Public Can Sail on Tall Ships as they Battle in San Pedro on Monday

The Public Can Sail on Tall Ships as they Battle in San Pedro on Monday. The following articles was published today in the Daily Breeze By Samantha Troisi Staff Writer

"Exploding cannons may be heard in the waters off San Pedro Harbor on Monday as guests take part in a real-life tall ship battle for the ocean.

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute's Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson brigantines will team up with the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain from Washington state to give participants an idea of what a 19th century maritime battle would be like.

"A lot of the sailors look rustic and traditional," said the institute's Don Benedict. "We want everyone to get into the adventure of it and we're trying to fulfill fantasies. We're making a memory that people won't forget."

The battle will begin at 2 p.m. and tickets to sail aboard one of the ships are available through the institute. Guests will have the chance to help steer the vessels, raise sails and hear stories about maritime life from the crew.

"They'll share stories of other sailors, adventures, close calls and life," Benedict said. "The sailors will share with them because they know that original feeling when they first got on a tall ship and it's exciting."

The ships will be maneuvering around one another and using real gunpowder to attack the sterns and bows of the ships, but Benedict said the rest is up to the guests' imaginations.

"If anyone has an inkling about ships, they'll realize there was a lot to the battle other than just pulling alongside each other and blasting off," Benedict said.

"There will definitely be bragging rights later for the sailors, and even though the guests may not know who's winning at the time, they'll feel the energy and the power of it."
samantha.troisi@dailybreeze.com

Want to go?

Boat tickets are $60 for adults, $50 for students, seniors and active military, and $40 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lamitopsail.org or by calling 310-833-6055."