V O L U M E XI, N U M B E R 2
P u b l i s h e d for members of the Center for Wooden Boats
M a r c h - A p r i l 1989
SOUTHLAKE PARK: A MODEST PROPOSAL FROM CWB AND NWSP In the b e g i n n i n g the e a r t h cooled; the dinosaurs came. The B i g Freeze followed; then came r a i n , moss, a n d giant slugs. A n d then Seattle began w i t h a graceless Crosshatch of roads. B u t i n these days o f p r i m a l g r i d attempts were made to p l a n for Seattle's " C i t y B e a u t i f u l " future. In 1903 the Olmstead Brothers of New York's C e n t r a l P a r k fame were h i r e d to survey o p p o r t u n i t i e s for p a r k s i n S e a t t l e . T h e i r recommendations i n c l u d e d G o l d e n G a r d e n s a n d G a s W o r k s P o i n t sites. In 1911 the C i t y recruited V i r g i l Bogue for a long-range development scheme. He v i s u a l i z e d a civic center a n d a r a p i d t r a n s i t system, i n c l u d i n g subways a n d elevated tracks. H e also i n c l u d e d a n i d e a for S o u t h L a k e U n i o n — a grand-scale production, w i t h a half-circle waterfront promenade s u r r o u n d i n g a motor boat m a r i n a a n d water taxi t e r m i n a l . He called it "Seattle's Watergate." W h i l e the Watergate p l a n gathered dust, South L a k e U n i o n developed into an i n d u s t r i a l area. Today, the smoke belching factories are just barely gone,
the neighborhood is m a i n l y a w a r e h o u s e d i s t r i c t , a n d the state's most h e a v i l y used traffic corridor r u n s along its edge. Seattle w i l l create a park in this area, a n d the C i t y C o u n c i l is consideri n g 2 proposals—1 from the M a y o r a n d the other from the Center for Wooden Boats ( C W B ) a n d N o r t h w e s t Seaport ( N W S P ) . The difference between the 2 seems m i n i m a l at first since both show a lot of u n p r o g r a m m e d green space. B u t , to us, the rather s m a l l area on W a t e r w a y 4 a n d i t s west bank are extremely i m p o r t a n t for the welfare of our m a r i t i m e heritage. The potential u p l a n d size of both plans is 14 acres, w i t h 3,000 feet of waterfront. We are proposing use of 2 a c r e s o f u p l a n d a n d 4 0 0 feet o f waterfront, providing space for worki n g display of boat a n d ship restoration a n d moorage for 3 of N o r t h w e s t Seaport's 4 historic vessels. The restoration, i n c l u d i n g carpentry, r i g g i n g , a n d forging a n d casting, is not only neat to watch a n d a unique educational experience, but it is essential to keeping
1
o u r h i s t o r i c v e s s e l s afloat. A l l the u p l a n d space a n d ships w i l l be open to the public, of course. T h i s p l a n also keeps C W B and N W S P side by side. The effect of t r a m p i n g the decks of the b i g historic ships a n d then t a k i n g a spin on L a k e U n i o n in a s m a l l craft of the same e r a is an experience too precious to lose. F i f t y t h o u s a n d people v i s i t C W B / N S W P each year without the lawns and bosquets. T h e y come to see the boats. B o a t w a t c h i n g is a t r a d i t i o n a l Seattle recreation. W i t n e s s the Government Locks. The landscaping there is textbook magnificent, but visitors quick-step past it to gawk at the boats. F r a n k l y , we see l i t t l e attraction to the p a r k w i t h o u t the historic vessels, a n d a p a r k isn't a p a r k w i t h o u t people. We have also given thought to the open space. We w i s h to preserve the existing b i r d refuge at the south end of W a t e r w a y 3. It is the nesting site for M a l l a r d s , C a n a d a Geese, P i e d - b i l l e d Grebe, G r e a t B l u e H e r o n , Red-winged B l a c k b i r d s , a n d K i l l d e e r . The floating path across W a t e r w a y 3 helps preserve the b i r d sanctuary a n d gives the public a more i n t e r e s t i n g connection across the w a t e r w a y — a w a y from the streetb u s t l e . S m a l l boats can go under a bridge at the west side. T h e w i n d i n g canal a n d B i r d Island (made from the canal excavation) are concepts only, i n d i c a t i n g how important it is to emphasize the magic of entering t h i s p a r k , in contrast to the f u r y of the adjoining traffic corridor. T h i n k of the canal as a path surrounded w i t h b i r d - a t t r a c t i n g planted berms. It's a quiet, h u m a n - s c a l e d l i n k between W a t e r w a y s 3 a n d 4. It could simply be a d i r t t r a i l , maybe excavated later. The O l m s t e a d boys h a d a good idea about S o u t h l a k e in 1903, but the locks were b u i l t in 1916, a n d they became our W a t e r g a t e . I t h i n k the Olmsteads would agree w i t h us that South L a k e U n i o n now is Seattle's last a n d best opportunity to have our maritime heritage emerge from i t s cocoon stage a n d become a multicolored butterfly. — D i c k Wagner
