Tall Sailing Ships: Thursday, May 29 - Wednesday, June 4
Once again, two double-masted brigs, Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, will be an advance feature of the Portland Rose Festival's Fleet Week program. Having appeared in movies (including the original "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie) and TV documentaries, these famous maritime vessels harken from the golden age of ocean exploration.
That be right, mateys -- thar be Tall Sailing Ships moored on the Willamette River at Salmon Street, next to the WaMu Waterfront Village. Arriving on Thursday, May 29, as part of the 2008 Portland Rose Festival's opening day ceremonies, these two famous seafaring vessels will offer daily river cruises (called Battle Sails -- complete with a mock cannon battle), dockside tours and educational programs. (Due to other commitments, these ships will depart on Thursday, June 5.) For reservations, ticket information and further details, please call Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority at 800.200.5239 -- or visit their website at HistoricalSeaport.Org.
Fleet Week: Wednesday, June 4 - Sunday, June 8
Naval vessels from the United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Maritime Forces arrive from around the world for a four-day visit to the City of Roses. Ship tours will be available daily.
The USS Charleston was the first ship to visit the Portland Rose Festival in 1907 and the navy's annual Rose Festival Fleet Week visitation has been an annual tradition for nearly 70 years.
Canadian Maritime Forces began visiting the Rose Festival in 1924 and continue to bring ships each year. The Battleship USS Oregon visited the Rose Festival in its final tour before decommissioning in 1925. The mast of the USS Oregon now resides in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Naval Ship Tours
Admission is FREE (on a first-come basis as time allows)
Due to current world affairs, public tours of Fleet Week ships will be limited and may be cancelled without notice. Public tours will be on a first-come basis between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Visitors may be subject to personal search and no bags, strollers or wheelchairs will be allowed onboard. There will not be any "holding" area for personal items and visitors must be able to maneuver on board the ships, including climbing narrow ladders.
Naval Fleet Up-River Cruises
Up-river cruises are available on a limited basis through the Navy League Blueback Council. These cruises are extremely popular and fill up very early. To receive information about these Fleet Up-River Cruises, please send your name, address, email and mailing address to gaglswn@aol.com. You will be contacted in April. All cruises are subject to cancellation without notice.
Names of participating naval ships will be released Tuesday, May 27.
Please check back for updates. All information subject to change without notice.
