Captain Watson

July 16/09
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Halifax, NS

Good Evening,

I can tell you it's one tired captain writing the log tonight. Now before you jump to conclusions I didn't fish for my supper tonight or have to build my house, or plant my own food, milk the cows or any myriad of jobs that other Nova Scotians do on a daily bases that are 1000 times harder than what I do. My tired is lack of sleep, periods of concentration and endless games of "what if?" that I play in my head when the ship is underway.

Last night after striking sail we roared off towards St Margarets Bay, home of Hubbards, Queensland Beach, Ingramport and French Village to name a few attractions to be found on the fair shores there. As we were approaching I took my light and did one of my semi frequent rig checks and to my horror found one of the outriggers that hold the topmast up had come out of its notch in the end of the spreader. In the pitch of night I sent up the mates to put it back in the notch and relash it. They were very nonchalant about it but I think they did a great job so will brag them up a bit. If you want to imagine what their , "another day in the office" job entailed last night here is my best description, or as best as I can do at this level of wakefulness!

We were sailing along between 7 and 8 knots heeled nicely to starboard. Around us you could see red, white and green flashing lights of Green Island, Peggy's Cove and the out lying shoals marking our safe passage toward the land. The mates climbed 80 odd feet into the pitch black night as the last of the moon began to rise over the land. Once up aloft they had to balance on a five inch wide beam and push this heavy wire back to the end of the spreader. and then reach over and lash it top and bottom. They did both sides just to be safe. They think nothing of it, I think, and you should think they are great at their job and do it in a typically Canadian way.

We had a wonderful trip into the harbour this morning. I really enjoy hearing Halifax traffic and the familiar voices as the ships pass by the checkpoints. We sailed along in company with the British military vessel Largs Bay, Krusenstern, and several smaller schooners. We sailed up the Dartmouth side of the bay under four lower sails and flying jib and main top'sle. Once the Largs Bay was clear we proceeded to our dock where we were greeted by volunteers from the museum and Tall Ships control. I think Halifax generally does a better job of organizing the arrival and departure of the ships than most other ports. They have super volunteers and things are well organized. They represent Nova Scotia very well, from the top ranks to the newest volunteer.

Thats all for tonight

Cap'n Phil