New Park Design May Shirk Heritage Promise; Move Wawona to HSF Now!

A new artist’s rendering of the final design for South Lake Union Park has sparked an urgent appeal for turnout to a Seattle Parks Department meeting. In a flyer announcing a Nov. 16 “final” public meeting on the design of South Lake Union Park, a rendering shows only one large and one small vessel at SLUP’s Historic Ships Wharf. This excludes some or all of the following vessels from the design plan: Wawona, Arthur Foss, Duwamish, Virginia V, and Swiftsure. A previous “adopted schematic plan” posted on the Parks Department's SLUP web page shows four large ships, plus a large vessel with a bowsprit, presumably Wawona, on the east side of the Naval Reserve Building.

The apparent deletion of most large vessels from the latest design worries Wayne Palsson, a leader among the dozen or so volunteers working on Wawona’s restoration. “This is the time to muster all hands,” he wrote in a October 29 e-mail to supporters. “We need to flood the meeting with maritime heritage supporters to find out how maritime heritage fits in the final park design.”

“If it doesn't,” he said, “we need to tell them the plan does not mesh with the City Council's ordinance approving the park plan centered around a maritime heritage center. We need to tell them that the Parks Board only approved a vague schematic of the park without adequate public involvement.”

“This is the time to get the City Council on board and behind their own ordinance,” he added. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Naval Reserve Building.

The Parks Department has consistently expressed hostility toward large ships currently berthed at South Lake Union Park. Ken Bounds and his staff have made it clear that Wawona is not "in acceptable display condition," as he said to me in an e-mail last summer. However, Bounds has never defined “acceptable display condition,” nor has he revealed how he would judge whether Wawona has met this standard. Furthermore, no process has been proposed to create the standard.

What do we want? Move Wawona to the Historic Ships Wharf now!

Don’t wait to speak your mind! Contact the City Council, the Parks Board, Ken Bounds, the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and express your views. (The links will take you to pages with contact information.) If you don’t speak, you won’t be heard!

Contact: Wayne Palsson, 206-412-4736, E-mail

Metro Dock Advocacy: Now's the Time to Let Loose Your Passion!

What else do we want? Metro Dock! And now's the time to tell the King County Council that the Metro Dock at North Lake Union should be reserved for maritime history activities. The staff at 4Culture has put together an information sheet and some sample letters to help you compose your thoughts. You can download the information sheet here and the sample letters here. Don't delay! Write today!

Contact: Metro's North Lake Union website

KC Councilmember Invited to Join Task Force; Panel To Be Named This Month

I met with King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson on October 15. His district includes Queen Anne, Ballard, Wallingford, and North Lake Union. He told me he had been invited to participate in 4Culture's maritime heritage task force, which is starting to take shape. Ferguson had made no decision as of our meeting, but he seemed interested. I argued that the maritime heritage issue affects the entire county and the whole Puget Sound region. I said participation gives him an opportunity to affect heritage issues far down the road and leave a lasting legacy as a public servant. He made no commitment on this issue either, arguing that he may have to run for office next year, if the King County charter amendments on the November 2 ballot pass. He also has to decide whether participating is worth his time. If you live in his district, write to him and tell him that he can have no higher priority than leaving a legacy that his children and grandchildren will remember him by. (See contact info below.)

I also argued for the maritime heritage use of the "waterfront parcel," also called the "Metro Dock," at North Lake Union. The property is in Ferguson's district. You'll recall that a Wallingford neighborhood group recommended that the property retain its current use, i.e., historic ship maintenance. The schooner Zodiac is currently berthed there. However, Metro staff more or less ignored the recommendations, and punted, suggesting more study. Ferguson invited me to talk after I wrote him a letter complaining about the staff's attitude toward a committee they appointed to make recommendations. Ferguson listened politely, but made no commitments.

By the way, the October 18 deadline for maritime heritage groups to submit names for one of the 15 slots on the task force went by with a few groups either forgetting or choosing not to submit a nomination. 4Culture says the panel will be announced late this month.

Contact: Bob Ferguson, King County Council, (206) 296-1002, E-mail

Maritime Heritage Elbows Its Way Into SLUPfest, Gets the Word Out

Representatives of most of the South Lake Union Park maritime heritage groups organized a joint booth at the October 19 South Lake Union Neighborhood Celebration (We prefer the name "SLUPfest") in the Naval Reserve Building. The Seattle Parks Foundation and Vulcan, Inc. (one of Paul Allen's companies and the major property player in South Lake Union) were the major sponsors, along with other businesses with an interest in the neighborhood. Several hundred people cruised booths, sampled neighborhood cooking, and schmoozed with city council members and Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis. (Hizzoner Nickels was invited, but bowed out with what Ceis called the "flu.")

In a related item, a producer for the Seattle Channel interviewed me for a segment on South Lake Union Park. I met with him at the boat, along with Joe Shickich and Shannon Fitzgerald. I argued Wawona's case for berthing at the Historic Ships Wharf, which still has no permanent tenants and no deals on the horizon. Thanks to Joe and Shannon for their invaluable support.

Contacts: Karen Daubert, Seattle Parks Foundation, 206-332-9900, E-mail; Paul Allen, Vulcan, Inc., 206-342-2000, E-mail.

Volunteers Put on Wawona's Cover in Preparation for Winter Rains

Volunteers worked October 16 and October 23 to put up Wawona's winter cover, a thick plastic sheet over a wood frame that keeps the winter rain off the Big Ship. Rain is Wawona's deadliest enemy. The water literally dissolves the exposed wood and encourages the growth of wood-eating fungus. Putting on and taking off the winter cover is one of the most important Wawona activities of the year. Work on the cover will continue over the next few weeks.

