Tickets are now on sale for the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum’s annual fundraising cruise aboard the Virginia V.

Riders can enjoy the panorama of Bainbridge Island’s waterfront as they cruise around the island on the beautifully restored steamship, the last of the “Mosquito Fleet” steamers.

The annual fundraiser for the museum is a festive and informative event. It will feature Dennis Lewarch, the Suquamish Tribe’s archeologist and historic preservation officer, who will talk about the historical relationship between the Suquamish Tribe and Bainbridge Island.

The cruise is 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 20 and will depart from the Bainbridge city dock.

In addition to a delicious box lunch, each passenger will receive an informative guide including a map describing 33 place names the early Suquamish had for special hunting and camping areas on the Island. For example, Battle Point was called “Kaxtyo” in Lushootseed, which means “Stingy village, with stingy leader.”

A second map designates the 30 Bainbridge Mosquito Fleet landings surrounding the Island with a description of each early 1900s settlement. Passengers can often identify these landmarks by looking for pilings that still remain from the old docks.

Organizers also note that watching the 1898 steam engine operate and pulling the steam whistle in the pilot house are always highlights of the cruise.

Tickets are $125 ($100 for members of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum). To reserve tickets, call 206-842-2773 or visit www.bainbridgehistory.org.