Tall Ships Festival Sails Into Tacoma

by Sail-World Cruising on 15 Jun 2008 In just a couple of weeks, 30 majestic tall ships will sail to the head of Puget Sound in Washington State, USA for the Tall Ships Tacoma 2008 Festival. The celebrations will take place at Tacoma’s Commencement Bay July 3 – 7. A sample of this year’s highlights include:


The Niña, the most historically accurate replica of Christopher Columbus’ 1492 ship that he sailed across the Atlantic. Climb aboard and look westward, the New World calls!

The HMS Bounty, built in 1960 for the movie 'Mutiny on the Bounty' with Marlon Brando. This ship took center stage in the famous story of Captain Bligh and his mutinous crew. The spirit of Lieutenant Fletcher

Christian awaits!

The USCG Eagle. This Coast Guard Cutter is the official training vessel for the U.S. Coast Guard and is one of only two active-duty sailing vessels in the U.S. military**. The Eagle has not been on the West Coast in more than a decade. Don’t miss your chance to see this fascinating part of our nation’s history.

Kaisei. Since her launch in 1990, this Class A vessel has sailed more than 40,000 miles with a crew of thousands from 25 countries. She is operated by the Ocean Voyages Institute to teach about maritime arts and sciences and about preserving the oceans.

And of course, Lady Washington will attend. Lady Washington is the official tall ship of the State of Washington.

The 2008 festival begins July 3 with the Parade of Sail. This amazing sight begins in nearby Vashon Island when

the ships unfurl their sails and head to Tacoma.

Thousands of smaller boats, kayaks, canoes and yachts will greet the ships and escort them into the waterway where they will dock for four days of tours and excursions.

This is the second time Tacoma has hosted this prestigious international maritime event. During the festival a two-mile stretch of the Thea Foss Waterway in downtown Tacoma will be transformed into three themed villages and filled with a variety of food, entertainment, merchandise, arts and crafts, and children’s activities. There is something for everyone!

'The excitement and outpouring of community support

for the 2005 festival made us realize that Tacoma is the perfect host for this event,' said Joe Jadwin, president of the Tacoma Tall Ships® Organization.

For more information about the Festival, go to the Festival Website

** The other is USS Constitution, 'Old Ironsides.' - Information supplied thanks to reader Vincent Fulton