Most of us are unable to recreate the past, no matter how badly we want to. However, Grays Historical Seaport, based in Washington, has successfully brought a past treasure into the present, recreating historical “tall ships” identical to those that sailed more than 200 years ago. 
Tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain tour through several West Coast cities year-round to introduce the public to maritime history. This November and December, the two tall ships will dock in Morro Bay for public tours, adventure and battle sails, and to participate in the annual Lighted Boat Parade event.
The Lady Washington will be arriving in Morro Bay on November 23, and the Hawaiian Chieftain will be arriving on December 4. Both ships will be departing on December 12. There will be free weekday tours open to the public from 4-5pm, closed on Mondays. On weekends, the ships will be hosting “adventure sails” and “battle sails” at sea.
“Some people imagine a modern ship, or a Navy cutter,” says Execute Director Brandi Bednarik. “‘Pirate Ship’ comes pretty close, but it leaves out the truth of why ships like these sailed mostly for trade, exploration, and in military action. Our mission is to share this history with the American public.”
Both ships have a unique history dating back to the 1700’s. The Lady Washington was the first American vessel to make landfall on the west coast of North America in 1788, as well as the first to visit Honolulu, Hong Kong and Japan. The Hawaiian Chieftain is inspired by early colonial passenger and coastal packets that traded amongst Atlantic coastal cities and towns.
In 1993, both replicas engaged in their first “mock sea battle” in San Francisco, blossoming a relationship that would perform for years to come.
Dockside visitors can expect to tour the vessel and talk with the crew, while sailing passengers will experience the crew in-action and the ship under wind power.
For a schedule of events for the Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington’s visit in Morro Bay, click HERE.
