America's tall ship

The 295-foot U.S. Coast Guard training ship Eagle will be among the tall ships on hand

By Matt Smith, Northwest Guardian

For those of you who woke up yesterday morning to ships of centuries past gliding through the Foss Waterway and thought you had somehow traveled back in time worry not, it’s still the 21st century. The 30 tall ships, many designed in the likeness of vessels of the 1800s, have made their way to the South Sound for Tall Ships Tacoma 2008.

The July 3 to 7 festival takes place along Dock Street in Tacoma, and features a performance by the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, a visit from three servicemen wounded in Iraq from Camp Patriot who are competing in the “Quest for the Summit” on Mount Rainier, and several former and current military ships including the United States Coast Guard Cutter Eagle.

Also called America’s Tall Ship, the 295-foot Eagle is the Coast Guard’s training ship for all future officers and is the only actively sailing square-rigger in federal service. The biggest ship in this year’s event, the Eagle is a sight to be seen according to Tall Ships Tacoma Media Relations Director Matthew Erlich.

“It’s called America’s Tall Ship and when you see it, you can understand why,” he said. “It is just a beautiful vessel.”

Though those wanting to board other ships will need a ticket, access to the Eagle and its 20 miles of rigging and more than 22,000 square feet of sail is free to all.

The impressive ship has made its first visit to the west coast in nearly 20 years, according to Erlich, and getting it to take part in Tall Ships Tacoma during our nation’s birthday took some work.

“It took a tremendous grass roots effort to get the Eagle to come to Tacoma on the Fourth of July,” Erlich said.

“A variety of ports including Los Angeles (and) the San Francisco Bay Area ... would enjoy having the Eagle in their harbor for the Fourth of July. It took a grass roots letter writing campaign, it took great support from our legislators to schedule the Coast Guard to be in Tacoma for our Tall Ships event. It’s a real success story for Tacoma and highlights the growing importance of the Tall Ships event in Tacoma that this ship would be on hand.”

Other ships of note on hand are the HMS Bounty, which was built for the 1960 movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” starring Marlon Brando, and the Lady Washington of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” fame. A museum-quality replica of the famous Christopher Columbus voyage ship, the Nina, which was in the movie “1492,” is also on display.

“When people see it, it’s kind of a surprise,” said Erlich, “because (they) imagine going across the ocean to an unknown destination in a vessel of that size.”

To board most vessels, people will need to purchase a $10 ticket, which is good for the day. A $20 premium ticket allows access to the 150-foot Kaisei, the Bounty and the Nina in addition to all other ships. The $60 Treasure Pass is good for four days and gives access to all vessels. Children 10 and under gain access to ships for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Active-duty military and dependents receive a 50 percent discount on tickets during Military Appreciation Day, which is July 7.

The three injured service members, Navy Special Operator 2nd Class Ryan Job, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Chad Jukes and Marine Corps Sgt. Jose Martinez III, are scheduled to make an appearance on the Eagle Saturday at 7 p.m. The trio will take to Mount Rainier later in the weekend.

The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra is set to perform Sunday morning at 10:30 on the Treasure Cove Village Stage at Thea Foss Park where it will play the anthem for each branch of the military while the Eagle serves as a picturesque background.

Officials anticipate more than 700,000 people to attend the five-day event so Erlich encourages people to arrive early to find parking or to simply park at the Tacoma Dome where shuttles will take patrons to the event.

Weather.com is forecasting temperatures in the 70s so Mother Nature appears to be playing along, which should make the event that much better.

“It’s very exciting,” Erlich said of the festival. “It’ll be a time people should bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to enjoy the event.”