Seaport, Whitney's Partner on Scholarships

The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority has partnered with Whitney’s Auto Group of Montesano to raise scholarship funds for Grays Harbor and Pacific County public school students. During the month of April only, for every person who visits Whitney’s Chevrolet, Aberdeen Honda, or Whitney’s Value Ford, and says, “I'm here to take a test drive for the kids," Whitney’s Auto Group will sponsor one student for a Voyages of Discovery educational program aboard Lady Washington or Hawaiian Chieftain.

Every “test drive for the kids” at Whitney’s Chevrolet, Aberdeen Honda or Whitney’s Value Ford helps match a four-year, $425,000 grant by the Seattle-based Magic Cabinet Foundation. The MCF grant funds 85 percent of the cost of the program for “economically challenged” public schools designated “Title I” by the U.S. Department of Education. The Whitney’s Auto Group contribution provides the balance of the program cost, which means the program is free to the schools and the students.

“We are pleased that a prominent and community-minded local business like Whitney’s has stepped up to help us provide free shipboard education programs to local students,” said Les Bolton, GHHSA executive director. “Whitney’s Auto Group has a long history of supporting our programs and local education.”

Other individuals or businesses interested in sponsoring a student or a classroom are encouraged to contact Roxie Underwood, Historical Seaport programs manager, 360-532-8611, education@historicalseaport.org.

The Voyages of Discovery education program invites students aboard Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain to raise a sail, learn a sea shanty, and take the helm of a real tall ship under sail. The program is at the core of the Historical Seaport mission, which is to promote and preserve the maritime history of Grays Harbor, the Pacific Northwest, and the nation while serving the needs of the community. Grays Harbor public school educators interested in signing up for a program should contact Roxie Underwood, 800-200-5239, education@historicalseaport.org.

Lost Hawaiian Chieftain Figurehead Found in a California Garden

Every once in a while, we hear an amazing story that demonstrates how small our world has become. In 2006, exactly five years ago, the Hawaiian Chieftain was sailing off the northern California coast on her way from Eureka to Brookings, Ore. She encountered a terrible storm with waves so powerful, they tore the figurehead off the boat. We all thought the carved image of a Hawaiian king was lost forever.

Then we heard recently from Stephanie Morrissette of Eureka and her friend Kevin Staples, who had sailed with us during our stop there earlier this month. Stephanie and Kevin sent us the above photo, thinking we might recognize it. Sure enough, it's the lost figurehead. Stephanie says she found it about five years ago on a beach near Arcata, missing its right shoulder and part of the jaw. It's sitting now in the garden of her Eureka home, "casting a watchful eye from his position under the rhododendron," as she puts it. Thanks to Stephanie for telling us about her discovery.

Hawaiian Chieftain received a new figurehead with a similar design in 2008.

Purser Wanted for Lady Washington, Starts May 5

Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority has an opening for a purser aboard the brig Lady Washington. The purser is a paid staff position responsible for the accurate tracking, recording and reporting of all income and expenses aboard the Lady Washington. This includes oversight and responsibility for the Ship’s Store, admissions, charters, donations, sailing and education program fees, as well as all ship-related expenses. Accurate record keeping, daily and weekly reports are essential. The contract is for three to six months. The position starts May 5, 2011. (Lady Washington is scheduled to be in Aberdeen, Wash. on that date.) More information about working for the Historical Seaport is available on this page. To apply, send a resume and a brief introduction to marine_ops@historicalseaport.org.

Author Speaks in Hoquiam about Lady Washington

Author Scott Ridley, left, and Dr. Price Chenault share a moment at the Polson Museum after Ridley's talk today about his new book, Morning of Fire: John Kendrick’s Daring American Odyssey in the Pacific. Kendrick was captain of the original Lady Washington when it visited the Pacific Northwest in the late 18th century. Ridley traveled all the way from Boston to the Polson Museum to give his talk to an enthusiastic crowd of more than 50 people. Ridley said Kendrick's story was one of the great untold stories of American maritime history. Many thanks to Dr. Chenault for organizing Scott's talk and helping us raise funds for Seaport Landing, our planned maintenance facility and tourism destination in Aberdeen. Thanks also to the Polson Museum for hosting our event.

