The tall ships are coming

Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain to sail into GH

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

The lure of the ocean is an ancient lure. And for people in the Maritime City, the tug is especially strong.

But even the most staunch landlubbers will find a treat and get a feel of how crews sailed huge wooden boats when the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain come to town.

Both tall ships will dock at Arabella’s Landing in Gig Harbor for three days and offer dockside tours of the magnificent boats.

For those who want a more hands-on feel, adventure tours and cannon battles will take visitors for a sea-fairing trip.

The cannon battles aims to be reminiscent of the days when all-important encounters on the high seas could determine the outcome of wars.

The ships will maneuver around each other for position, and ear-shattering mock cannon fire will ring across the water.

“The adventure tours are more quiet,” said Joe Sollansbee, communications director for the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, where the ships are stationed.

“The tours will go out of harbor into the sound a little bit.”

The ships have sailed together out of various ports for years, but they became a permanent team when the historical seaport purchased the Hawaiian Chieftain in 2004.

“They travel together 80 to 85 percent of the time,” Sollansbee said. “Both boats work as a team.”

For more information, call 253-851-1793 or visit www.historicalseaport.org.

Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain schedule

During the five-day visit, the tall ships plan to be on the following schedule:

Aug. 27 — Dockside tours from 4 to 6 p.m.

Aug. 28 — Dockside tours from 12:30 to 6 p.m.

Aug. 29 — Dockside tours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and battle sail from 2 to 5 p.m.

Aug. 30 — Adventure sail from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and battle sail from 2 to 5 p.m.

Aug. 31 — Departure at 8 a.m.