Lady Washington Work Party Set for Saturday

The Historical Seaport is inviting people from Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Cosmopolis, Westport, Ocean Shores, Elma, Montesano and all Grays Harbor communities to participate in a public work party Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We need your help on critical maintenance on the rigging of Lady Washington. You'll disassemble blocks, strip down rigging, and repair the tall ship’s sails. All levels of experience and skill are welcome, including beginners.

Members of the GHHSA board of directors and Historical Seaport staff, including marine operations manager Micah Allnutt, will also be hand to discuss the Lady Washington’s new Scania 12 L marine engine, which will be installed in the vessel this winter. The engine was purchased with funds raised through the Historical Seaport’s SAILING GREEN capital campaign, which is still under way. The new engine will reduce Lady Washington’s carbon footprint, enabling it to meet California’s strict emissions standards. Lady Washington is scheduled to return to the Golden State later this year as Grays Harbor’s tall ship ambassador.

The work party is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the Historical Seaport’s headquarters at 712 Hagara Street in Junction City. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All tools and liquid refreshments will be provided. Volunteers should wear suitable clothing. For more information, call 800-200-5239.

Lady Washington's New Engine Arrives in Aberdeen

Lady Washington's new engine arrived today at the Historical Seaport's headquarters in Aberdeen, Wash. Top: Marine Operations Manager Micah Allnutt, right, and Mark Woolsey, owner of Westport Diesel Service, look over the newly unloaded Scania 12 L marine diesel engine. Bottom: Allnutt accepts delivery of the new motor from Mark Woolsey and Gary Arnold, Marine OEM Manager at Cascade Engine Center LLC in Tukwila, Wash. Many thanks, guys! Next step in the project is removing the old engine from Lady Washington.

Though we've reached an important milestone, the Historical Seaport is still a bit less than $20,000 short of our $100,000 goal for the engine re-power, which will put us in compliance with California's strict emissions regulations. Please consider contributing today via our web donations page.

Hawaiian Chieftain Firing Her Cannon

Here's a shot of Hawaiian Chieftain firing a shot, as it were. Guests Ed and Jana Burningham took this picture last May near Hood River, Ore., as they rode the Lady Washington during a Battle Sail. Hawaiian Chieftain is now on her way to Newport Beach, Calif, where she'll offer three-hour Adventure Sails this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available on our website or by calling 800-200-5239.

If you have a photo to share, send it to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Merry Christmas from LW, HC, and the Seaport staff!

I took this photo of the Christmas tree aboard Lady Washington last weekend during the Coastal Harvest food drive. Cute! Merry Christmas to everyone from the crews of the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, and the staff at the Historical Seaport HQ in Aberdeen.

Visitors Bring Food Donations to Lady Washington

Several Lady Washington fans braved today's drizzly weather in Aberdeen to visit the boat and bring food donations for Coastal Harvest, Grays Harbor County's food bank program. Top: A family chats with John Paul, the purser, before boarding the ship. Middle: Alex Kluh, one of the Historical Seaport's board members, looks rather serious before bringing his donation aboard. Bottom: The light was almost gone when this mom and son brought some canned goods, gratefully accepted by Dashter. one of the Lady's crew.

Thanks to everyone who brought donations to our Aberdeen berth. Thanks also our friends in Westport who brought their donations earlier this week.

Hawaiian Chieftain on the Sacramento River

Radio and TV producer Raleigh Adams took these photos of Hawaiian Chieftain over the Thanksgiving weekend as he was working on feature stories for local television. The eerie photo above looks almost 19th century, despite the color. Note the steam locomotive and its cars on the riverbank behind the boat, which has just fired its cannon. The photo below shows Hawaiian Chieftain enjoying a leisurely cruise on the Sacramento River. If you have photos to share, please send them to photos@historicalseaport.org.

JB and Gov. Chris Gregoire on Hawaiian Chieftain

Steve Freiderich of the Daily World sent us a screenshot of Gov. Chris Gregoire's home page, which has a slideshow with this photo of the governor with Capt. JB Morrison aboard the Lady Washington Hawaiian Chieftain. The ship was in Olympia last September, and Gov. Gregoire and her husband Mike came by for a visit. The photo was taken by Weldon Wilson, the governor's official photographer.