Fan Photo: Lady Washington and the Bay Bridge

A guest who goes by the name "Swabby Bobby" sent us this unusual photo of Lady Washington about to pass under the Bay Bridge near San Francisco. The image creates the cool illusion that the boat's masthead is just about to scrape the underside of the bridge, which is of course, far taller. Here's how Swabby described his experience.

We enlisted on the good ship Lady Washington as land-lubber passengers last Sunday, 3/13/11, for the Adventure Sail cruise of our life on San Francisco Bay.  The three-hour tour (sounds ominously familiar, somehow) was the best experience I've had in a long time!  After sailing the Bay in an historically accurate square-rigged boat, cutting through the edge of the tidal flow, and seeing the City through ropes, lines, and yards like sailors did hundreds of years ago, I much more fully appreciate that cutting edge technology that transported people across vast distances of open ocean.  I have remarked to some friends that during our adventure sail I didn't observe one person on board whip out a cell phone, iPod, Blackberry, or laptop.  A tribute to the excellent crew who managed to educate and entertain all of us jaded world-travelers the entire time we were under way.

If you have a story and/or pictures to share, send them to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Fan Photos: LW Crossing the Humboldt Bay Bar

Photographer Steve Cousins captured these images of the Lady Washington crossing the Humboldt Bay bar near Eureka on Wednesday about 8 a.m. Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are at the Adorni Center downtown and tickets are selling well for the Battle Sails and Adventure Sail this weekend. Buy your tickets online or call 800-200-5239.

Video: An Adventure Sail in San Francisco

One of our guests during our recent San Francisco visit was Javier Ideami, a photographer and videographer, who shot and edited this beautiful portrait of Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain. The video captures the experience of an Adventure Sail, one of our most popular activities. See more of Javier's work at http://www.ideami.com. If you have video to share, send your YouTube link to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Fan Photos: San Francisco

We received an avalanche of beautiful photos from fans who sailed with us in San Francisco. Top: Yvonne Bowers captured crew climbing the foremast on Hawaiian Chieftain. Middle: Lisa Joseph took a great portrait of one of the crew aboard Hawaiian Chieftain. View more of Lisa's photos. Bottom: Konrad Sosnow took a photo of the Bay Bridge through the shrouds of Lady Washington. Share your photos of our ships by sending them to photos@historicalseaport.org.

Tsunami: Our Boats Unaffected; Crescent City Visit In Doubt

We've received a number of calls and emails about the condition of Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain after the tsunami that hit the California coast this morning. The tsunami was caused by today's devastating earthquake in Japan. The boats are currently at Pier 40 on the San Francisco waterfront, a well-protected area of San Francisco Bay. We contacted the boats at 1 a.m. Pacific Time, as soon as we heard about the impending tsunami. The boats took appropriate precautions, and they reported only minor wave action and no damage when the tsunami reached them about 8:30 a.m.

However, the news out of Crescent City is not good. According to news reports, the city's harbor was heavily damaged during the tsunami, and we're not sure if we will be able to visit as scheduled March 24 to 30. We are attempting to reach harbor authorities, but they are understandably busy assessing the damage. We'll post any change to our schedule as soon as we know more details.

Cook Wanted for Hawaiian Chieftain, Start 4/25

The Historical Seaport is seeking an experienced cook for its spring and summer season aboard the topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain. The cook prepares three meals per day for a paid crew of seven, a number of volunteers, and transit passengers. Pay is $750 to $1,000 per month, depending on experience. Room and board provided. Medical benefits available after 90 days. Tall ship sailing experience is helpful, but not required. Position starts on April 25, 2011. (Hawaiian Chieftain will be in St. Helens, Ore., on that date.) More information about working for the Historical Seaport is available on this page. To apply, send a resume and a brief introduction to marine_ops@historicalseaport.org.

Video: The Spar Shop's Tracer Lathe

Check out this just-produced video featuring the tracer lathe at the Historical Seaport's Spar Shop. The mast on the lathe is the new one for the schooner Zodiac, which we delivered last month. It will be installed in the next few weeks.

The Spar Shop at the Historical Seaport is a unique operation specializing in ship's wooden masts and spars, as well as custom columns and poles. We also provide custom milling of wood gaffs, booms, timbers, beams and cants. Learn more about the process for wooden spar making and mast making. Call us now at 800-200-5239 to discuss your project or email us at sparshop@historicalseaport.org for a free quote! Check us out at http://www.thesparshop.org/. For a larger version of the video, go to our YouTube channel.