Lake Union Neighbors Give Thumbs Up to Maritime Heritage

The King County Council's Transporation Committee heard a group of Wallingford residents recommend that the council dedicate county property to maritime heritage activities. Metro put together the "working group" to recommend disposal options for three pieces of property on North Lake Union. One of the parcels, called the "Metro dock" or the "waterfront parcel," next to the Seattle Harbor Patrol dock, is currently used by the Schooner Zodiac. The working group recommended on August 26 that "the parcel be used as a working boat yard for the repair of historic vessels by non-profit organizations." This is a victory for all maritime heritage organizations, and the recommendation is supported by the Seattle Parks Department.

Please urge the members of the County Council's Transportation Committee (website) to support the proposal. More information about the North Lake Union recommendations are in this PDF document.

Contact: Patrick Duhon, Community Relations Planner, 206-263-3424, patrick.duhon@metrokc.gov

Still No HSW Moorage Contracts, But V-5 May Be First

It's been almost two months since Mayor Nickels dedicated the Historic Ships Wharf, but the Parks Department has yet to sign berthing agreements for any of the large historic vessels in Lake Union. However, Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on August 28 that he is in talks with the Virginia V Foundation about berthing the steamer at the HSW. He also told the P-I that "a number" of other ships can also meet city requirements.

This is good, if confusing, news. Not to be legalistic, but does this mean "a number" can't meet city requirements? And what city requirements is he talking about? Assuming the P-I quote is accurate, is he saying that these requirements exist? Because he told me they didn't in an e-mail on July 9, saying that the next two years would be "a learning period" regarding management of the HSW. Perhaps this has changed. If any maritime heritage supporter was consulted on these requirements, can you let me know? E-mail me at joef@speakeasy.net.

Contact: Ken Bounds, 206-684-4075, ken.bounds@seattle.gov

Pattern Set With Free HSW Moorage for Visiting Vessels

The Parks Department seems to have decided on a moorage policy for visiting vessels. Lady Washington received free moorage at the Historic Ships Wharf during her two-day visit last month in exchange for offering free public access to the vessel. I took advantage of the free walk-on for myself and and my two daughters, mostly because I was too cheap to pay the $4 for myself and $2 for each child during the times when you had to pay to board, which was most of the time. The Lady's arrangement mirrors the one Parks made with the Robert C. Seamans in July. I don't have the numbers, but I'm betting hundreds of people visited the Lady, which meant a nice bit o' change in her pocket at the end of the weekend.

It seems fair that Parks should offer free moorage to our own ships in exchange for the "public benefit" of free access. Wawona already qualifies, because Northwest Seaport allows free access to her, especially in the summer and on weekends. This also suggests that the operational budget of a vessel's owner, i.e., its ability to pay monthly rent, isn't a factor in determining whether a ship qualifies for a berth. That's a relief, since many ship owners have little cash. Furthermore, the free moorage gives local ships the opportunity to create public benefit by letting them take public relations advantage of the Wharf's visibility. It's like putting valuable works of art in your living room.

Contact: Ken Bounds, 206-684-4075, ken.bounds@seattle.gov

Proposals Solicited for Wawona Break Up Suggestions

I've heard suggestions from two different maritime heritage supporters in recent weeks that Wawona ought to be broken up, with pieces salvaged for display. That's because she can't be restored, according to some. In the spirit of "all ideas are good ideas," I'm soliciting proposals, with funding options, for this project. Please send them to joef@speakeasy.net. The deadline for submission is September 30, 2004. I will post all submissions, with authors and affiliations identified, in the October edition of this blog. A committee will be formed with all stakeholders to review the proposals. If none are received, the idea will be scrapped.

Contact: Joe Follansbee, joef@speakeasy.net

SLUP Tenants Join to Coordinate Use of Naval Reserve Building, Cultural Facilities

Representatives of the maritime heritage groups using South Lake Union Park facilities have created an "on-site working group" to coordinate use of the meeting rooms and ship restoration resources at South Lake Union Park. The groups include Northwest Seaport, Center for Wooden Boats, Discovery Modelers Education Center, and Parks officials. Group leaders will work together to coordinate scheduling and other activities to make the most efficient use of SLUP, especially the tools and other heavy equipment in the Wood Shop and other buildings.

