You may have seen the majestic Lady Washington in such films such as “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” or “Star Trek: Generations.” But did you know it was originally created in 1787? Yeah, it’s that old. Kind of.
History Lesson!
According to Historical Seaport, in 1788 the original Lady Washington became the first American vessel to make landfall on the west coast of North America. This ship went on to sail across the world to Japan, Hong Kong and the island of Honolulu, playing a vital part in the beginning of the Pan-Pacific trade.
In 1989, because of the fascinating history of the ship and its achievements, the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport wanted to build a full-scale replica of the original. The final product came in at 112 feet in length (including 67 feet of deck), 210 tons of displacement and a total sail area of 4,442 feet. Able to carry a crew of twelve and a maximum of forty-five passengers, this replica is the perfect size for group sails.
Take a Ride
Which is exactly what you can do, and not just from Aberdeen. No, no. This refined vessel is constantly on the go. With the partial 2018 schedule already posted on their website, travelers can expect to find the Lady Washington from now until then spending time primarily in California. But they do visit between forty and fifty ports per year, including occasional trips to B.C. Canada. Sometime after April, she is expected to do a Columbia River Tour – so checking the website is vital to book your trip!
To get an idea of what kind of trips you can book, taking a look at their past trips will give visitors a well-rounded idea. For example, in 2017 there were three different programs. Beginning with the Adventure Sail, their “family-oriented” sail will emerge guests in “tall ship handling, sea shanty singing and maritime amusement,” that goes for two or three hours. Continuing on with the Battle Sail which includes “booming cannons, close-quarters maneuvers, and a taste of 18th century maritime life aboard tall ships.” And ending with the Evening Sail, which is the same as the Adventure Sail, but with the sunset in background!
Learning about the history of this pioneer vessel while on the ship is something to remember, for even the smallest members of your family or group.
Photos courtesy of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport.
[…] the perfect comfort food joint? Look no further than the well-loved Billy’s Bar and Grill in Aberdeen. Dishes include chicken fried steak, seafood platters and the legendary ‘brick burger’ that […]