SMALL TOWN LAUNCHES TALL SHIP
PRINCESS-NEW YORK
It was a gray day in G r a y s H a r b o r , r a i n y a n d wet. Moreover, i t h a d been r a i n y a n d wet since the l a s t snowfall i n F e b r u a r y . B u t R i c h M i l e s didn't seem to m i n d . "We k n e w we could count on the weather," he said w i t h a g r i n . "It a l w a y s rains." Outside in the r a i n , a crowd of r e s i dents a n d w e l l - w i s h e r s l i n e d the b a n k s of the W i s h k a h R i v e r . They didn't seem to m i n d the weather any more t h a n M i l e s d i d . T h e y h a d a l l gathered t o w a t c h t h e l a u n c h i n g o f t h e Lady Washington, the State C e n t e n n i a l T a l l S h i p , three years i n the p l a n n i n g a n d 18 months a - b u i l d i n g . She's a r e p l i c a of one of C a p t a i n Robert G r a y ' s ships, a bluff-bowed, two-masted square-rigged sloop, a n d t h e G r a y s H a r b o r c o m m u n i t y hope t h a t it w i l l be the core of a h i s t o r i c a l seaport t h a t w i l l be a f a m i l y stopover for the thousands of tourists h e a d i n g for W a s h i n g t o n ' s seacoast. M i l e s was master s h i p w r i g h t for the project. It w o u l d have t a k e n a lot of r a i n to dampen his s p i r i t s . A b a n d p l a y e d patriotic music, the N a t i o n a l G u a r d trooped the colors. C h a p l a i n L y m a n Pedersen gave a b l e s s i n g . T h e n Reggie W a r d o f the Q u i n a u l t I n d i a n N a t i o n , a probable descendant of the local i n h a b i t a n t s w h e n the o r i g i n a l Lady Washington m a d e h e r l a n d f a l l , shook a b e a u t i f u l l y carved r a t tle a n d chanted the Q u i n a u l t blessing used w h e n they l a u n c h e d their canoes. M i l e s presented a certificate to the housemover who h a d spent m u c h of the previous week m o v i n g the s h i p from the b u i l d i n g t h a t protected her w h i l e she was a - b u i l d i n g to the new seaport ways. The size of the certificate, as b i g as a r e s t a u r a n t tabletop, was a good i n d i c a tion of h o w nervous the b u i l d e r s were when the movers took over.
F i n a l l y the moment a r r i v e d . Washington's F i r s t L a d y , M r s . J e a n G a r d n e r , broke a bottle of W a s h i n g t o n wine over the stem, the t u g stationed astern gave a p u l l , a n d four cannon a n d ten percussion-cap rifles fired a salute as the Lady bobbed free, afloat for the first time. A n d the r a i n stopped.
—Photos a n d story by C h a s . D o w d
2
Joe R i c h a r d s The M a r i n e M u s e u m of Dunedin, Florida 238 pages - $12.95 from the m u s e u m S a i l i n g stories have been part of our l i t e r a t u r e for a l o n g time. There are a few classics l i k e the works of C o n r a d a n d M e l v i l l e a n d lots o f lesser l i t e r a r y l a n d m a r k s , some valuable for t e l l i n g it l i k e it was in the days before jets a n d TV travelogues, w h e n we only k n e w of d i s t a n t shores from the w r i t i n g s of those who reached them by s a i l . A l l the s a i l i n g stories, whether they belong in the temple of timeless prose or not, are good entertainment, espec i a l l y when it's cold, dark, a n d blowing l i k e s t i n k outside, a n d the reader is in a comfortable c h a i r , snuggled up to the c r a c k l i n g fireplace. That's how I read Shackelton's Endurance, a n d I s t i l l shiver w h e n I t h i n k of h i s passage in A n t a r c t i c waters i n a n open boat. Readi n g t h i s stuff gives us the vicarious t h r i l l of voyages most of us w i l l probably never take. Princess—New York is one of those. Joe R i c h a r d s tells the tale of so m a n y of us who fell in love w i t h a classic wooden vessel. T h e rot was discovered soon enough, b u t t r u e love overcomes a l l obstacles. O t h e r w i s e a book l i k e Princess wouldn't be w r i t t e n . It's the story of the peaks a n d valleys of restoration begun by a total novice, a n d then the g r a n d cruise w h i c h began before the s k i p p e r r e a l i z e d i t . I've h e a r d those