Whereaway?

[gurdymonkey]

Coming up the channel between Oakland and Alameda, actually. That's the Lady Washington, seen from the deck of the Hawaiian Chieftain, which was already berthed at Jack London Square this morning.

Knowing that the romance of the sea includes motion sickness, cramped quarters and being out in whatever weather happens, and knowing that being prickly and hard to eradicate is the result of a little native caution and common sense, I thought it would be a good idea to take one of the free shipboard tours this morning before deciding whether or not to spring for a battle sail ticket. More photos from this set here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70104978@N00/sets/72157614931589862/

The Hawaiian Chieftain, a replica of an 18th/19th c. merchantman was already in dock and receiving visitors when I arrived. I took some photos from dockside, including several of a crewman unfurling their "Open" banner from the mainmast, then went aboard. I spotted the Lady Washington coming up the channel right about the time the crew got the radio call that they were five minutes out. Anyone aboard at that point was told they either had to remain aboard or be clear of the dock. "Are you kidding? This is the best seat in the house!" I said to the crew member nearest me. It was too. We got to watch the Lady Washington come up past our position, make her turn and then coast into her berth beside us.

I just rushed home to order a ticket for tomorrow's three hour battle sail out of Oakland because this is an opportunity I do not want to waste. Any lubbers who want to join me, the ships leave Jack London Square (Broadway at Embarcadero) at 2PM. Message me here if you want to meet beforehand for brunch or dinner after.
Dockside tours of the ships are from 10am to 1pm and are free of charge.

(Weather for tomorrow should be fine, but a light jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and shoes you can clamber up and down onto the deck in are probably a smart idea.)

EDIT: The more I look at these photos, the more pleased with them I am, especially that shot of the Lady Washington way down channel.

Comments

[moonflake1978.livejournal.com]

Wow! how cool! have a great time tomorrow!

[mermaidlady]

Darn this being on the other coast thing!

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

Gad, I wish I could go!

[tgrcats-tail.livejournal.com]

I love the contrast of the modern ones with the Lady in the background, but I also love the framing on the shot through the loop of rope!
So what is the difference between an 'Adventure sail' and the other one? I poked around their website a bit and did not find an answer (not that it matters, there is no coast for miles and miles and miles...)

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Copious use of black powder. (The descriptions appear here if you click on the "Buy Adventure Sail" or "Buy Battle Sail" links. http://www.historicalseaport.org/web/index.html )

"Our three-hour family-oriented Adventure Sail features a living history experience with demonstrations of tall ship handling, sea shanty singing, and maritime storytelling."

"Our popular three-hour Battle Sails feature booming cannons, close-quarters maneuvers, and a taste of 18th century maritime life aboard tall ships."