EXPERIENCE > YOUTH ACTIVITIES > SAILING AND BOATING
Reported by Jake Kreager, Youth Correspondent
Traditionally rigged sailing ships — commonly known as “tall ships” — are a rarity in the modern world where ocean-going vessels rely on mechanical engines to propel themselves. But in centuries past, wind power was the most efficient way to travel across the sea and vessels equipped with sails came in all shapes and sizes. Whether built for coastal sailing or for circumnavigating the globe, the basics of their design and mechanics has changed little over the centuries.
For approximately 9,000 students every year, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport in Washington provides the opportunity to step back in time and learn hands-on about the art and skill required to sail. The Seaport provides this through two sailing vessels, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain.
“Our mission is purely educational,” said Annaliese Dempsy, the steward and educational coordinator onboard Lady Washington.
This “tall ship” was launched in March 1989 but is patterned after one of the first American trading vessels to reach Oregon and other parts of the Pacific Northwest. At 112 feet long overall with masts nearly 90 feet tall, it is an impressive floating classroom. Annaliese acted as tour guide and historian for our correspondent, Jake Kreager, during his visit to the ship in May 2015. She provided Jake with a glimpse into what it was like to work onboard a wooden vessel over two centuries ago.
“It was a rough life and very hard work,” Annaliese told Jake, “but you were guaranteed three meals a day, which you might not have gotten if you were a farmer or some other profession from the same class level. The food was fairly decent and plentiful, but it was also very physically demanding work so you were burning lots of calories during the day.”
The historical Lady Washington (more commonly known as the Washington) had an impressive history which underscores the rigors of ocean travel during the late eighteenth century. Although little is known about the ship’s earliest years at sea, she sailed into history in 1788 when she became the first American vessel to round Cape Horn under the command of the famous explorer, Captain Robert Gray. After completing this treacherous journey, the brig participated in the fur trade along the west coast of North America. It was the first American ship to make landfall on the Oregon Coast, dropping anchor near Tillamook in 1789. For most of the next decade, the ship traveled back and forth across the Pacific Ocean, trading goods in ports as distant as Japan and China. Sadly, she sunk at the mouth of the Mestizo River, Philippines, in July 1797.
Reported by Jake Kreager, Youth Correspondent
Traditionally rigged sailing ships — commonly known as “tall ships” — are a rarity in the modern world where ocean-going vessels rely on mechanical engines to propel themselves. But in centuries past, wind power was the most efficient way to travel across the sea and vessels equipped with sails came in all shapes and sizes. Whether built for coastal sailing or for circumnavigating the globe, the basics of their design and mechanics has changed little over the centuries.
For approximately 9,000 students every year, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport in Washington provides the opportunity to step back in time and learn hands-on about the art and skill required to sail. The Seaport provides this through two sailing vessels, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain.
“Our mission is purely educational,” said Annaliese Dempsy, the steward and educational coordinator onboard Lady Washington.
This “tall ship” was launched in March 1989 but is patterned after one of the first American trading vessels to reach Oregon and other parts of the Pacific Northwest. At 112 feet long overall with masts nearly 90 feet tall, it is an impressive floating classroom. Annaliese acted as tour guide and historian for our correspondent, Jake Kreager, during his visit to the ship in May 2015. She provided Jake with a glimpse into what it was like to work onboard a wooden vessel over two centuries ago.
“It was a rough life and very hard work,” Annaliese told Jake, “but you were guaranteed three meals a day, which you might not have gotten if you were a farmer or some other profession from the same class level. The food was fairly decent and plentiful, but it was also very physically demanding work so you were burning lots of calories during the day.”
The historical Lady Washington (more commonly known as the Washington) had an impressive history which underscores the rigors of ocean travel during the late eighteenth century. Although little is known about the ship’s earliest years at sea, she sailed into history in 1788 when she became the first American vessel to round Cape Horn under the command of the famous explorer, Captain Robert Gray. After completing this treacherous journey, the brig participated in the fur trade along the west coast of North America. It was the first American ship to make landfall on the Oregon Coast, dropping anchor near Tillamook in 1789. For most of the next decade, the ship traveled back and forth across the Pacific Ocean, trading goods in ports as distant as Japan and China. Sadly, she sunk at the mouth of the Mestizo River, Philippines, in July 1797.
Unlike Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain is not a recreation of a historical vessel but a modern interpretation of a 19th century design. Engineered on the island of Maui, Hawaii, in 1988, she was purchased by the Historical Seaport in 2005. Today, she joins Lady Washington for educational cruises and ambassadorial visits along the west coast of the United States.
The ships’ educational programs cover three major areas: daily life of the sailor, navigation and trade. Visitors are invited to handle tools, sample foods and explore the often dark and cramped conditions sailors endured below deck. For a more intensive experience, volunteers can go through a two-week sailing “boot camp” called Two Weeks Before the Mast. This intensive program will train you how to become a tall ship sailor, providing you with diverse skills such as knot-tying, mending sails, navigation and more. Annaliese noted that it was this program that first got her interested in sailing tall ships. The program costs $650 but scholarships are available for persons 18 years and older.
“Being on board a ship like this really teaches you how strong you are as a person — and not just physically. Sometimes it’s just you and your shipmates and the boat in the middle of the ocean. If there’s a problem, you need to handle it yourself and that really tests who you are,” Annaliese said with a smile.
To learn more about the tall ships and the educational programs of the Historical Seaport, visit them online at historicalseaport.org.
Related Features: Discovery of the Hidden River
The ships’ educational programs cover three major areas: daily life of the sailor, navigation and trade. Visitors are invited to handle tools, sample foods and explore the often dark and cramped conditions sailors endured below deck. For a more intensive experience, volunteers can go through a two-week sailing “boot camp” called Two Weeks Before the Mast. This intensive program will train you how to become a tall ship sailor, providing you with diverse skills such as knot-tying, mending sails, navigation and more. Annaliese noted that it was this program that first got her interested in sailing tall ships. The program costs $650 but scholarships are available for persons 18 years and older.
“Being on board a ship like this really teaches you how strong you are as a person — and not just physically. Sometimes it’s just you and your shipmates and the boat in the middle of the ocean. If there’s a problem, you need to handle it yourself and that really tests who you are,” Annaliese said with a smile.
To learn more about the tall ships and the educational programs of the Historical Seaport, visit them online at historicalseaport.org.
Related Features: Discovery of the Hidden River