Meet the Crew!  

Our last campaign was to Equip the Ship with her crew, and thanks to you, we were able to bring the crew back to the Lady Washington and get her sailing season underway. Thank you for your support; we could not have done this without you. Since we wanted you to get to know the crew, I (Bailey) asked them some questions and am including their answers here for you all. When you visit Lady next, make sure to say hello! 

Before we get into the interviews, here is a brief bio of our very own Captain! 

 Katherine Pogue-Captain 

Katherine started working on Tall Ships as a volunteer in her hometown of San Diego. She graduated from CSU San Marcos with a BA in history and a minor in literature and writing studies in 2013. Since then, she has pursued live-aboard Tall Ship life full-time, working on various ships on the Great Lakes and West Coast while obtaining professional licensing along the way. 

She now has a 200-ton near coastal master’s license and is settled aboard the Lady Washington as the full-time Captain. When Katherine is not on board, she lives in a tiny 140-foot house. She enjoys nature walks, reading, writing, and cuddling the Seaport’s resident cat and superstar Marlin in her free time.  

And now, please enjoy getting to know the rest of your 2024 Sailing Season Lady Washington Crew! 

Emerson Jones-Chief Mate 

Where are you from? 

I’m from Northern California. 

What is your current position on Lady? Have you worked on Lady before (and if so, what was your position then)? 

I’m Chief Mate. I’ve sailed Lady before, as a Two-Weeker, as a deckhand, and as Boatswain.  

What is something that you love about Lady? 

Sailing a brig requires teamwork, attention to the big picture, and lots of work aloft-which makes Lady an excellent training vessel.  

How long have you been sailing? What drew you to sailing in the first place?  

I’ve been sailing since 2019. I was drawn to sailing by my longstanding interest in maritime history.  

What is something else that you would be interested in sharing about yourself? Do you love knitting and Fabergé Eggs? Share that here! 

I do like Fabergé Eggs. 

 

Naomi Nesbit-Weiner-Chief Engineer 

Where are you from? 

Olympia! 😊  

What is your current position on Lady? Have you worked on Lady before (and if so, what was your position then)? 

Chief Engineer! Also, deckhand. No, I have never worked on Lady before, but I was formerly the Purser on the Hawaiian Chieftain (long may she sail).  

What is something that you love about Lady? 

The people! I love the communities that form around this boat, both the past and present. 

How long have you been sailing? What drew you to sailing in the first place?  

I’ve never seen a boat in my life. 

What is something else that you would be interested in sharing about yourself? Do you love knitting and Fabergé Eggs? Share that here! 

I *love* Star Trek and have watched Deep Space 9 all the way through at least 5 times.  

 

Kate Miller-Vickers-Bosun 

Where are you from? 

I’m from New England-Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. 

What is your current position on Lady? Have you worked on Lady before (and if so, what was your position then)? 

I am the Bosun and was Program Coordinator last season.  

What is something that you love about Lady? 

Being aloft furling at the end of an evening sail in golden sunset light.  

How long have you been sailing? What drew you to sailing in the first place?  

It’s my second season. I heard about Grays Harbor and the Lady Washington through a friend who had been crew before.  

What is something else that you would be interested in sharing about yourself? Do you love knitting and Fabergé Eggs? Share that here! 

I come from a background of working in land-based outdoor education.  

 

Evellynne L Ford-Program Coordinator 

Where are you from? 

I’m a born and raised nor’westie! 

What is your current position on Lady? Have you worked on Lady before (and if so, what was your position then)? 

I’m the Program Coordinator. It’s my first year on Lady after two and a half years on the Schooner Adventuress.  

What is something that you love about Lady? 

It’s a great environment for learning, and I get my own bunk with a cubby! 

How long have you been sailing? What drew you to sailing in the first place?  

I started sailing small boats in 2015 in Olympia while studying marine biology. It’s a great way to be close to the water! 

What is something else that you would be interested in sharing about yourself? Do you love knitting and Fabergé Eggs? Share that here! 

I am an avid student of esoteric philosophy, folk music, and historic European martial arts.  

 

Syd Bedgood-Cook 

Where are you from? 

I’m from Alabama originally, but I moved here in 2020. I still spend winters back with my family, though.  

What is your current position on Lady? Have you worked on Lady before (and if so, what was your position then)? 

I’m the cook! 2024 is my third season being her cook, and I’ve never done anything else 😊 

What is something that you love about Lady? 

How close-knit the crew gets, and how well we mesh together. We’re all a bunch of weirdos, and I’ve never felt more like I belonged somewhere.  

How long have you been sailing? What drew you to sailing in the first place?  

Lady is my first tall ship, but before that I worked on the Argosy tour boats in Seattle. I started because being on the water looked fun-and I joined Lady because I prefer the communal, transient lifestyle and the people in it.  

What is something else that you would be interested in sharing about yourself? Do you love knitting and Fabergé Eggs? Share that here! 

Cooking is my love language, and I am so lucky to be doing it as my career. I love sharing recipes; feel free to ask me for some, or share your favorites if you meet me! 

 

Ellis Stramer-Deckhand 

Where are you from? 

I’m from just outside of Seattle.  

What is your current position on Lady? Have you worked on Lady before (and if so, what was your position then)? 

I’m one of a few deckhands. Last year aboard the Lady, I was a trainee in the Two Weeks program.  

What is something that you love about Lady? 

The top yard foot ropes and the view from the yards.  

How long have you been sailing? What drew you to sailing in the first place?  

This is my first year as a professional crew member on a tall ship. I can’t think of a reason why I wouldn’t be drawn to sailing; it seems to be everything I love rolled up into one job. 

What is something else that you would be interested in sharing about yourself? Do you love knitting and Fabergé Eggs? Share that here! 

I love to draw and paint, and I usually always have my sketchbook with me when I leave the boat.  

 

Locke HB-Deckhand 

Where are you from? 

I’m from Olympia. 

What is your current position on Lady? Have you worked on Lady before (and if so, what was your position then)? 

I’m a deckhand, and it’s my first time working on Lady.  

What is something that you love about Lady? 

I love the people and seeing the rigging in action.  

How long have you been sailing? What drew you to sailing in the first place?  

I’m new to sailing, and I heard about it through a friend.  

What is something else that you would be interested in sharing about yourself? Do you love knitting and Fabergé Eggs? Share that here! 

I crochet.