Ship Round-Up and Story Ideas

Tacoma, Wash. (June 6, 2005)—Over 30 vessels will sail into the Thea Foss Waterway for the Tall Ships® Festival July 1 to July 4. The intrigue these vessels hold includes the grandeur of seeing a flotilla of tall ships and the history and story each vessel brings.

Ship highlights include:

The R. Tucker Thompson, home-port Whangarei, New Zealand, an 85’ topsail schooner, has the honor of being the ship sailing the furthest to the Festival, at 6,800 nautical miles. It will lead the June 30 Parade of Sail. While in port, the crew has been adopted by a local family. For a log of their current voyage to North America, which began April 23, visit [http://www.tucker.co.nz/VoyageLogs/log_2005.htm].

Ship contacts: Russell Harris, the Ship’s Master at russell@tucker.co.nz or Jane Hindle, jane@tucker.co.nz.

N. Star of Hershall Island, home-port Victoria, B.C., is the last of the sailing Arctic cargo ships. A mom and pop operation, the family lives and works onboard. Mom and Dad’s crew consists of their two children and foster children.

Ship contacts: Bruce and Sheila MacDonald, skippers; email:pressgang@hotmail.com; phone 250-885-0645; web site: northstar.titaniumwebs.com



Lynx, home-port Newport Beach, CA; the captain and crew dress as pirates and they perform mock cannon battles with the Lady Washington up and down the West Coast. Don’t miss their battles at the Festival July 1-4.

Ship Contact: Jeffrey Woods, LYNX Educational Foundation, phone: (949) 723-7814; email: woodsjwreno@aol.com


Charles N. Curtis, Odyssey, Rejoice, Verite’, Yankee Clipper, - All Sea Scout vessels (part of the Boys Scouts of America) whose sole function is sea training, self-confidence and leadership-building. Five Sea Scout vessels will participate in the Festival.

Charles N. Curtis, home-port Tacoma, Wash.
Odyssey, home-port Tacoma, Wash.
Rejoice, home-port LaConner, Wash.
Verite’, home-port Tacoma, Wash.
Yankee Clipper, home-port Seattle, Wash.

Ship Contacts:

Sea Scouts Commodore, Pacific Harbors Council - Hank Hibbard, phone: 253-761-8742; email: hibbardfamily@harbornet.com

Charles N. Curtis: Tom Rogers, skipper, Ship #110; phone: 253-952-6282; email: trlanakila@comcast.net

Yankee Clipper: Committee Chairman, John Kelly, phone number is (206) 932-0971; email is jkelly3@raincity.com


The Pallada, home-port Vladivostok, is a Russian full-rigged ship. Pallada sails with a complement of 143 cadets and a permanent crew of 56 officers, teachers, and professionals. With twenty-six sails and masts soaring 162 feet above the deck, Pallada combines traditional sail training with a modern maritime college curriculum.

Ship contact: Gregory Kim, Rector, Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University, Vladivostok, phone: Russia +7-4232-441928

Talofa, home-port La Paz, Mexico; mostly performs charters in the Gulf of California. Their Captain is from the Tacoma-area and he and his family took off for an around the world trip several months ago, only to stop in the gulf for part-time work and the beauty of the area.

Ship Contact: Kevin Porter, skipper, email: sunbreak@hupfel.com


The Tacoma Tall Ships® Festival is free to the public. Tickets to get an up-close look at or tour of a select group of vessels are $10 per person per day. Children 10 and under free with a ticketed adult. There are separate charges for some festival activities. Three-hour Day Sail Adventures are available as well as Cannon Battle Cruises. There are limited opportunities to view the Fourth of July Fireworks show from the deck of a Tall Ship. Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.tallshipstacoma.com or by contacting the Tall Ships Tacoma office at 253-682-1446.

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Tall Ships® are historic sailing vessels. More than 30 vessels, including Tall Ships® and other historical boats, will be available for public viewing along the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington from July 1 through 4, 2005. For more information, visit www.tallshipstacoma.com. For information on Freedom Fair, the Fourth of July celebration that will also take place on Tacoma’s waterfront, visit www.freedomfair.com.