Links
Log Entries (2009)
- Sep 09 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
- Sep 08 - At anchor near Port Mouton, NS
- Sep 07 - 50 nm east of Gloucester
- Sep 06 - Gloucester Heritage Center
- Sep 04 - Gloucester Heritage Center
- Sep 02 - On the Canadian - US border
- Sep 01 - 15nm S of Liverpool, NS
- Aug 09 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
- Aug 08 - Chester Harbour, NS
- Aug 07 - Chester Harbour, NS
- Aug 05 - Chester Harbour, NS
- Aug 02 - Mahone Bay Harbour
- Aug 01 - Mahone Bay Harbour
- Jul 31 - Mahone Bay Harbour
- Jul 23 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
- Jul 21 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
- Jul 19 - Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
- Jul 16 - Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
- Jul 15 - 20nm ESE of Lunenburg, NS
- Jul 14 - 70 nm SW of Cape Sable Island
- Jul 13 - 55nm NE of Cape Cod
- Jul 12 - Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard
- Jul 10 - Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard
- Jul 08 - Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard
- Jul 07 - 23 nm SSW of Portland, ME
- Jul 05 - Bath Maritime Museum, ME
- Jul 04 - Sheepscot River, ME
- Jul 03 - 40nm SW of Yarmouth
- Jul 02 - 20nm SE of Liverpool, NS
- Jun 22 - Bishops landing, Halifax
- Jun 11 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
- Jun 07 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
- Apr 18 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
- Apr 02 - Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
Date: Sep 06 2009
Ships Position: (Latitude:42° 38' 14" N - Longtitude:70° 40' 46" W)
Comments: Twenty five years of schooner racing, that is what we have been celebrating here in Gloucester today.
Captain Watson
Gloucester Heritage Center
Good Evening,
Twenty five years of schooner racing, that is what we have been celebrating here in Gloucester today. Twenty five years ago a group of schooner bums got together and raced for fun and friendship never thinking it would lead to anything as big and wonderful as witnessed this weekend.
The captains and mates gathered this morning on the lawn by the harbour masters office. We received instructions for the departure parade (don't hit anything) and for the race (have fun). Lead by the local schooner, Thomas Lannon we left Gloucester harbour as able and set sail in the outer bay. As we all made our pass by the beach where the public was gathered author, Joe Garland, talked about the different schooners over a PA system. Mr Garland has written many books, my favorite being The Great Patillo also known as the Bear of the Sea. It's a great read.
The weather this morning brought the promise of a great day with winds 10-15 knots gusting to 25 and a 2 metre swell. We roared along making an easy 9 knots under the four lowers. Some of our tacks must have been absolutely dramatic as we were down to the cap rail with spray flying everywhere. About halfway through the race the wind died off and we spent a while with the main boom trying to pull the stern off the ship. We set some more sail ( main top, fisherman and flying jib) and carried on. It was a real struggle, what with the scallop dinner Dale the cook had prepared and all. The homemade rum balls for desert were a bit over the top but we suffered through, bravely making the best of it.
Tonight, there was a prize giving ceremony and supper at the local Coast Guard base. Chowder and cold drinks for all. A really great time. Capt John Foss of American Eagle won the race for the eighth time. He did this with a schooner with no top sails and a shorter waterline than most of his competitors. I'm sure this man has forgotten more about schooner sailing than I will ever know.
That's all for tonight,
Best Regards,
Phil Watson
Bluenose II
