The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is calling all hands to help restore the Lady Washington for future generations.
The crew is hard at work taking down the masts and sails. Within two weeks, Lady Washington will come out of the water, and the restoration begins. Through the Coast Guard, the project team, and crew inspections, they have added another $300,000 for critical projects. These additional costs keep growing for Phase 1 of Lady’s restoration. They have set monthly goals to fund these projects. Their goal for October is $100,000. To donate go to https://historicalseaport.org/donate.
Not only does your gift bring the joy of sailing to many, but it also provides wonderful experiences and training for our students and the public who come aboard. Your donation also preserves Lady Washington. Most importantly, your donation supports the crew working and the office staff working behind the scenes.
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.