Contact: Dave Klute, 206-447-9800

Wawona Draws Record Crowds; New Energy Sparks Changes; Pics of "Reefing" Madness

Wawona a Media Darling -- Seattle's Tall Ship Wawona was once again featured in Seattle's daily newspapers, this time in a August 28 comprehensive story in the P-I. The story covered nearly all the high points, including the tension with the Seattle Parks Department. Wawona has also been mentioned in announcements for the Nautical Film Series and the monthly Sea Chantey Sings. The public is responding enthusiastically. A record 87 people turned out for the August 13 chantey sing, and 66 people paid up to $10 per person to hear Oak, Ash and Thorn.

Harness the New Energy -- Wawona may be nearing one of her periodic peaks in media coverage. We have to find every opportunity to drive forward her message as a critically endangered part of the Seattle's cultural heritage. The energy can be leveraged into a relationship with the Parks Department more favorable to Wawona's needs, as opposed to Parks' needs. And it should prompt a deep self-examination of Northwest Seaport's operations and strategy. This has already started with the appointment of a "ship's council" made up of key Wawona volunteers, who are emerging as new leaders. But this is only a first step in a very long road.

Reefing's a Snap in These Pics -- As always, Wawona's volunteers are making things happen on board. Click the names to see the pics. Lois Jerden demonstrates how to remove old oakum and tar between deck planks ("reefing") on the main cabin roof. Dana Clay uses a heat gun and a scraper to remove paint from the ship's port bulwarks. And Julianne takes a break to explain the ship's history to some visitors in the hold. If you'd like to volunteer, contact Alice Winship, 206-448-0707, walice1@qwest.net.

Other Items -- Wawona supporters held a brainstorming session on July 14 to solicit ideas for Wawona's future. Read the results here. Also, the idea to create a new non-profit called "FOREMASTS" to manage cash donations to Wawona's restoration has been put on hold for now. Wawona volunteers are waiting to see if the new "ship's council" within Northwest Seaport will be effective.

Contact: Alice Winship, 206-448-0707, walice1@qwest.net

Arthur Foss Completes $315K Makeover; Swiftsure Grant Deal Near?; Duwamish Grant Request Turned Down

Facelift a Major Boost -- Northwest Seaport shipwrights Bill White and Dave Klute have completed a $315,000 facelift for the 1889 tug Arthur Foss, now berthed on the west wharf of South Lake Union Park. The work consisted of replacing her bulwarks, covering boards, and much of her deck planking. Bill also built a nice grating to cover the steering gear aft. The work was financed by a $150,000 federal "Save Our Treasures" grant, with the balance delivered as in-kind contributions. Kevin Shyne was project manager. “The work gives the boat a good chance of surviving,” says Northwest Seaport board member Rick Boggs. “It’ll keep it around for the next generation.” For more information on the tug, visit the Northwest Seaport website.

Deal Around the Corner? -- Well-placed sources in Northwest Seaport say a deal is near to allow use of $531,000 TEA-21 grant for the lightship Swiftsure from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The grant was awarded in the year 2000, and the delay in raising $200,000 in matching money threatened to scuttle the project. However, my sources say the matching amount was significantly reduced in recent talks. And Northwest Seaport will be allowed to use in-kind labor donated at a nice hourly rate to match the grant. Furthermore, two lightship heritage groups have expressed interest in performing the labor. Attempts to confirm this information with Northwest Seaport officials were unsuccessful as of posting.

Allen Foundation Says No to Duwamish -- A source on the board of the Puget Sound Fireboat Foundation says one of Paul Allen's foundations (I'm not sure which one) turned down PSFF's funding request for restoration work on the fireboat Duwamish. I've not been able to confirm this. If you have further information, please contact me at joef@speakeasy.net. In any case, I wish PSFF better luck with its next requests.

Contact: Puget Sound Fireboat Foundation, 425-894-5942, http://www.fireboatduwamish.org/

ODMC Opens Three New Exhibits on the Navy, Kayaking, and Cranes

The Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center on Pier 66 has opened three new exhibits. "Honor, Courage, Committment: The U.S. Navy at Home and Abroad" is a photographic mosaic of the people, jobs, culture and equipment of America's modern Navy. "Kayak Journey II" features six interactive trips to the San Juan Islands, with a special wheel chair access kiosk. And "Move It" allows you to slip in the operator's chair of a ship-to-shore crane.