Here are some photos of the October 16 activity:

o Putting up one of the frames to support the white plastic cover

o Pumping excess rainwater from a low spot in the plastic

o A view of the work on the main cabin from the stern

o Enjoy lunch on a chilly October day in the warm wood shop

Contact: Alice Winship, 206-448-0707, E-mail

Wawona Survey Results: Cut Up the Old Girl, or Maybe Not

I created a brief survey last month in response to continuing suggestions that Wawona be cut up and the pieces salvaged for some kind of display. (Writing about this so close to Halloween gives me the chills.) Here are the results:

o Cut Her Up: Three votes

o Leave Her Be: Two votes

o Undecided: One vote

I also had a write-in vote for sinking her somewhere in the Sound as a reef for skin divers.

Given the continuing disagreement over her future, and the continuing lack of any thoughtful proposal for disposing of her other than restoration (Remember my request for proposals in September? None were submitted.), I must conclude that talk about breaking up Wawona is little more than gossip, and as such, can't be taken seriously. So let's forget the idea, unless you want to step forward and take public responsibility for suggesting such things.

NWS: Work on Twilight Rigging Proceeds; Yakutat Acquisition Okayed

Twilight: Northwest Seaport volunteer Randy Flodquist is moving forward with fulfilling the requirements of a $4,000 4Culture grant for the salmon troller Twilight. This 36-foot wooden vessel was built by Ballard shipwright H.C. Hansen. Rescued from neglect in 2000 by Northwest Seaport, volunteers restored her to floating condition, and she is now tied up next to Arthur Foss. Flodquist is working on installing the final rigging and taking oral histories of her owners. Twilight will eventually be restored as a 1930s-era fishing boat with operational rigging and fishing equipment.

Yakutat: The Northwest Seaport Board approved plans to acquire the halibut schooner Yakutat, the organization's fifth vessel. NWS has been offered a grant of $55,000 spread over two years to purchase, repair, renovate, and operate it. Alaska Ocean Seafood of Anacortes has offered the money. AOS has also offered an annual endowment of $4,500 if NWS demonstrates progress and success. Yakutat is currently owned by a Lopez Island not-for-profit. The 1913 wooden vessel is currently in drydock at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes. DCI is doing some needed repairs for free. Deer Harbor Marina on Orcas Island in the San Juans has offered moorage to Yakutat when she returns to the water, meaning it won't be based in Lake Union. Supporters hope to create environmental education programs over the winter.

Last month, I expressed my opposition to this acquisition, given NWS' extreme financial and organizational difficulties, and its uncertain future at SLUP. However, I've said my peace, and I wish NWS and Craig Webster, the sponsoring board member, the best of luck with this project. I hope to be proved wrong.

Contacts: Randy Flodquist (Twilight), E-mail; Craig Webster (Yakutat), E-mail.

Maritime Writers Raise Money, Awareness for Schooner Wawona

About two dozen people, including six local maritime writers, gathered at the Center for Wooden Boats' boathouse on October 14 to raise money for the restoration of the schooner Wawona. I read from my Wawona book manuscript, and others read from various published and unpublished works. It was an evening of good fellowship and wonderful storytelling. We munched on delicious donated desserts from Louisa's Cafe & Bakery, and many signed the petition calling on the Seattle Parks Department to let Wawona stay at South Lake Union Park. Look for more events for Wawona and all of Seattle's maritime heritage in the near future.

Contact: Joe Follansbee, 206-932-7578, E-mail.

Kalakala Back in the News; I Get An Assignment and Pictures

No matter what you think about her, the Kalakala story is compelling. She's the ship that refuses to go away. And she gets noticed. Last month, a boating magazine called Sea asked me to write a story about her. The story is scheduled to appear in the January issue. I also took some photos of her at her berth on the Hylebos Waterway in Tacoma. Click here to see one of the photos.

Contact: Joe Follansbee, 206-932-7578, E-mail.

Shameless Self Promotion

I've been snagged by a group as a board member. The Association of King County Historical Organizations has recruited me to serve a one-year term on its board. AKCHO is an umbrella organization for the numerous King County history groups, ranging from the Museum of History & Industry down to small neighborhood groups. I'm looking forward to participating.

Contact: Karen Klett, AKCHO Executive Director, E-mail.

Maritime Heritage Calendar

Regular Events

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

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

o Puget Sound Ship Modelers monthly meeting, every third Thursday, Discovery Modelers Education Center, Naval Reserve Building, South Lake Union Park, 7 p.m. Info

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

o Monthly Chantey Sing, every second Friday, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., aboard Wawona, FREE (donation requested). Info

Selected Special Events

o Honor, Courage, Commitment: The U.S. Navy at Home and Abroad, OMDC, through Dec. 31. Info

o Sail Training and the Survival of the Square-Rigged Sailing Ship, Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society Monthly Dinner Meeting, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. Info

o Celebrate completion of the the recent work on Arthur Foss, Nov. 6, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., South Lake Union Park, FREE. Info

o Fenders (workshop), Center for Wooden Boats, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., $40 members, $50 nonmembers. Info

o South Lake Union Park Design Final Meeting, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Naval Reserve Building. Info

o The Boats and Other Fascinating Stuff of Indonesia, Center for Wooden Boats, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. Info

o Music Concert Series, William Pint and Felicia Dale, Nov. 20, 8 p.m., Center for Wooden Boats, $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.

The 1889 tug Arthur Foss needs your help for a variety of projects, including scraping/sanding in prep for painting, diesel engine work, grant writing, program development, sign making, even sewing. Contact Lois Jerden, letloisdoit@juno.com.

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. Please limit to 25 words. Don't forget contact info!

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