Tall ships head south

Newport Beach’s Lynx and Argus are scheduled to set sail today for

Dana Point to show their stuff at the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival.

Both ships are set to begin the event tonight with a sunset parade

through Dana Point Harbor. Newport’s representatives are expected to

be joined by an array of tall ships from other ports for the maritime

festival.

The event is set to continue through the weekend, and Lynx and

Argus are expected to engage in mock warfare in a battle featuring

seven other vessels.

The brig Pilgrim, which makes Dana Point its home port, is the

only vessel expected to stay out of the fight.

Though the battle sails will not be reenactments of actual

historical clashes, Wyman said the ships’ crews will demonstrate

historical tactics, and some crew members are expected to wear period

costumes.

Argus is a 100-year-old, blue, 92-foot, topsail ketch that is

usually docked at the Boy Scouts of America’s Newport Sea Base. Erik

Berliner is set to captain the Argus for the weekend festival. He

said he considers the ship’s participation in the event to be part of

the celebration for Argus’ centennial.

Because Argus is affiliated with the Boy Scouts, people can’t buy

tickets to watch the battle sails aboard her deck. However, nautical

enthusiasts and anyone else who may want to check out the century-old

ship will be able to board Argus while the ship is at anchor.

“The biggest attraction, of course, is for the public to come down

and get on the boats and talk to the crew,” Berliner said.

Lynx is built to resemble an 1812-era privateer’s schooner. Jeff

Woods, operations director for the Lynx Educational Foundation, said

Thursday that the Lynx’s crew was packing black powder for their

cannons to prepare for the festival.

“Lynx always stands ready, so bring them on,” Woods said.

As of Thursday, tickets to watch the simulated engagements

Saturday aboard one of the participating tall ships were sold out,

but tickets to see the action aboard spectator craft were still

available. Tickets to watch the Sunday fight on a participating

ship’s deck were still on sale.

For festival schedules and admissions prices, go to

o7www.tallshipsfestival.comf7, or call the Ocean Institute at (949)

496-2274.

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at

[email protected].