Donor Boosts Lady Washington Engine Campaign to 78% of Goal

We're pleased to announce that a major gift by an anonymous donor has raised the total gifts for the Seaport’s SAILING GREEN campaign to more than 78 percent of its goal. Last summer, the Seaport announced a fundraising campaign to raise $100,000 for the purchase and installation of a new engine for the Lady Washington. This week, a longtime supporter made a significant donation which brought the total SAILING GREEN gifts to more than $78,000. The Historical Seaport plans to reach its fundraising goal by December 31, 2009.

The Historical Seaport announced its SAILING GREEN campaign September 9 when it became clear that Lady Washington’s Detroit Diesel 8V-71 auxiliary engine no longer met California’s strict emissions standards. And as caretaker of the Official Ship of the State of Washington, the Historical Seaport believes Lady Washington should keep her carbon footprint as low as possible.

The Historical Seaport will replace Lady Washington’s engine with a new fuel efficient engine and marine gear. The new engine will meet or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier II exhaust emissions standards, California marine engine exhaust standards, and the standards established by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Annex VI). The new engine, along with planned upgrades of the ship’s electrical and lighting systems, will reduce Lady Washington’s fuel consumption, emissions and her carbon footprint.

“Every donation to this project is an investment in the future,” said Capt. Les Bolton, GHHSA’s executive director. “This new engine will mean that Lady Washington will continue to provide quality shipboard education programs for youth up and down the west coast while she serves as an ambassador for Grays Harbor County and the people of Washington State.”

The engine replacement work is scheduled to begin in January 2010, but the Historical Seaport still needs to raise nearly $22,000. Donations to its SAILING GREEN campaign may be made online at www.historicalseaport.org. Donors may also call 800-200-5239 or mail a check to SAILING GREEN, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, PO Box 2019, Aberdeen, WA, 98520. For more information, contact Capt. Les Bolton, 800-200-5239, les@historicalseaport.org.

Lady Washington: 15 Years a Movie Star

Lady Washington fans who also happen to be Star Trek fans will note that today is the 15th anniversary of the ship's debut as a movie star. On November 18, 1994, Paramount Pictures released Star Trek: Generations. Lady Washington played the role of the 18th century USS Enterprise in the scene on the holodeck in which Worf is promoted to lieutenant commander. The photo above, courtesy of TrekCore.com, shows the cast on the quarterdeck of Lady Washington. Of course, Lady Washington went on to other roles, notably as the Black Pearl in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

If you have a production still of Lady Washington you can share, email it photos@historicalseaport.org.

Lady Washington Needs Volunteer Tall Ship Sailors

The Lady Washington has an immediate need for volunteer tall ship sailors to bring her home to Grays Harbor. No experience necessary; new volunteers will be enrolled in the ship’s Two Weeks Before the Mast program, which includes comprehensive training, meals and a bunk. Experienced volunteers are encouraged as well.

The Lady Washington is now at St. Helens, Ore., and will sail to Rainier, Ore., on Thursday, Nov. 19. She then travels to Vancouver, Wash. for the Thanksgiving holiday. The ship will make the ocean passage to Westport, Wash. on Dec. 14. The master of Lady Washington is Jeremiah Gempler.

If you are interested in volunteering and can board Lady Washington within the next week, please contact Micah Allnutt, marine operations manager, marine_ops@historicalseaport.org, 800-200-5239.

We hope to see you aboard!

Fan Photos: Cannon Fire Aboard LW

Beverly Young, a guest on our Nov. 15 Adventure Sail out of Washougal, Wash., took these remarkable photos of Lady Washington's gunner touching off one of her three-pounders. The moment between the touch and the boom is less than a second, so catching one after the other is amazing. If you have a photo to share of your Lady Washington experience, send it to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Lady Washington Assists With Rescue

The Lady Washington assisted in a rescue of two people aboard a small sailboat on the Columbia River yesterday (Sunday). During its scheduled mid-afternoon public sail out of Washougal, Capt. Jeremiah Gempler and the crew saw a small boy and an elderly man in distress on the overturned sailboat and notified the Coast Guard. Lady Washington stood by for 35 to 40 minutes until rescuers arrived. Jeremiah says both victims were treated for hypothermia and taken to a Portland hospital. KATU-TV posted this article about the rescue on its website.

Fan Photos: Lady Washington at Hood River

Thanks to Cari Reeves for sending us this photo of Lady Washington approaching Hood River earlier this month. Notice the fall colors on the hills in the background. If you have a photo to share of Lady Washington or Hawaiian Chieftain, send it to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Fan Photo: A Flag for Veterans Day

We're a day late posting for Veterans Day, but this photo reminds us of our vets here and servicemen and women overseas. Gary Veatch, a guest on Lady Washington during our Passage from The Dalles to Hood River, took this photo yesterday as he sailed the Columbia River. If you have a photo to share, send it to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Fan Photo: Lady Washington in Umatilla

Marc Stevenson, a passenger during our Passage from Pasco to Umatilla on Monday, snapped this pretty photo of Lady Washington in the Port of Umatilla marina. You can see the Interstate 82 Bridge over the Columbia River and the McNary Dam in the background. We offer berths on most of our port-to-port passages, including multi-day ocean passages. For a schedule, visit our home page. If you have a photo to share, send it to photos@historicalseaport.org.

HC Collects Food Bank Donations in Sac.

The Hawaiian Chieftain, now docked at Old Sacramento, will serve as a collection point for donations to the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ “Holiday Spirit of Giving” food drive. SFBFS delivered one of its distinctive blue 55-gallon barrels to the ship, and the crew of the Hawaiian Chieftain is encouraging all visitors to the vessel to bring donations in support of SFBFS’ campaign.

The Hawaiian Chieftain is owned and operated by the not-for-profit Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority of Aberdeen, Wash., which often works with other not-for-profits on hands-on enrichment experiences for youth. GHHSA is proud to support SFBFS’s programs, including its the Youth Academy, which offers programs for elementary-aged youth focusing on literacy and independent thinking. The Youth Academy encourages academic success, character building, social development, and community service, similar to GHHSA’s mission.

The Hawaiian Chieftain will accept non-perishable food items, winter clothing for children and adults, infant diapers and formula, and other donations through Dec. 13. For a complete list of appropriate donations, visit the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services website at www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

For a detailed schedule of Hawaiian Chieftain’s activities in Sacramento, visit the Historical Seaport website at www.historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239.

Founded in 1976, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services serves families and individuals in need. Over time, SFBFS expanded to meet growing needs and now offers nine diverse programs at two facilities in Sacramento. A staff of 35 employees and several thousand volunteers accomplish SFBFS’ mission of assisting those in need by alleviating their immediate pain and problems and by moving them toward self-sufficiency and financial independence. Additional information about SFBFS is available online at www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

Fan Photos: Lady Washington in Blaine, Pasco

Here's a couple more fan photos of Lady Washington. The top one was taken last summer in Drayton Harbor near Blaine last summer. The bottom one is the second contribution by Jan Neuenschwander of Pasco. If you have a photo or photos to share, send them to photos@historicalseaport.org with info on when and where you took them.

Fan Photo: Halloween Sail in Pasco

Jan Neuenschwander, who sailed with us on our Moonlight Masquerade sail last Friday in Pasco, sent us this photo of a Lady Washington crewman getting into the spirit of things. Note the amazing sunset in the background. If you have a favorite photo to share of your adventure on Lady Washington, email it to photos@historicalseaport.org.