stories, too. I've done it m y s e l f — I ' l l j u s t cruise for a day or two ' t i l my charts r u n out a n d then t u r n back. Joe R i c h a r d s was an a r t i s t a n d a m e r c h a n t seaman; so h i s tale h a s the technical details a l l sailors a n d would-be sailors t h i r s t for b u t p r e s e n t e d i n the d e l i g h t f u l , e x ¬ huberant wonder of colors slapped on a fresh canvas. There are pen-and-ink sketches by the author. Joe took P r i n c e s s from N e w Y o r k to F l o r i d a i n 1940-41. H e came back after the w a r a n d sailed h e r home. Somehow, Princess found h e r way back to F l o r i d a , where she is exhibited at the M a r i n e M u s e u m o f D u n e d i n . T h e book, o r i g i n a l l y p r i n t e d in 1956, has been out of p r i n t for 15 years. The m u s e u m , now the f i n a l home port of Princess, has r e p r i n t e d t h i s story as t h e i r f i r s t p u b l i cation effort. A n y o n e who has cruised or dreamed of c r u i s i n g , or l i k e s t r a d i t i o n a l boats, or wonders w h a t the coast from N e w Y o r k t o F l o r i d a sounded a n d smelled l i k e i n the m o m e n t before W o r l d W a r II should r e a d this book. — D i c k Wagner
ANOTHER FINE BOOK FROM MYSTIC SEAPORT, THIS TIME FOR THE POWERBOAT FANS In 1979, the M y s t i c S e a p o r t M u s e u m p u b l i s h e d a wonderful book c a l l e d Watercraft, c a t a l o g i n g t h e Seaport's collection of boats from the work p u n t to the w h a l e s h i p Charles W. Morgan. A l t h o u g h elegantly produced, it was the incredible b r e a d t h of the collection t h a t kept e n t h u s i a s t s up late at n i g h t , d r e a m i n g i n t o the fire. N o w the Seaport has used another of their collections, the Rosenfeld C o l l e c t i o n , as the backbone of a n o t h e r elegant book. The R o s e n f e l d s — M o r r i s , Stanley, David, and William—were yacht a n d r a c i n g boat photographers. In Speedboat, D . W . Fostle uses their pictures t o i l l u s t r a t e h i s excellently w r i t t e n history of powerboat r a c i n g . E n t h u s i a s t s have another reason to stare into the fire. T h i s is a p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t e r e s t i n g book for P u g e t S o u n d dwellers. F o r most of us, big-time powerboat r a c i n g began on L a k e W a s h i n g t o n w h e n the Slo-Moes brought the G o l d C u p from D e t r o i t . As far as m a n y of us were concerned, h i s t o r y was b e g i n n i n g here, where we could h e a r it r o a r . Nobody ever s a i d Seattleites aren't p r o v i n c i a l .
The other racers B y contrast, Speedboat spends l i t t l e space on the "thunderboats." Instead, w e r e a d about pacesetters l i k e the Standard. In 1903, Standard was b u i l t to demonstrate a gasoline engine of the same name. In those days, the " s t r e a m -
l i n e " theory of displacement h u l l s s a i d the way to a fast boat was a long waterl i n e , a s h a r p prow, and a n a r r o w beam fitted a r o u n d the biggest engine she could float. The S t a n d a r d was a six cylinder brute of a type not b u i l t today. E a c h cylinder h a d a 10" stroke in a 3" bore, a swept volume of 5,000 cubic inches. Fostle states t h a t the engine's total displacement was equivalent to that of a fleet of 33 compact sedans. Standard's h u l l was as a t y p i c a l as her engine. M a d e of 3/16" mahogany, its 60-foot l e n g t h was supported by a pair of l o n g i t u d i n a l steel girders t h a t could be adjusted, c a u s i n g changes in h u l l shape. L i k e a l l powerboats o f her e r a , she was a r i c h man's t o y — b e a u t i fully detailed w i t h a g l e a m i n g v a r n i s h f i n i s h . Fostle writes v i v i d l y about her l u r k i n g a r o u n d a bend in the H u d s o n , w a i t i n g i n a m b u s h for the crack s t e a m e r s h e r o w n e r loved " r u n n i n g circles around." A l l this expense a n d a l l t h i s special engineering won Standard the 1904 G o l d C u p — a t about 20 m p h .
Racing in its context If Fostle h a d w r i t t e n only r a c i n g h i s tory, boats l i k e Standard w o u l d have made h i s effort w o r t h w h i l e . If he h a d j u s t brought stories scattered about in y a c h t i n g magazines a n d out-of-print books together in a single volume, it w o u l d have been a Good T h i n g . To our delight, he h a s p u t h i s history into a l a r g e r social a n d t e c h n i c a l context.
