)(3) educational non-profit public development authority based in Aberdeen, Washington. For 30 years, they have provided hands on education opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds aboard the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain.