Lady Washington under escort near Long Beach

Lindsey Hoffman, a deckhand on the San Pedro-based brigantine Exy Johnson, sent us this photo of Lady Washington nearing the marina at Long Beach on Dec. 1. The photo was taken aboard Exy's sister ship, Irving Johnson, as she escorted Lady Washington. "The two ships greeted one another with cannon fire and biodegradable water balloons to the great amusement of crew and passengers alike," Lindsey says. Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain, Exy Johnson, and Irving Johnson will participate in a four-ship Battle Sail on Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. A great gift idea, eh? Buy tickets online at www.historicalseaport.org or www.lamitopsail.org.