3
T e c h n i c a l advances came so quickly d u r i n g the 20's a n d 30's t h a t some designs were discarded after a season. Other well developed and highly evolved craft were so successful that even though they were yesterday's idea they could give fits to the newer, supposedly superior boats. The book gives a true perspective on the chaotic scene. Fostle also w r i t e s about the impetus P r o h i b i t i o n gave to high-speed m a r i n e design. There's B i l l M c C o y , master r u m r u n n e r , who c l a i m e d to have sold 175,000 cases of w h i s k e y d u r i n g his four-year career. There's a photo of h i m w i t h G e r t r u d e L i t h y , sales agent for H a i g a n d M c T a v i s h scotch, aboard t o supervise the sale of 1,000 cases herself. The "express f i s h e r m e n " designed to b r i n g the r u m ashore came from the d r a w i n g boards o f T r u m p y , H a n d , and other quite respectable builders. (Remember, in our neck of the woods, B i l l B o e i n g was m a k i n g "Sea Sleds," ostensibly on speculation for the Coast G u a r d , but s e l l i n g t h e m to the r u m m i e s w h e n the C o a s t G u a r d d i d n ' t b u y . N o r m B l a n c h a r d once t o l d a C W B m e e t i n g about h i s father b u i l d i n g a boat for the Coasties on one set of ways a n d for the smugglers on the other.) WW II is there too, in the form of the P T boats. U n t i l w e encountered them in t h e i r h i s t o r i c a l context, we'd overlooked their place in the development of sport powerboating. — C h a s . Dowd
I THE COLLECTION GROWS: A CASE STUDY IN CORPORATE PLANNING M o s t o f C W B ' s operations r e s u l t from a p l a n n i n g sequence t h a t begins w i t h a b r i g h t (or dim) idea, followed by d i s c u s s i o n s (or s h o u t i n g m a t c h e s ) about a l l aspects of the proposal, from what's in it for me to how does it affect the global economy a n d environment. In other words, we follow the textbook example of corporate p l a n n i n g . M o s t l y . T h e n there are the collections we want to have. No matter how w e l l we prepare our campaigns, we s t i l l have not obtained a s m a l l , old-growth forest or a classic J a g u a r staff car. However, phone calls a n d drop-in visitors have often resulted in drop-dead donations we h a d been l o n g w i s h i n g for. F o r example, a phone c a l l from C W B members Rob a n d Peggy Paterson resulted i n our L i g h t n i n g . T h e 19-foot "V"-bottom sloop was designed by O l i n Stephens in 1938. It represents one of the best of the dozens of one-design sailboats developed from the late 20's to late 30's. It was the golden age of s a i l i n g dinghies, a n d O l i n Stephens was the prince of the designers. O u r boat came from one of the premier y a r d s of that period—Gerber o f G a r d e n C i t y , N e w Y o r k . H o w it came here was as off the w a l l as the phone c a l l from the P a t e r sons. A b o u t 1964, a h u r r i c a n e h i t L o n g I s l a n d S o u n d , w h e r e o u r boat was moored. After the storm the lee beaches of the S o u n d were l i t t e r e d w i t h the car-
casses of boats blown ashore, i n c l u d i n g ours. B r u c e S m i t h , a G i g H a r b o r boat builder, was v i s i t i n g the area then and went to look at the d i s m a l mess. He spotted this L i g h t n i n g b u r i e d i n the sand, m a s t broken, a n d contacted the owner who offered it to Bruce if he could dig it out. Bruce d i d , a n d t r u c k e d the boat back to G i g H a r b o r where he repaired i t , got m a r r i e d , a n d took a two-month c r u i s i n g honeymoon in 1965. A b o u t 1983 the Patersons, just a r r i v e d i n G i g H a r b o r from the N o r t h east, began looking for a day sailer, in wood, of course. O u r L i g h t n i n g was spotted a n d Bruce was happy to sell it because he a n d h i s wife were now b u i l d i n g a c r u i s e r for a Pacific Ocean c i r c u m navigation.
L i g h t n i n g to the Center. W h e n he dropped Tringa off, he let it be k n o w n he would put in some upkeep time on this boat. Seems he learned to sail on a Lightning. A n o t h e r recent "today must be C h r i s t m a s " d o n a t i o n came f r o m a breeze-in v i s i t from K o d i a k , A l a s k a c r a b f i s h e r m a n T o n y Jones. After he gave the C e n t e r a ten m i n u t e quickstep tour, he offered us h i s "almost ready to s a i l " B r i s t o l B a y gillnetter. T h i s type of boat, the stock s a i l i n g gillnetter in the N o r t h w e s t from 1869 to 1952, was adopted as our logo. It's been our shame t h a t the one example we have has been displayed on a cradle because we lacked the funds to restore her to s a i l i n g condition.
The P a t e r s o n k i d s grew, as k i d s u s u a l l y do, a n d it seemed the time h a d come for the Patersons to have a bigger vessel, w i t h a cabin a n d other decadent stuff. They found a 26-foot J o h n A t k i n A m e r i c a J r . Schooner, w h i c h some o f y o u m a y h a v e seen c r u i s i n g P u g e t S o u n d or at our l a s t Wooden Boat F e s tival.
