Tallship Fiddlers Dream Restoration

About Kitsap Maritime Heritage Foundation

 
The Fiddler’s Dream, Kitsap’s very own tall ship, has become a reality through the organization of Kitsap Maritime Heritage Foundation (KMHF).  This two-masted, gaff-rigged schooner resembles the cod schooners that plied local waterways between the late 1800’s and the mid- 1940’s. The Fiddler’s Dream is a 66 ½ -foot steel hull vessel, with all other structures built of wood. 

The Fiddlers Dream Restoration Project

This Tallship has seen many days on the sea, with open waters and blistering winds it has taken a toll on the vessel. With help from skilled volunteers and the community we have started the long process of restoring this amazing piece of history. Volunteers have put in many hours installing new decking and meeting all Coast Guard requirements, all while working alongside Crafted Shipwrights.



            Just to inform you about where we started and where we are today, here are some dates of achievement.

January 2014 – Ownership of Fiddlers Dream was donated to Kitsap Maritime
July 2014 – Completed the down rigging and required hull repairs
January 2015 – Removed all of the non-serviceable items from the ship such as furniture, plumbing and decking (which we found to be rotten in some areas)
March 2015 – Started replacing the deck beams and placing sub deck
March 2016 – Completed installation of the new sub decking
July 2016 – Installed the framework for a new chart house
August 2016 – Did a lot of sanding and preserving in preparation for the deck
October 2016 – Completed installation of the King Planks (center)
November 2016 – In progress of completing the cover boards (sides) and then start installing the deck planking in December

It has definitely been a busy time for us and the restoration is turning out to be quite complicated to meet all of the Coast Guard requirements. Our crew of experienced shipwrights and volunteers has had a challenge through this project and there are more ahead.

 



We need your help to finish the restoration of this vessel.

 

Kitsap County presents a unique opportunity for learning about our Maritime history and the marine life that inhabits Puget Sound.– Davy Jones

 

  The idea is to offer an Education program on Fiddlers Dream, tailored to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders teaching the use of practical Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Kitsap Maritime will offer two different educational programs that are designed to complement what students learn about 18th century global trade and exploration in their history class.

The first program offered is a One-Hour Dockside program where the students are onboard for approximately an hour rotating through three learning stations.

The second program is a Three-Hour Sailing program where the ships leave the dock and sail for three hours while the students engage in an interactive educational adventure, also rotating through the three learning stations:

Life of a Sailor Station: This station is dedicated to experiencing the life and work of the common sailors back in the 18th century.

History Station: This station is located below deck and is where the reason for the voyage lies. The students will be guided through a global trade cycle involving Spanish, American, Native American, Chinese and English cultures and economies.

Navigation Station: This station is on the Stern or Quarter Deck. Here the students will experience the tools and skills of navigating a 200 year old sailing ship..

 This image shows how a pully is used to lift heavy objects with ease. 



It was so much fun once we actually picked up some wind, and moved around only using the wind! That afternoon was definitely something I wish would happen again, because not only did I learn a little about sailing, but I had a lot of fun too! – Jacob
 

 

The Fiddlers Dream will be a public floating classroom that will benefit the communities of Kitsap, Pierce, and King County. Not only is The Schooner Fiddlers Dream a new venture to learn, it gives a new way of looking at teaching skills that will last a lifetime. Students, parents and grandparents alike will be hands-on, fully engaged in activities that have been around since the 1800s. Hoisting sails with the use of mechanical advantage, using tools of navigations that have shaped the technology we use today, and learning new cultures.

 volunteers pose after a long days work. 



With any and all funds that we raise, it will go directly to the vessel to complete the project. Here is a full list of the projects and the cost of each. This List is in order of what the Ship Wrights have explained to be completed.

 

Complete Decking - 15K
Tanks and Plumbing - 17K
Electrical - 22K
Steering (including Haul Out for Through Hulls below line) - 30K
Navionics - 20K
Engine - 10K
Mast/Rigging - 20K
Sails - 5K
Safety Equipment - 12K
Coast Guard Certification - 20K
 

 
I remember being in Los Angles with a group of kids on board and being struck by the thought that some of these children, had knowledge of the Pacific Ocean but had probably never seen it much less had the chance to voyage on it. – Dave Haslam

 

 

The sooner we can reach our goal the sooner The Fiddlers Dream will be out sailing and teaching. We have great volunteers helping on the weekends with the Ship Wrights. Work parties are planned every week, we welcome everyone come visit and lend a hand, or just to say ‘Hi.’

 Volunteer taking a break in the heat. 



Kitsap Maritime is very active in the community by hosting events and we are always willing to learn as well as teach others about the life of a sailor.

 This is what Fiddlers dream looked like on the day she was first built. The Goal !



We could not have made it this far without our volunteers and supporters, it takes a community to bring this large of a project to life.

 

Thank you.