The dream of a 13-year-old boy came true today when he successfully commanded the Lady Washington during her mock battle with the Hawaiian Chieftain on Seattle's Lake Union. The
Make-A-Wish Foundation worked with the
Seafair Pirates and the Historical Seaport to organize the wish of Joseph Johnson, who wanted to become a pirate for a day and command a pirate vessel.
On Friday night, the Seafair Pirates made Joseph an honorary pirate, dubbing him "Capt. Happy Joe Rackham." This morning, the newly minted pirate leader, who struggles in real life with a life-threatening condition called "pulmonary arterial hypertension," joined his mates for the annual invasion of Seattle's Alki Beach, which is the traditional kickoff for the Seafair community festival. In the afternoon, Capt. Rackham and his family from Ellensburg came aboard the Lady Washington, and under the mentorship of Lady Washington's officers, directed the action against the Hawaiian Chieftain.
Rackham was a tough but fair taskmaster; Orders to "Put your backs into it!" and "Lively, now!" were clearly heard on shore. Relatively reliable witnesses report that Lady Washington soundly defeated Hawaiian Chieftain. Lady Washington graciously allowed the Chieftain to limp back to her berth, though the latter's crew vowed revenge at their next meeting, Sunday at 2 p.m.
Top: Capt. Happy Joe Rackham leads Jessie Elenbaas of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Capt. Steven Mann of the Lady Washington as they prepare to do battle with Hawaiian Chieftain.
Middle: Mann presents Happy Joe with a gift of coins from the crew and the Seaport.
Bottom: Lady Washington departs Lake Union Park with Happy Joe at the helm.
The dream of a 13-year-old boy came true today when he successfully commanded the Lady Washington during her mock battle with the Hawaiian Chieftain on Seattle's Lake Union. The Make-A-Wish Foundation worked with the Seafair Pirates and the Historical Seaport to organize the wish of Joseph Johnson, who wanted to become a pirate for a day and command a pirate vessel.
Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain had a great opening day today at the 34th annual Lake Union Wooden Boats Festival in Seattle, which is sponsored by the Center for Wooden Boats. The sun came out (amazing!) and so did the tourists and locals, many of whom went out with the boats on the 2 p.m. Battle Sail. I could hear the sounds of cannon fire bouncing off the new glass and steel towers going up in the neighborhood. (You can see them in the background.) Tomorrow's Fireworks Sail at 8 p.m. is just about sold out, though we have lots of tickets for the 10 a.m. Adventure Sail and 2 p.m. Battle Sail. Don't forget our new Evening Sails next week, plus more sails next weekend. Hope to see you on Lake Union!
Tall ships fan and Facebook friend Chad Emerson sent us these photos of the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain transiting through the Chittenden Locks (also called the Ballard Locks) in Seattle late yesterday. The boats are now at Lake Union Park in Seattle preparing for the 34th annual Lake Union Wooden Boats Festival. We're offering a full schedule of Adventure Sails, Battle Sails, and value-priced Evening Sails through July 11. We're also inviting people aboard for a Fireworks Sail Sunday night on Lake Union. For info, visit our website.