T e n years ago, Tony took some time off from f i s h i n g a n d went to B r i s t o l B a y where he shopped among the dozens of cannery boathouses along the seven r i v e r s f l o w i n g i n t o the B a y . Tony bought 10 g i l l n e t t e r s — t h e ones he felt were the best s a i l i n g models in the best shape. H e brought t h e m t o K o d i a k , where he sold nine to local folks and kept the best one for himself, just for fun on off days. B u s i n e s s has been more on t h a n off for T o n y in recent years, and h i s accountant advised h i m to t h i n k of charitable contributions in 1988, the better to bottom-line h i s income tax report.
So the l i t t l e L i g h t n i n g t h a t now sat forlorn on h e r t r a i l e r was offered to us. The Patersons appropriately named h e r after a sandpiper—Tringa, t h e genus name of the G r e a t e r Yellowlegs. Super volunteer, D e n n i s B r o d e r s o n , who in r e a l life is chief engineer of the f i r e b o a t Sealth, o f f e r e d to t o w t h e
F o l l o w i n g Tony's offer were frantic — phone calls to f i n d an affordable way for C W B to get the 29' vessel from K o d i a k , about 2,000 m i l e s — i n the w i n t e r . More astounding l u c k . R i c k H e n d o n , p u b l i s h er of Marine Digest a n d C W B Trustee, put u s i n contact w i t h S e a - L a n d Service, Inc., who h a s been our favorite K o d i a k - P u g e t S o u n d barge service ever since they volunteered to ship our s a i l i n g gillnetter from there to here. SeaL a n d is based in Tacoma; so after our boat a r r i v e d , they h a u l e d it up to base C W B w i t h one o f t h e i r container truck t r a i l e r s . (It's S e a - L a n d Service. G e t it?) We are a i m i n g to have both the L i g h t n i n g a n d the gillnetter s a i l i n g o n L a k e U n i o n this y e a r . See w h a t I m e a n about happy surprises? M a y b e we should s k i p the p l a n n i n g sessions a n d just prop our feet on the desk, guzzle beer, a n d read boat magazines u n t i l the phone rings again.
— D i c k Wagner 4
BOATBUILDING WORKSHOP
RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS
CATBOAT RENDEZVOUS
On E a s t e r S u n d a y , a 10-foot s t u dent-built l a p s t r a k e boat was l a u n c h e d a t C W B . E i g h t students stepped into the boatshop on M a r c h 18 a n d faced a pile of wood. T h e i r i n s t r u c t o r , S i m o n W a t t s , g u i d e d t h e m t h r o u g h the mysteries of lapstrake construction w i t h w i t , wisdom, a n d a relentless pace. The stated object of the workshop was to l e a r n l a p s t r a k e construction. B u t more occurred. E i g h t students, a l l strangers, l e a r n e d to work together as a t e a m . M i s t a k e s were made (Tom L a m b e r t c a l l e d them "real zingers") a n d solutions were found, f o l l o w i n g Simon's advice, w h i c h includes W a t t s ' F i r s t L a w o f B o a t b u i l d i n g : " A problem deferred is a problem h a l f solved."
W i t h h a r d w o r k , a t i g h t budget, luck, a n d a lot of good friends, C W B is keeping the beacon of our s m a l l craft heritage a l i g h t . Recent g r a n t s are: The O a k m e a d F o u n d a t i o n $5,000; P E M C O F o u n d a tion $1,000; a n d N o r t h w e s t M a r i n e Trade Association $10,000. These generous donations w i l l be used to h e l p complete Boat House, our new education center. They are most greatly appreciated.
A l l catboat sailors (actual and would-be) are i n v i t e d t o attend a n i n formal rendezvous at Prevost H a r b o r , S t u a r t I s l a n d M a r i n e p a r k , i n the U . S . S a n J u a n s , J u l y 22-23,1989. There is a registration fee of $10 C a n a d i a n ($9 U.S.). The f i r s t west coast catboat rendezvous was h e l d l a s t J u l y at Montague H a r b o u r o n G a l i a n o Island. P a t t e r n e d after catboat association meets h e l d a n n u a l l y up a n d d o w n the eastern seaboard, the p r e m i e r west coast event drew six Cape C o d style boats r a n g i n g from 18 to 28 feet in l e n g t h . Cape C o d catboats were originally used for inshore f i s h i n g d u r i n g the days o f c o m m e r c i a l s a i l . U n i q u e catboat characteristics i n c l u d e s h a l l o w draft and a single-sail r i g . The mast is stepped very far f o r w a r d , a n d the boats are t r a d i t i o n a l l y gaff-rigged. Today there are few w o r k i n g catboats left, but the type m a k e s an able s m a l l cruising boat w i t h lots of character. F o r more i n f o r m a t i o n or to indicate i n t e n t i o n to attend, please w r i t e or call G e r r y S t e n s g a a r d at 1967 Prestwick Drive, Vancouver, B . C . , Canada V 5 P 2 E 8 , telephone 604-224-4331 (work) or 604-325-1197 (home).
A s t h e week p r o g r e s s e d , b e a r d s s p r o u t e d , eyes became r e d rimmed, movements became quick a n d confident. On l a u n c h i n g day, the students were once a g a i n scrubbed, shaved, a n d b r u s h e d to d a z z l i n g degree. T h e y l o o k e d r e l i e v e d , p r o u d o f t h e i r acc o m p l i s h m e n t , a n d bonded together l i k e a F o r e i g n L e g i o n platoon who h a d j u s t weathered a battle w i t h the B e r bers. In other words, a typical C W B b o a t b u i l d i n g workshop experience. Students: H a r r y D o n o v a n , Seattle; Doug Knutson, Redmond; Tom L a m bert, O l y m p i a ; Steve N i k o l i c h , S u m n e r ; Terry Olson, Carnation; J o h n Petrich Tacoma; S t a n Teitge, Sidney, B . C . ; M i k e T u e l l , Seattle; a n d their leader, S i m o n W a t t s , S a n Francisco.
WHERE'S THAT ANCHOR? Those who remember w a l k i n g past the r u s t y w r o u g h t - i r o n anchor t h a t used to recline in a bed of c h a i n near the r a m p down to the boathouse m a y have wondered at its recent absence. W e l l , it's off to T i b u r o n , C a l i f o r n i a , after a short stop at a local s h i p y a r d for a bit of work, to provide a f i t t i n g n a u t i cal support for two plaques m e m o r i a l i z i n g the only s u r v i v i n g fragment of the work of the m a n who has been called the greatest shipbuilder of the m i d nineteenth century. T h e r e m n a n t is the deckhouse a n d social cabin of the Pacific M a i l S t e a m ship China, w h i c h was b u i l t by W i l l i a m H . Webb a t h i s s h i p y a r d i n N e w Y o r k . T h i s steam-powered paddle-wheel propelled l i n e r came out to her homeport o f S a n F r a n c i s c o v i a the S t r a i t s of M a g e l l a n in 1876 for the first of t h i r t y r o u n d t r i p s to Y o k o h a m a a n d Hong Kong. W i t h a length of 360 feet, t h i s vessel was one of the largest wooden ships in existence a n d a tribute to her b u i l d e r . W h e n the China was r e t i r e d from service the elaborate cabin was removed a n d used as a residence. N i n e t y years later local interests saved the " C h i n a C a b i n " a n d restored i t t o its o r i g i n a l condition on a site in Belvedere cove. T h e i n s t a l l a t i o n of the anchor a n d its two plaques w i l l take place there t h i s J u n e o n the C e n t e n n i a l o f the founding of the Webb Institute of N a v a l Architecture. — L a r r y Glosten (Webb'41) a n d P h i l T h i e l (Webb '43)
AHOY, SHIP MODELERS! A m a t e u r s h i p model b u i l d e r s w i l l gather i n A s t o r i a , Oregon o n S a t u r d a y , M a y 20th t o compete i n the C o l u m b i a R i v e r M a r i t i m e M u s e u m ' s Sixteenth A n n u a l Ship Model Competition. A l l entries w i l l be p u b l i c l y exhibited from 12:30 to 4:00 p . m . t h a t day in the M u s e u m a t 1792 M a r i n e D r i v e . The contest is h e l d as part of the M u s e u m ' s observance of A s t o r i a ' s M a r i t i m e Week ( M a y 20-27), a n a n n u a l celebration that i s b u i l t a r o u n d N a t i o n a l M a r i t i m e D a y on the 22nd (the a n n i v e r s a r y of the Savannah's departure in 1819 on the first t r a n s a t l a n t i c voyage by a steamship). The model competition is open to a l l a m a t e u r e n t r a n t s a n d models of a l l sorts of watercraft. T h e e n t r y deadline is 10:30 a.m. on M a y 20th. A t r o p h y w i l l be a w a r d e d for the best model in the show, a n d certificates a n d r i b b o n s w i l l be given in both a d u l t a n d j u n i o r classes for six categories of models. F o r r u l e s a n d f u r t h e r information, w r i t e to the C u r a t o r of the C o l u m b i a R i v e r M a r i t i m e M u s e u m , 1792 M a r i n e D r i v e , A s t o r i a , OR 97103, or call 503325-2323.
5
VANCOUVER MARITIME MUSEUM HOSTS KRONAN
ROWING ON THE COLUMBIA
The explosion a n d s i n k i n g of the S w e d i s h w a r s h i p Kronan in 1676 cost over 800 m e n t h e i r lives a n d was one of t h e m o s t d i s a s t r o u s e v e n t s i n the m a r i t i m e history of the B a l t i c . Since the wreck was located in 1981, however, the u n l u c k y ship has provided modern Sweden w i t h a wealth of treasure a n d i n f o r m a t i o n .
May 27th -12:00 Noon Start - Lower Columbia Spring Row-In
V i s i t o r s to the V a n c o u v e r M a r i t i m e M u s e u m have a chance to v i e w some of that treasure t h r o u g h the s u m m e r as the m u s e u m hosts Kronan 1676: Crown
of the Realm.
T h e Kronan was the flagship a n d the most h e a v i l y a r m e d vessel of the S w e d i s h fleet w h e n she sank off the i s l a n d of O l a n d near the B a l t i c coast of Sweden. T h e Swedes h a d set off to recapture the i s l a n d of G o t l a n d from the D a n e s when the big s h i p t u r n e d too q u i c k l y in the heavy seas, heeled over, a n d exploded as i t s gunpowder caught fire. O v e r 300 y e a r s l a t e r , m a r i n e a r chaeologists have recovered an a m a z i n g w e a l t h of m a t e r i a l from the wreck, w h i c h l i e s 26 meters below the ocean's surface. The ship and the thousands of articles t h a t have been recovered from it offer a r a r e glimpse into the w o r l d of 17th century S c a n d i n a v i a . T h e s h i p was 197 feet l o n g a n d 43 feet wide a n d h a d a 126-piece a r m a ment. Over twenty bronze cannons have been recovered, a n d two of these are i n c l u d e d i n the e x h i b i t i o n . M a n y o f
the wood a n d leather items in the display have been freeze-dried in order to conserve t h e m . T h e wooden s c u l p t u r e s from the Kronan a r e exceptionally wellpreserved because the low salt content of the B a l t i c sea discourages the m a r i n e w o r m that destroys ship timbers i n saltier oceans. O t h e r wooden items i n clude a cabinet, w i t h its contents of personal effects a n d navigational i n struments still intact and a broken chest, c a r r y i n g Sweden's largest f i n d of gold coins. The personal items of the sailors a n d officers range from h a n d - h e l d weapons a n d b i t s of c l o t h i n g to pipes, e a r t h e n ware p i t c h e r s , a n d m u s i c a l i n s t r u m e n t s . T h e y point out the great d i s p a r i t y between r i c h a n d poor on a vessel that carried everyone from m i l lionaires to m e n so poor they h a d a l most no clothing. Kronan 1676 examines navigation a n d s h i p b u i l d i n g d u r i n g the height of the Swedish empire a n d looks at the n a v a l battle d u r i n g w h i c h the Kronan sank. It also includes u n d e r w a t e r photographs, a video of the challenging recovery operation, a n d a m i n i a t u r e model of the wreck as it lay for over 300 years. Vancouver M a r i t i m e M u s e u m hours are 10am - 5pm d a i l y , w i t h extended hours a n d free a d m i s s i o n Wednesday evenings from 5 - 9 p m .
6
August 12th - 11:00 Start - Lower Columbia Regatta Row-In B o t h r o w - i n s w i l l feature a h u m a n powered (paddlers included) race starti n g at the time g i v e n . T h e s p r i n g r o w - i n coincides w i t h N a tional M a r i t i m e Week. O t h e r activities d u r i n g the week w i l l include a ship model competition, special e n t e r t a i n ment, a n d demonstrations of m a r i t i m e skills. The A u g u s t r o w - i n w i l l be part of Astoria's 96th A n n u a l Regatta Festival. F o r more i n f o r m a t i o n contact: Bruce Weilepp, Columbia River M a r i t i m e M u s e u m , 1792 M a r i n e D r . , A s t o r i a , O R 97103
CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 13 & 14 (Saturday and Sunday) P E D A L POWER P O T L A T C H 10 a.m. 'til 5 p.m. each day, CWB Site A g a t h e r i n g of a l t e r n a t i v e h u m a n powered b o a t s — i n g e n i o u s , c r e a t i v e , a n d m a n y unbelievably fast. T h i s year's special a d d i t i o n — a pedal powered s u b m a r i n e ! Seeing is believi n g . Please j o i n us. May 19 (Friday) CWB MONTHLY MEETING 8 p.m., CWB Boat House The P u r e S o u n d Society is an organization dedicated to m a r i t i m e h i s tory, seamanship a n d m a r i n e ecology. B r a d Wetmore, one of the founders, w i l l give a slide t a l k on t h e i r h i s t o r y , programs, a n d especially t h e i r b e a u t i ful historic replicas—the 1790's V a n couver E x p e d i t i o n gig a n d the 1840's W i l k e s E x p e d i t i o n gig. May 20, 21 T H E P U G E T SOUND CELEBRATION 10 a.m. 'til 4 p.m. each day, CWB Boat House and Schooner WAWONA A n exhibition a n d demonstrations honoring m a r i t i m e folklife of the Puget S o u n d R e g i o n , presented by the I n stitute of the N o r t h A m e r i c a n West. June 16 (Friday) CWB MONTHLY MEETING 8 p.m., CWB Boat House Dan Hinckley, C W B Board President, took a recent t r i p to S w i t z e r l a n d a n d w i l l give a slide talk on the wooden boats of L a k e L e m a n . The w o r k i n g fleet o f L a k e L e m a n i s a m a z i n g l y diverse a n d includes steamships a n d a n A r a b dhow. July 7, 8, and 9 THIRTEENTH ANNUAL LAKE UNION WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL 10 a.m. 'til 6 p.m. each day, CWB and adjoining sites O u r a n n u a l w o o d e n b o a t extravaganza at South L a k e U n i o n — classic watercraft, boat races, s k i l l s demonstrations, videos, m u s i c , food— celebrates i t s t h i r t e e n t h year! F u n d Raising Auction, Sunday, J u l y 9th.
