Those eager to participate in a mock sea-battle or enjoy an evening sail around Lake Washington, the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will offer both during their week in Kirkland.
The two ships will be at Carillon Point Marina Sept. 1-8 for walk-on tours, public sailing excursions and educational programs for 4-6th grade students. Their Kirkland visits are among the most popular of their stops, and demand has gotten to the point that the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which owns the two ships, is looking at having them possibly stay an additional week next year, according to Communications Director Joseph Follansbee.
“We have more demand than we can meet,” he said.
As part of their visit, the two ships will engage in numerous three-hour sea battles featuring cannon fire between the ships in an effort to recreate a typical 18th century naval skirmish. The ships fire real cannons with real gunpowder, but no cannon balls.
“We will (also) encourage the passengers to taunt their adversaries,” Follansbee said. “The idea is to get the passengers and guests involved with what’s happening on the vessel. They can actively participate or just watch. There’s a variety of ways to participate. It depends on what the guests are comfortable with.”
The ships will also offer adventure and evening sails, two-hour family-oriented excursions in which the guests will have the opportunity to help raise a sail, learn a sea shanty (chant or song) and even take the helm of the ship. Lady Washington is steered by a tiller, while the Chieftain features a ship’s wheel.
One of the core missions is to receive hands-on maritime experience.
“Some folks just prefer quieter experience or don’t like the boom of cannons,” Follansbee said. “It’s a little more quieter, little more sailing oriented.”
Launched in 1989 to celebrate Washington’s 100th birthday, Lady Washington is a 112-foot tall, wooden-hulled replica of one of the first U.S. flagged vessels to visit the west coast of North America. The ship has appeared in television shows and films, including “Star Trek: Generations” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” The steel-made, 103-foot topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain launched in 1989 and was purchased by Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority in 2005.
Tickets for the sea battles are $75 adults, $67 students/seniors/active military, $39 children 12 and under. Adventure sail tickets are $47 adults, $39 children 12 and under. Tickets for the evening sails are $45 all ages.
Visit www.historicalseaport.org to purchase online or call 800-200-5239 during business hours to purchase tickets.
Carillon Point Marina is located at 2150 Carillon Point.
