PORT TOWNSEND — Shore leave in Port Townsend from the USS Stennis aircraft carrier now docked at Naval Magazine Indian Island is expected to pick up this week.
Only 240, fewer than expected, arrived later than expected Monday night, when many businesses stayed open late for them, but merchants expected greater numbers through Thursday.
The aircraft carrier docked at Naval Magazine Indian Island on Monday afternoon with plans to shuttle a portion of the 3,000-member crew to Port Townsend for evening liberty.
Shore leave was scheduled for each evening, with sailors expected downtown from about 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights and from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.
“I’ll be coming back tomorrow,” said Petty Officer Kameron Bradley on Monday night.
Port Townsend Main Street personnel had asked merchants to stay open until at least 7 p.m. to accommodate them — and to increase business for bars, restaurants and other businesses.
On Monday night, about 240 sailors chose to take leave in Port Townsend, the lesser numbers due to the lateness of arrival and “the necessity to get their work done before going anywhere,” according to Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Higgins, the Stennis’ spokeswoman.
Higgins, as well as many downtown merchants, expected more sailors to come to town on subsequent nights.
Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen did not see the low turnout as a pessimistic sign.
“We had 240 people come to town on a Monday night in the winter months, and that’s still pretty good,” Mullen said.
Buses were scheduled to arrive at the Jefferson Transit stop at Water and Adams streets at 4:20 p.m. Monday but did not get to town until 6 p.m., using the Port Townsend Plaza adjacent to the ferry dock as a drop-off point.
Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce representatives were on hand to distribute maps with directions to bars with televisions showing the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) finals, but those crowds didn’t materialize.
Many chose to watch the game on the ship, according to one Navy sailor.
While the sailors arrived later than expected, Tin Brick owner Harry Doyle said about a dozen crew members came in for food and drink after the game was in progress.
They liked the food and atmosphere, Doyle said, and several ordered pizza to take back to the ship.
Abracadabra, a gift store at 936 Water St., had no visitors from the ship by 6:30 p.m., although “a few people looked through the window,” according to employee Justin Lesser.
Lesser said he wasn’t discouraged and expected the store to stay open on subsequent nights, when more were likely to come in to shop.
Quimper Mercantile normally stays open until 7 p.m. Assistant manager Holly Mayshark reported no additional business.
“This might be a big hubbub over nothing,” she said.
“We didn’t have any expectations and were going to stay open anyway.”
The chamber map centered on downtown but also provided information about uptown and Sims Way, which includes craft beer servers Port Townsend Brewing and the Pourhouse.
No one from the Navy showed up at either location Monday, according to employees.
“It was slower than usual for a Monday night,” said a Pourhouse bartender who identified herself as Sarah P.
“I think a lot of people stayed home because they expected there would be a lot of sailors here.”
The sailors, mostly traveling in small groups, appeared to have a low-key good time and expected to return for at least one more night of liberty.
After joking that life on the ship “is like prison and summer camp mixed together,” Bradley, who was eating at the Public House, said he liked what he had seen of the area.
“I like the hills, the aesthetic and the environment,” said Bradley, who grew up in Dallas.
“I also like this place a lot. You have the music and the bar and a really nice restaurant all in one.”
Dawn Pierson, Main Street administrative assistant, said the organization expects more people over the next few nights.
“But I wish they could see Port Townsend during the day, which is completely different than walking around at night,” she said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