MARINE SKILLS WORKSHOPS
CLASSIFIED SECTION
May 6 thru May 13, Launch May 14 L A P S T R A K E CONSTRUCTION 8:30 a.m. 'til 5: 00 p.m., CWB Boat Shop Fee: $360/$400 Instructor: A l a n D e l Rey T h e c l a s s w i l l b u i l d a 10-foot Swampscott dory-skiff. The instructor designed this boat as a yacht tender a n d has b u i l t several. W o o d w o r k i n g s k i l l s are r e q u i r e d . M a x i m u m of seven students. May 15 - May 31, Launch June 1 STRIP BUILT CANOE 6:30 'til 9:00 p.m., Monday and Wednesday evenings: May 15,17,22,24,29,31 Fee: $150/$175 Instructor: Ivor T h o m a s Students w i l l b u i l d a 16-foot s t r i p b u i l t canoe in six evenings. C l a s s is led by an e x p e r i e n c e d boat designer/builder. M i n i m a l woodworking s k i l l s r e q u i r e d . M a x i m u m o f five s t u dents. June 10 • July 2 PLANK-ON-FRAME FLATIRON SKIFF 10:00 a.m. 'til 6:00 p.m. each day, Saturdays and Sundays, June 10,11,17,18,24,25, July 1 & 2 Fee: $320/$360 Instructor: R i c h K o l i n A classic Pete C u l l e r - s t y l e 10-foot lapstrake flat-bottom skiff w i l l be b u i l t i n four weekends. R i c h K o l i n i s a n exp e r i e n c e d b o a t b u i l d e r . B a s i c woodw o r k i n g s k i l l s are r e q u i r e d . M a x i m u m of seven students. October 13,14, 15,16 T H E SALISH P E O P L E AND THEIR SKILLS Seminar/Cruise aboard the schooner CRUSADER Steve a n d Dorothy P h i l i p p w i l l lead you i n t o the lifestyle of Puget Sound's first residents. Y o u w i l l s a i l on the 1926 65-foot schooner C R U S A D E R , m a k e nettle l i n e s , tule m a t , v i s i t the Su¬ q u a m i s h M u s e u m , l e a r n canoeing techniques. M e a l s a n d workshop m a t e r i a l s included in fee. $300 per person w i t h a m a x i m u m of six p a r t i c i p a n t s . Cospon¬ s o r e d b y C W B a n d Resource Institute. C o n t a c t C W B for i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o reserve y o u r place.
7
C a r o l i n a D o r y / S k i f f 19' LOW COST BOATS: "YOU CAN B U I L D . " F R E E P L A N "Gloucester G u l l " R o w i n g D o r y : Brochure/Photos (99) Boat P l a n s : F i s h i n g / S u r f i n g / S a i l ing/Power Dories: C a r o l i n a & Oregon Dory/Skiffs: Prams/Skiffs and Schooners: V - B o t t o m W o r k Boats. C l a s sic R u n a b o u t s / M o t o r C r u i s e r s . W r i t e : C a p t a i n J i m O r r e l l , Box 720, G a l v e s ton, T X 77553-0720. ( A S K F O R F R E E PLAN.)
F O R S A L E : L i g h t n i n g sailboat, b u i l t '72, good condition except mast needs work or replace. C e d a r p l a n k e d , professionally glassed. Trailer i n cluded. A s k i n g $1200. J i m W a i n w r i g h t , 857-5488 ( G i g H a r b o r ) . 3 8 ' A - S C O W . Classic 1963 J o h n s o n double-planked cedar h u l l . H a r k e n r i g g i n g . O w n fastest production monohull sailboat for only $6500; includes m a i n , jibs, s p i n n a k e r s , t r a i l e r . F o r pictures a n d complete i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l 608257-6599 or write J e f f Kirchhoff, 23 S. B a s s e t t S t . , M a d i s o n , W I 53703. F O R S A L E : L u g rigged Bristol B o a t . B u i l t 1941, bottom refastened 1986, no engine but log a n d shaft in place. H u l l sound. $3,000. C a l l 206-4268875 o r -7221, o r w r i t e J . E r i c k s o n , E . H a r t s t e n e Pointe, S h e l t o n , W A 98584.
8