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Lady Washington expected tonight
By Jessica Musicar, Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 | No comments posted.
COOS BAY — No cannon blasts signaled her arrival, but the privateer’s craft slipped into the Coos Bay City Docks late Tuesday night, just the same.
The Hawaiian Chieftain, one of two tall ships visiting Coos Bay has arrived — although it’s more than a few hours late.
Expected to pull in at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Coos Bay City Docks, The Lady Washington and The Hawaiian Chieftain were delayed far south of Coos Bay by heavy winds. The Lady Washington remained at sea at press time, with the crew hoping to sail into Coos Bay tonight.
“The Oregon Coast is traditionally one of the roughest coasts we ever sail,” said Brion Spore, a former crew member and unofficial spokesman.
Spore was on dock talking with a crowd of onlookers who waited patiently for the ships.
At about 3 p.m. that day, Spore said The Lady Washington was in Port Orford and The Hawaiian Chieftain was near Brookings.
Despite the harsh winds, The Hawaiian Chieftain crossed the bar at about 11:30 p.m. and then docked at 1 a.m., said Joe Follansbee, the communications director for the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which owns and operates both vessels.
But where is the Lady Washington?
“Honestly, we don’t know. The last time we heard from them is when they were in Port Orford taking on fuel,” Follansbee said. He explained the ships were delayed by 45-knot winds Monday, off of Brookings. The Hawaiian Chieftain waited out the storm in Brookings Harbor and The Lady Washington did the same in Port Orford.
“We haven’t heard from her since,” Follansbee said.
That’s not a problem, he added, because contact is maintained via cell phone, and there aren’t cell phone towers at sea.
“This is not unusual by any means.”
He said he expects The Lady Washington to arrive this evening, but could make no guarantees.
That’s the way it was in the 18th century, too.
“These are sailing ships based on 18th century designs. This is a lot like what people had to expect before steam and diesel power were widespread,” Follansbee said.
According to www.historicalseaport.org, The Lady Washington is the official ship of the state of Washington. The Hawaiian Chieftain accompanies her on her voyages and goodwill missions. Both ships are open to tours for the general public when they visit ports in Washington, Oregon, California and British Columbia.
Several hours after the sailing ships were due over the bar at the entrance to Coos Bay, no sails were to be seen on the horizons, save for those on the mast of a small personal schooner.
From the TransPacific Parkway, near the McCullough Bridge, the gentle lapping of water and the thundering of chip trucks on the bridge roadway could be heard, but no sound of wind filling sails.
Among the people waiting to see the majestic wooden ships Tuesday were Cathy and Lloyd Jones of Portland. The Joneses, who stood on the Coos Bay Boardwalk, will be volunteering on one of the ships via “Two Weeks Before the Mast.”
They said they expected to board Tuesday, but probably won’t begin working until today. They added they had originally planned to meet up with the ships on May 1, but those plans also fell through, as The Hawaiian Chieftain needed work, and The Lady Washington ran into a gale, Cathy Jones said.
“Fifty-knot winds put them back into port,” Lloyd Jones said.
“We sail, so we understand how these things happen,” Cathy Jones said.
She said she loves the old vessels, including the catboat earrings that dangled from her ears.
“I almost get teary because we are carrying on a tradition.”
Lloyd Jones, a musician, said he and his wife own a sailboat, but sailing a tall ship is a completely different experience.
“Being sailors, part of the fun of it is dealing with the elements. It’s not like driving a car,” he said, noting it’s understandable that the ships are late. “I’m fascinated by having to do things before there were engines and modern conveniences.”
Former boardwalk caretaker Leo Langlais, 84, who also waited in the wind, said he comes to see the tall ships every year without fail.
“I see them come, and I see them go. I just enjoy it,” Langlais said as he waited for the ships. “I was brought up near the ocean. This is not new for me.”
For more information, those interested can contact (800) 200-LADY.
— Staff Photographer Alex Powers contributed to this story.
The Hawaiian Chieftain, one of two tall ships visiting Coos Bay has arrived — although it’s more than a few hours late.
Expected to pull in at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Coos Bay City Docks, The Lady Washington and The Hawaiian Chieftain were delayed far south of Coos Bay by heavy winds. The Lady Washington remained at sea at press time, with the crew hoping to sail into Coos Bay tonight.
“The Oregon Coast is traditionally one of the roughest coasts we ever sail,” said Brion Spore, a former crew member and unofficial spokesman.
Spore was on dock talking with a crowd of onlookers who waited patiently for the ships.
At about 3 p.m. that day, Spore said The Lady Washington was in Port Orford and The Hawaiian Chieftain was near Brookings.
Despite the harsh winds, The Hawaiian Chieftain crossed the bar at about 11:30 p.m. and then docked at 1 a.m., said Joe Follansbee, the communications director for the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which owns and operates both vessels.
But where is the Lady Washington?
“Honestly, we don’t know. The last time we heard from them is when they were in Port Orford taking on fuel,” Follansbee said. He explained the ships were delayed by 45-knot winds Monday, off of Brookings. The Hawaiian Chieftain waited out the storm in Brookings Harbor and The Lady Washington did the same in Port Orford.
“We haven’t heard from her since,” Follansbee said.
That’s not a problem, he added, because contact is maintained via cell phone, and there aren’t cell phone towers at sea.
“This is not unusual by any means.”
He said he expects The Lady Washington to arrive this evening, but could make no guarantees.
That’s the way it was in the 18th century, too.
“These are sailing ships based on 18th century designs. This is a lot like what people had to expect before steam and diesel power were widespread,” Follansbee said.
According to www.historicalseaport.org, The Lady Washington is the official ship of the state of Washington. The Hawaiian Chieftain accompanies her on her voyages and goodwill missions. Both ships are open to tours for the general public when they visit ports in Washington, Oregon, California and British Columbia.
Several hours after the sailing ships were due over the bar at the entrance to Coos Bay, no sails were to be seen on the horizons, save for those on the mast of a small personal schooner.
From the TransPacific Parkway, near the McCullough Bridge, the gentle lapping of water and the thundering of chip trucks on the bridge roadway could be heard, but no sound of wind filling sails.
Among the people waiting to see the majestic wooden ships Tuesday were Cathy and Lloyd Jones of Portland. The Joneses, who stood on the Coos Bay Boardwalk, will be volunteering on one of the ships via “Two Weeks Before the Mast.”
They said they expected to board Tuesday, but probably won’t begin working until today. They added they had originally planned to meet up with the ships on May 1, but those plans also fell through, as The Hawaiian Chieftain needed work, and The Lady Washington ran into a gale, Cathy Jones said.
“Fifty-knot winds put them back into port,” Lloyd Jones said.
“We sail, so we understand how these things happen,” Cathy Jones said.
She said she loves the old vessels, including the catboat earrings that dangled from her ears.
“I almost get teary because we are carrying on a tradition.”
Lloyd Jones, a musician, said he and his wife own a sailboat, but sailing a tall ship is a completely different experience.
“Being sailors, part of the fun of it is dealing with the elements. It’s not like driving a car,” he said, noting it’s understandable that the ships are late. “I’m fascinated by having to do things before there were engines and modern conveniences.”
Former boardwalk caretaker Leo Langlais, 84, who also waited in the wind, said he comes to see the tall ships every year without fail.
“I see them come, and I see them go. I just enjoy it,” Langlais said as he waited for the ships. “I was brought up near the ocean. This is not new for me.”
For more information, those interested can contact (800) 200-LADY.
— Staff Photographer Alex Powers contributed to this story.
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