We’re fascinated by Oregon’s historic spots, but we also love traveling outside the state to visit other places around the country to learn about the history of America. This May, we won’t have to travel farther than our very own coast to get a taste of the Revolutionary War, when these two tall ships come right into Coos Bay. Take a look:
The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are coming soon to Oregon! These gorgeous ships are reproductions of Revolutionary War-era ships, and they’re absolutely stunning.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
The Lady Washington was built by the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, a non-profit that promotes history education. She was built in 1989, but she’s an exact replica of a much, much older ship with a fascinating history. While some people think that she was named after the ship on the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, her history goes much deeper than that.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
The original Lady Washington was a war ship during the Revolutionary War. Named for America’s first First Lady, Martha Washington, she spent the war years harassing British ships. After the war was over, she was retrofitted as a trading vessel in 1787.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
In 1788, Lady Washington sailed around Cape Horn and was the first American ship to reach the West Coast. Afterwards, she was the first to make the voyage to Hawaii, Japan, and Hong Kong. So while you might know her name from the more recent Disney pirate movie, the movie actually got the name from the real ship - a war hero and explorer from the 1700s!
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
The Lady Washington you’ll see here in May is an exact replica of the original. She weighs 99 tons, has an overall length of 122 feet, and a mast of 89 feet high. She might be pretty, but make no mistake: she’s carrying four guns - two swivels aft, and two three pounders, as well as a crew of 12 brave sailors.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
The Hawaiian Chieftain was built in 1988, and she was also styled after ships during the early Colonial period. Built in Hawaii, she was named in honor of Maui’s King Kahekili. She joined Lady Washington many years ago to sail along as her companion.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
You’ll have the opportunity to climb aboard both of these beautiful vessels May 1st through May 5th in Coos Bay. The ships will be reserved exclusively for Oregon’s schoolchildren to take tours the 1st through the 3rd from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but the public will be welcome aboard the rest of the time the ships are in harbor.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
Climb aboard for a vessel tour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 3rd, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th. You’ll step right back in time when you step aboard these historic reproduction ships. The cost for tours is just a $5 donation to the non-profit.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
For a real treat, take the Adventure Sail on Hawaiian Chieftain, Saturday May 4th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. You’ll meet the crew, learn how to rig the sails, and sing along in a sea shanty, a rousing work song that ship’s crews sing to pass the time while they’re laboring on the ship. Tickets for the Adventure Sail cost $49-$55.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
For a swashbuckling adventure, you’ll want to join in the Battle Sail. During this voyage, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will engage in a full-scale battle! Watch the crews display their skill, fire the cannons and maneuver through the waters to see who can win the battle. Tickets for the Battle Sail cost $59-$79.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook The Battle Sail takes place May 4th and 5th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
We can’t wait to see these two historic ships! Tickets for the Adventure and Battle Sails always sell out, so make sure to get yours well in advance.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook Click here to be directed to the ticketing site.
Are you ready to climb aboard Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain? Make sure to visit the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport website to find out more, and to book your tickets.
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport/Facebook
The Battle Sail takes place May 4th and 5th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Click here to be directed to the ticketing site.
To explore Oregon’s history, you might want to visit the grave of this famous explorer, and learn all about the Oregon Trail at this special place.
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