Contact: OMDC, 206-374-4000, http://www.ody.org/

4Culture Soliciting Applicants for Maritime Heritage Task Force

4Culture is forging ahead on plans for an independent task force made up of maritime heritage supporters, maritime industry representatives, government people, cultural leaders, and members of the public. 4Culture is following through on the request for a task force at the maritime heritage summit on May 7th. The task force will work all the major issues, including barriers to capital fundraising. I know that 4Culture is working very hard on finding some "star power" that can give this group maximum visibility. I've even heard one very exciting name as a potential chairperson, but I can't reveal it, unfortunately. However, 4Culture has promised to give me the first heads up when that person is selected, and I'll pass it on to you within a very short time. For more information, or if you're interested in participating, contact Charles Payton, 206-296-8693, charles.payton@4culture.org, or Flo Lentz, 206-296-8682, flo.lentz@4culture.org.

Maritime Heritage Calendar

Regular Events

• Blanchard Masters Racing Series continues, CWB. Info

• Reading Tuesdays for children at OMDC, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info

• Third Friday Speaker Series, 7 p.m., CWB Boathouse. Info

• Work parties every Saturday on Wawona, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info

Selected Special Events

• M.V. Malibu, Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society Monthly Dinner Meeting, Sept. 1, 7 p.m. Info

• Virginia V at Olympia Harbor Days, Sept. 3-5. Info

• Nautical Film Series, "Mutiny on the Bounty", starring Charles Laughton and Clark Gable, Saturday, Sept. 4, 7:45 p.m., aboard Wawona, chantey singing until dark. FREE (donation requested). Info

• Visit by the Ursa Major, a North Sea trawler, Sept. 6-16, 7 p.m., CWB. Info

• Virginia V at Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, Sept. 9-12. Info

• Monthly Chantey Sing, Friday, Sept. 10, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., aboard Wawona, hosted by Steve Guthe, FREE (donation requested). Info

• Shakespeare's Birds with Michael Jeneid, FREE lecture, Monday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m., CWB. Info

• South Seas Soiree fundraiser for the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, Friday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., OMDC. Info

• Atka's Boatbuilding Revival, slideshow and lecture, Friday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., CWB, Info

• Nautical Film Series, "Captains Courageous," Saturday, Sept. 18, 7:15 p.m., aboard Wawona, chantey singing until dark. FREE (donation requested). Info

• Norm Blanchard WOOD Regatta, Sept. 24-26, CWB. Info

• Music Concert Series, J.W. Sparrow and Broadside, Saturday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m., aboard Wawona, $10 general, $7 seniors/students/maritime heritage organization members. Info

Send calendar items to Joe Follansbee.

Calls for Volunteers

Wawona needs volunteers to scrape paint, reef decks, caulk seams, greet visitors, staff the gift shop, write grants, manage cookie sales at events, and just about everything else a non-profit organization needs done. If you'd like to volunteer, contact Alice Winship, 206-448-0707, walice1@qwest.net.

Send calls for volunteers to Joe Follansbee.

Maritime Heritage Classifieds

Send job postings, items for sale, and announcements to Joe Follansbee. Postings to "Saving the Big Ship" are free for one month. Please limit to 25 words. Don't forget contact info!

Shameless Self Promotion

Here are some of my other activities.

Local maritime writer Barbara Sjoholm and I are presenting a benefit reading for Wawona Thursday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Wooden Boats. Sjoholm is author of the recently published The Pirate Queen: In Search of Grace O'Malley and Other Legendary Women of the Sea. She and I will be joined by writers Clyde W. Ford, Holly Hughes, Migael Scherer, and Joe Upton. We will all read from our maritime writing and raise money for Wawona's restoration. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students/seniors. Light refreshments will be served. Please join us.

4Culture notified me that I am a recipient of a 2004 Special Projects grant to complete my Wawona book manuscript. The contract also calls for two public presentations of my research. No, the grant won't affect my view of 4Culture or other organizations or individuals involved in maritime heritage. My mother will tell you that I've been known to bite the hand that feeds.

I'm still looking for regular work. I'd love to find a part-time job with medical benefits. E-mail me at joef@speakeasy.net with any jop tips.

I had two articles published in the September edition of Seattle magazine. See "Luna Rising" on page 62 and "As the Page Turns" on page 66.

I wrote an essay for the online magazine NW Drizzle entitled "Unemployment School."

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