Tag: Northwest Maritime Center

The long boat revisited

Long boat 1

A couple of weeks ago I showed you this boat under sail. It is a replica of one of the long boats that Captain George Vancouver’s crew used in the 1790s to explore our region. I saw it again, moored in Port Townsend, when I returned last week to look at the ancient anchor that may have come from this expedition. This is a more placid view of the boat which is used for Marine Education at the Northwest Maritime Center.

Long boat stern

It’s quite a lovely boat with a very sweet stern.

Long boat oars

Here’s a lesson in oars from DH, who pointed out these details to me: The big square part of the oars shown here is called the “loom.” It’s notable for its square form which is functional as a counter weight, making it easier to lift the blade of the oar out of the water during rowing. (Typical oars these days are more slender and tapered.) The leather on the oar relieves wear on it where it rides in the tholes, the slots you see above the sides (gunn’ls) of the boat. The tholes here are notable as this was the way oars were applied before the typical oar locks you see today. There. Now go out and impress someone with your extensive knowledge of oars!

Port Townsend – Northwest Maritime Center

Continuing yesterday’s maritime theme, another Port Townsend go-to for any boater is the Northwest Maritime Center. The two building complex houses a boathouse, classrooms, library, a conference facility, and a pilothouse set up for learning navigation, communications, and vessel control. The Center opens onto a large plaza overlooking Port Townsend Bay and often displays beautiful wooden boats.

The Chandlery at the Maritime Center was our destination on this trip. Brass nails, to be exact. But we’ve found Stockholm tar and marine paint there and drooled over tools and fixtures. The shop fields calls from all over the U.S. and the manager included a call from the Carribbean in her list of calls the day we visited.

There is an excellent selection of books, a small cafe, boating togs, and a well-chosen array of gifts and art. Even if you’re not seaward bound, it’s an interesting place to browse.

On a sunnier day and a future trip I’ll snap some photos of the Center’s outdoor plaza and boats. It’s an attractive and impressive facility.