Joyce Morrell
Halie & Matthew
The Halie & Matthew, damaged during a storm on the Great Lakes, has withdrawn from Tall Ships Duluth.Damaged by a lightning strike and an on-board fire during its voyage on the Great Lakes, the Halie & Matthew has withdrawn from Tall Ships Duluth.
The 118-foot two-masted schooner had been scheduled to join nine other tall ships in Duluth this weekend for the festival, but the damages sustained during a storm won't be repaired in time, says Visit Duluth. No crew members were injured.
"We've reached out to other ships for redirecting day sail passengers slated for the Halie & Matthew," says Terry Mattson, Visit Duluth president and CEO. Organizers say more than 1,000 day sails on the ship had been sold. Some 70 percent of ticket-holders will be able to take a sailaway on another ship instead. Full refunds will be provided to the rest.
"Thanks to the unbelievable goodwill of others in the tall ship community, including support from additional captains and crews, we are moving heaven and earth," Terry says.
More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the July 25-29 event in Duluth. Says Terry, "One less tall ship in our fleet won't deter the festival."
The Halie & Matthew, named for its owner's two children, is based in Key West, Florida. Tall Ships Duluth would have been the ship's first appearance in the Twin Ports.
The festival begins on Thursday at 2 p.m. with the Parade of Sail, when the nine vessels sail into the harbor under Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge.