Letters


Foundation Formed to Restore The 1926 Staysail Schooner


Sindbad


Seattle, typical of all early American cities, was


founded by people coming from the sea in wind powered vessels. Waterside villages became urban centers due to the commerce flowing in and out of the harbors. Out of the need for good boats, in environments of bountiful forests, America soon became a leader in making the finest boats. Competition between the boats building ports produced top rate naval architects and shipwrights. American vessels were the valedictorians of their classes. Think of Glory of the Seas in commerce, Constitution in military, America in sail racing. Yacht building became one of Seattle’s main industries in the bonanza years of the 1920’s. Seattle yachts were known nationally as seaworthy, fast and stunningly attractive in every detail. Sindbad is more than a 1926 staysail schooner; she is a


Northwest legend. Bill Hedley, her first owner, made Sindbad a part of his larger than life personality. Sindbad became a noble gathering place for conversations, or listening to Hedley read classic literature. Everyone within hailing distance on the shores of Puget Sound, the San Juan and Gulf islands were invited aboard with a loud and welcoming shout. Bill Hedley was concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony.


He sailed in the summer. The Seattle Yacht Club was winter home port. Many young sailors who idolized Bill and his exuberant lifestyle got their first schooner experience crewing on Sindbad. If one of his violin students did well on a practice session, they would get a Bill Hedley sailing story at practice end, at no charge. Leigh Coolidge, a Naval Architect, also called Duke


Coolidge was renowned in Seattle and along the Pacific Coast. Coolidge is famous for the Miki-Miki tugboats and raised deck mother cruisers he designed. Beyond Sindbad’s social appeal, she was a stoutly built vessel for blue water sailing. Her massive beam clamp and hanging knees are impressive. The skipper and the schooner are woven into our Northwest maritime culture.


48° NORTH, APRIL 2011 PAGE 14


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