ON THE WATER -- Tall ships a-sailing

June Casagrande

A fierce cannon battle is expected to break out in Newport Harbor on

Friday -- and Saturday and Sunday.

The Hawaiian Chieftan and Lady Washington, two 18th century replica

ships, will sail into town Tuesday. And if their reception is anywhere

near as enthusiastic as it was last year, the Newport Harbor Nautical

Museum will likely be swamped with awed visitors.

“It was a really successful visit last year partly because there’s

such a romance to these ships,” said Wayne Eggleston, executive director

of the museum. “People can transport themselves back in time by looking

at the ships and their costumed crew.”

The stop is part of a 16-city West Coast tour for the tall ships. From

Tuesday until Jan. 22, visitors can view the historic vessels docked at

the museum. Tours of the ships, including below deck, will be available

periodically during their stay. Programs for school groups and sailing

training are also available. And, beginning Friday, visitors will have

three opportunities to ride the ships during a cannon battle reenactment.

“The battle reenactments are unchoreographed, which makes them even

more exciting,” said Brad Sousa, captain of the Lady Washington. “This is

a great educational opportunity to see a real, working part of history.”

The Lady Washington is a full-scale replica of the first American ship

to ever sail into the waters of the Pacific Northwest. The Hawaiian

Chieftan, a 103-foot-square topsail ketch, was built in Hawaii in 1988 in

the style of a 1790s-era northern European trading vessel.

“They’re magnificent to see -- just spectacular,” said Lynn McFarlane,

a spokeswoman for the Hawaiian Chieftan. “And the experience of going on

board and actually sailing them is exciting.”

Friday’s battle reenactment is a fund-raiser for the museum, complete

with wine and hors d’oeuvres. In celebration of the ships’ visit, the

museum will break from its usual schedule to stay open Monday to allow

people to tour the Hot Yachts exhibit on display until March 15.

“Just seeing the ships from the highway as you come over the bridge is

a big draw,” Eggleston said. “People see them and just pull right in.”

FYI

WHAT: Sixth annual Tall Ships Tour

WHEN: Tuesday until Jan. 22; Battle reenactment fund-raiser for museum

is 3 to 6 p.m. Friday. Reenactments also take place Saturday and Sunday

from 2 to 5 p.m. Dockside tours are available Thursday, Friday and

Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Jan. 21

from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sailing training for all ages is available Sunday

from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. History programs for fourth- and fifth-grade

students are available weekdays.

WHERE: The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 151 E. Coast Highway, on

board the Riverboat Pride of Newport

COST: Friday’s fund-raiser battle reenactment is $45 for adults, $25

for children $12 and younger. Reenactments Saturday and Sunday are $40

for adults, $20 for children. Sailing training is $40 for adults, $20 for

children; tours of the boats cost $7 per family, $3 for adults, $2 for

students and seniors and 41 for children 12 and younger.

INFORMATION: To take part in Friday’s battle reenactment, call (949)

673-7863; for other reenactments, classes and other programs, call (800)

200-5239.