Tall Ship in Full Sail
by James Williamson
Title
Tall Ship in Full Sail
Artist
James Williamson
Medium
Painting - Watercolor
Description
A story about a tall ship, maritime art, and friendship.
Artist James Williamson, ASMA
Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists
Contemplating recent events involving Ukraine, Russia, European countries, and the United States I have been concerned about the conflict. I recall memories of a better time when Russia and the West were becoming friends with an opportunity to interact in a more amiable way. Hostility and suspicion were fading away and we began to reconcile our differences with the promise of a brighter future.
One aspect of this new friendship was the arrival of the Russian tall ship PALLADA to the Pacific Northwest. The physical presence of the vessel and crew generated positive feelings of friendship, mutual regard, respect, and acceptance. The sheer size of the 356-foot-long steel hull ship with 26 sails covering 29,827 square feet and a main mast of 162 feet was an unforgettable sight. Built in Gdansk, Poland in 1989 she has a compliment of 143 cadets and a crew of 56 officers and teachers. Named for the Greek goddess Pallas Athena.
Sailing to ports of the Pacific Rim including Alaska, Washington State and California, PALLADA arrived in Bellingham Bay in July 1990 and was showered with gifts, hosts, and donated services.
When the PALLADA arrived in Bellingham she was low of food, fuel, and other essential items without resources to pay. The Soviet Union had collapsed and in a manner of speaking left this magnificent ship and crew ‘adrift’. Therefore, the donations from various individuals and companies became very important.
From the moment it first entered Bellingham Bay, the Russian training sailing vessel Pallada’s sails were billowed by the warm, Whatcom County, Washington winds of hospitality. On the heels of a Goodwill Games stay in Seattle, the Pallada’s visit in Bellingham became a gift of goodwill from Americans to the Russians. FOSS Maritime sent tractor tug Arthur to bring the 356-foot-long ship to dock. The Port of Bellingham donated a free berth to the ship during its three weeks stay. The International Longshore and Warehousemen’s Union donated time to tie up the vessel at the Georgia Pacific dock. A local bagpipe band heralded the arrival. The department of Fisheries escorted the ship into the bay. The Whatcom Transit Authority gave free passage to crewmen. Local Bellingham artist James R. Williamson donated original artwork plus limited editions of Whatcom County maritime history to Captain Arsentiev and other members of the crew.
The city and port donated telephone connections. Puget Power provided transportation, tours, and tickets to the Bellingham Mariners baseball game. USWest provided transportation. Dozens of citizens offered the hospitality of their homes as well as tours of the community to the crew. Haggans Foods provided truckloads of food for the officers, crew, teachers, and cadets aboard the vessel. Fountain Bakery provided an endless supply of donuts. Radio Shack provided walkie talkies for the crew and radio-controlled toy cars for the cadets. More than 20,000 people toured the vessel, demonstrating the interest of local residents in this spectacular maritime event. The crew of PALLADA will never forget the warm welcome and friendship provided by the residents of Whatcom County.
Artwork documenting the significance of our maritime heritage and helping to bring our countries closer together in a beneficial and enduring manner contributing to a peaceful coexistence.
Hope for the Future
The Pacific Northwest city of Blaine, Washington, north of Bellingham, features a monument at the United States Canadian border crossing. The Peace Arch proclaims, “We are the Children of a Common Mother”. The arrival of the magnificent tall ship PALLADA reaffirmed this message. A sailing vessel and crew in full splendor, a messenger of peace and cooperation.
We have experienced a period of grace since that momentous occasion. A time of relative peace and harmony among nations. A thaw in tensions between two countries and a lessoning of hostilities. Let us hope and have faith in the belief that we can once again share our artwork, artists, sailing vessels and sailors and common interests. That we can once again welcome PALLADA to our shores, reignite peace and replenish our aspirations for a brighter future with the exchange of culture, tall ships, and maritime art.
Uploaded
May 1st, 2022
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