Classic Vessels Make Stop in Umatilla

The sails of two 18th-century ships touched the sky at the Umatilla Marina on Thursday.

The Lady Washington, the official ship of Washington State, and the Hawaiian Chieftain are on a seven-week tour of Columbia River ports and made an overnight stop in Umatilla tonight.

The brig Lady Washington is a replica of one of the first U.S.-flagged vessels to visit the west coast; the Hawaiian Chieftain is an interpretation of a typical early 19th century coastal trader, according to the ships’ website.

Although the ships remained closed during the Umatilla dock, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the ships in Pasco over the next two weekends. Both travel from Umatilla to Pasco on Friday, June 7, where they will remain until Tuesday, June 18.

In Pasco, the ships will be open for walk-on tours, by donation, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The crews will be available on the ships during the tour.

Passengers can also purchase tickets for theme sails.

Options include:

• Two-hour “Adventure Sails,” where passengers can learn how to raise a sail and take the helm;
• Three-hour “Battle Sails”
• Two-hour sunset “Evening Sails,” similar to Adventure Sails.

Prices range from $29 to $60.

Prices and a schedule for all sails are available online. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-200-5239.

The ships are expected to dock at the Umatilla Marina again on the evening June 18. A one-way extended ship “passage” trip will be available from Umatilla to Arlington on June 19. Passengers must have a ticket and board by 8 a.m.