PORT TOWNSEND — Up to a dozen tall ships could sail past two Jefferson County state parks today as part of a parade to commemorate George Vancouver’s expedition into Puget Sound.
The ships are expected to pass the Point Wilson Lighthouse at the tip of Fort Worden State Park between 2:20 p.m. and 3 p.m.
They’ll then sail across to the shore off Fort Casey State Park on Whidbey Island around 2:45 p.m. then sail back across to greet Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island around 3:20 p.m.
The parade is coordinated in part by Lynn Hyde of the San Juan Island National Historical Park.
The hope is to sail the vessels into Admiralty Inlet together to celebrate the 225th anniversary of George Vancouver’s expedition into Puget Sound.
The British captain sailed into Puget Sound in 1792, making him the first European known to sail in the area.
He took possession of an area near Mukilteo, proclaiming it New Georgia as a birthday present for King George III, according to a press release from the San Juan Island National Historical Park.
Vancouver managed to chart the shorelines of Puget Sound, literally putting the area on the map.
“We’re trying to herd those vessels so they come in together as a parade for the 225th anniversary,” Hyde said. “There could be as many as a dozen, or less than that.”
The ships are ultimately headed to the Festival of Sail 2017, which is taking place in Tacoma from Thursday through Sunday.
Some are coming from as far away as California but others, including the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, docked in Port Townsend overnight.
“We’re just hoping everyone is there,” Hyde said.
If the tall ships can’t quite rally for a parade today, there will still be a good chance to see a few from the three state parks throughout the day because they are all located at the mouth of Admiralty Inlet, which is their only route to Tacoma.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
A passerby leans over the railings at the Northwest Maritime Center dock to check out the Hawaiian Chieftain, one of a dozen tall ships scheduled to sail through Admiralty Inlet today. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)
