Captain Watson

20nm ESE of the Fisheries Museum in Lunenburg, NS

Gulp, That was the big swallow I took tonight as the wind increased in speed and the seas increased in size quite rapidly. It was time to take in the tops and I wasn't sure how the crew would deal with the pressure. We clewed up the main and fore top sails and the mates sent the topmen aloft. Ryan and Ben on the fore, Jayme and Luke on the main. Amanda and Mason shared the helm duties as we careened downwind with ever increasing velocity. At one point we dipped the main boom in the water while the crew aloft passed the gaskets to take in the flapping sails. Not to be outdone the crew on the bowsprit clawed in the flying jib and made the lines fast.

Once the crew were on deck we took in the running backstays and tacked the ship around to head toward the coast. We roared off at 10.5 knots with the main occasionally brushing the water and as the mates rigged up the jack line for the night we sent the off watch below to re-live their adventures. I feel I really pushed the crew tonight beyond their previous experience and skill level and they responded very well.

We're now headed in the rough direction of Mahone Bay and the wind is moderating nicely, our little adventure is over. I have a bit more gray hair but in the long run the crew will be better prepared the next time we have a patch of rough weather. The old girl still has legs and tonight she had a chance to kick up her heels!

Have a good night,

Phil Watson
Bluenose II