I'm sure there's more to this story than what is being spinned by the media. First, the story down the coast and in the Grays Harbor newsletter is that the Lady Washington was in dry dock this winter for routine repairs. This was 'why' we were told she was not sailing the California coast this winter. Second, her sailing mate, the Hawaiian Chieftan, was recently purchased by Grays Harbor. If they had the money to buy the diesel spewing Chieftan, why didn't they use it to upgrade the Lady's diesel then?
Don't get me wrong, I love the Lady and she needs the money, but I suspect the Pirates here are the ones holding her ransom for your donations. I only have so much money for charity right now and have to decide which, of the many beautiful tallships on the west coast, will get my small amount.
The list includes...
Adventuress
Alma
American Pride
Balclutha
Bill of Rights
Bounty
USCGC Barque Eagle
Californian
HMS Surprise
Spirit of Dana Point
Pilgrim of Dana Point
Exy Johnson
Irving Johnson
Lynx
Mallory Todd
Nehemiah
and of course,
Hawaiian Chieftan
Lady Washington
I try to rotate each year.
Always,
~BHP