In One Ear: Hawaiian Chieftain sails again
On April 10, the Peninsula Daily News in Washington had a short snippet about a vessel that once sailed the Columbia River:
“The Hawaiian Chieftain, a 103-foot sailing ship, was returned to the water Tuesday after it spent several years being restored at the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven. The ship, purchased from the Grays Harbor Historical Society by Aubrey and Matt Wilson, will now return to Hawaii, where it will be available for tours and events.”
Before it went to Washington for repairs, the vessel sat at Astoria’s Pier 39 for some time, looking pretty forlorn and a good deal worse for the wear. However, after an unveiling last September, the ship was unrecognizable — in a good way.
Aside from a new mast, sandblasting and a snappy new paint job, the work included repairing the damaged hull, bulwarks, house and interior bulkheads, installing new engines and rebuilding and restoring the rigging.
Farewell, Hawaiian Chieftain. May you have fair winds and following seas on your next adventures. (Photo: Peter Segall/Peninsula Daily News)
