Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain arrive in harbor
 During the “Battle Sails” this weekend and next, you can be aboard the ships as they fire away at each other. Courtesy Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority
The high-masted replicas of maritime vessels of the past skipped their usual visit to Crescent City last year after the March 2011 made the harbor less than hospitable. But this year, the soaring sails of both Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will be docking to provide walk-on tours, public sailings and educational programs for K-12 students.
On-board tours of the yachts of yore will be offered for a $3 donation at select times April 20-29.
Those who would rather hit the high seas in the tall ships can board
one of the vessels for a “Battle Sail.” Real gunpowder and cannons (sans
cannon balls) will be used for a 18th-century naval skirmish, and only
one ship will be declared victor.
“The crews encourage guests to verbally taunt their adversaries,” a Tall Ships press release states.
Participating in Battle Sails costs $40 to $60 and there will be four
opportunities in Crescent City: Saturday and Sunday this weekend, and
April 28 and 29.
If explosions aren’t your thing, raise a sail, sing a sea shanty and
grab the wheel with an “Evening Sail” for $25 on Saturday or April 28.
Purchase tickets by visiting www.historicalseaport.org or by calling 800-200-5239.
Lady Washington was constructed in 1989 as a replica of one of the
first U.S. flagged ships to visit the West Coast of America in the 18th
century. The original Lady Washington transported freight between
colonial ports until the American Revolutionary War, when she became a
privateer and explored Oregon, Washington and British Columbia in search
of furs.
It was the first American vessel to make landfall on the North
American West Coast and first to visit Honolulu, Hong Kong and Japan.
The 112-foot boat has appeared in several movies, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”
The Hawaiian Chieftain, built of steel in 1988, is a replica of a
typical European merchant trader around the turn of the 19th century.
Her hull and rigging are similar to Spanish explorers’ ships used to
explore California, Oregon and Washington in the late 18th century.
For more information, contact Roxie Underwood, 800-200-5239,
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