Tall ship Lady Washington returns to Monterey

MONTEREY, Calif. (KTVU) - Lady Washington, a full-scale replica of the first American vessel to make landfall on the west coast of North America – and also a ship featured in the film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ – will take part in a special reenactment of the Bouchard’s attack on Monterey for the bulk of November. 

Put on by Gray’s Harbor Historical Seaport, festivities with the tall ship run from Nov. 8 to Nov. 25 and include tours, multiple sails, a cannon duel and more. The reenactment involves "dramatic presentations by actors" and a lowering of the Spanish and raising of the Argentine Flag. Participants will board the vessel for a sail or take a self-guided tour. The only bummer, in regards to the Monterey visit, is the ship’s growing popularity.

Because tours are all sold out.

“They normally sell out, but definitely sold out quicker this year,” said Amy Carlson, Development Officer with Historical Seaport. "[The ship] is becoming more and more popular every year we do this.”

But you can still marvel at Lady Washington’s beauty on the self-guided tour. And now, at the very least, Lady Washington is on your radar, as the ship prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year – an event Carlson assures will be worth viewing. 

Built to mirror the 18th century ship that led an unprecedented trading voyage around Cape Horn after the Revolutionary War, the Lady Washington is a working vessel with a rotating crew of less than 10 that journeys up and down the west coast throughout the year. Except when she’s making some celebrity appearances, of course. 

The 112-foot long, 89-foot tall vessel is “a little star in her own right." The ship has appeared in several movies and television shows, including “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Star Trek: Generations," "Once Upon A Time" and "Revolution." 

Carlson says those sailing with the crew will get a real, wind-powered experience, as they don’t do engine sailing. And be sure to check out the detail on those sails if you make it aboard. The 156 lines of running rigging would extend three miles if laid end to end.