Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is undergoing the restoration the Lady Washington.

The unstepping of Lady Washington’s masts went smoothly for the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, according to a crew report. It took some time, but all the spars and rigging are now well-secured, with everything but the lower masts under cover. Work has started on the head rails and they’ve found some rusted bolts — no surprise there!

Through the Coast Guard, the project team, and crew inspections, they have added another $300,000 for critical projects.

Phase 1 Ship Restoration includes:

Replacement of aging wood

Installation of all-new rigging

Two new masts

Safety upgrades

Crew living quarter improvements

Engineering and electrical work

Purchase of a new generator

History

Launched on March 7, 1989, the Lady Washington was built in Aberdeen, by Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, a not-for-profit public development authority. The new Lady Washington is a full-scale replica of the original Lady Washington.

In 1787, after the Revolutionary War, she was given a major refit to prepare her for an unprecedented trading voyage around Cape Horn. In 1788, she became the first American vessel to make landfall on the West Coast of North America.

A pioneer in Pan-Pacific trade, she was the first American ship to visit Honolulu, Hong Kong and Japan. Lady Washington opened the black pearl and sandalwood trade between Hawaii and Asia when King Kamehameha became a partner in the ship.

The modern Lady Washington, constructed as a brig, was thoroughly researched by historians and traditionally constructed by skilled shipwrights. She was launched as part of the 1989 Washington State Centennial celebration. The new Lady Washington is a U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified passenger sailing vessel.

Over the years, Lady Washington has appeared in several motion pictures and television shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Star Trek: Generations, Once Upon A Time, and Revolution.

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