5/6/08
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The day started with a beautiful morning in Annapolis and raising the sails to sail away from the dock.  As Annapolis fell off in the rearview the Captain and crew ran through drills with us covering the three “scariest” situations a boat may face: man-overboard, fire, and prepare to abandon ship.  Drills went well with constructive criticism from the Captain to follow.  As a truly rookie sailor I didn’t know what to expect but we cruised along under sail and it was pleasantly peaceful.  This boat is beautiful to see working.  The crew is so very receptive to any questions and they are quick to put you to work.  My hands hurt from pulling HARD on the lines.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served up in a timely manner.  Conversation at the table was minimal due to everyone enjoying the tasty morsels.  After lunch was time for a bit of a nap and back up on deck.  We enjoyed the ride for a bit and after trying to put up more sails, the wind fell off and we started up the engines.  Under motor we cruised along keeping the sails tight.  After a delicious dinner, the chief mate took myself and another guest crew aloft to a white knuckle ride in the rigging.  Very cool experience.  Around 8 pm we were told a nap was is in good order before pulling in around Deltaville to anchor.  Although I would have been happy to take part in the anchoring process, my bunk would not release me from its grasp.  I am having an enjoyable time here on a working historic treasure called the Schooner Virginia.
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Adam LaRue
Virginia Beach, VA

I knew it was a terrific trip when the driver to DC at first charged me non-senior fare.  I do seem to have that Schooner Virginia glow even a day after.  Tanned, fed, and toned. 

 

That’s just one leftover from what all came together — crew, boat, weather for the Norfolk-Annapolis run (planned for months).  Even bad weather wouldn’t have spoiled. 

 

Hmmm.  High Points.  As I scratch more tall ship itches each year, Captain Hank came through with lots of great info and sources about all kinds of extra square-rigged points like yardarms, backing, bracing up and belaying after yards, hauling up courses, etc., etc. (on top of schooner lore, of course).  And he promised more if needed. 

 

Then there was the shrouds climbing.  Having voyeured book and film, I had to at least try a trip up — *In steady weather*.  So Wednesday, on a nice benign reach, up I went (chaparoned, I’ll admit) to a few rungs above the double-rung start.  Fantastic!  I could get used to that — the clear breeze, the view, the invincibility, the history of it all.  Camera pics in process but assume they’re outstanding. 

 

Doing a daily jog-type workout on the foredeck has to be one of the more invigorating of life’s chores.  Bay breeze, sunshine, waves slopping, boat moving well.  (I was asked kindly to move forward from my start location as I was on top of sleeping crew below.  Immediately done — they earn it.) 

 

And the other rope-handling and helming gives me an “I was there” feeling as in the tales of the big sail life past.  It’s going to take a longer time at sea to be confident of my sea legs, though from experience they’ll come.  Another passenger suggested it takes time for rhythms to change betwixt shore and sea, and I agree. 

 

Other points were high too.  The food again (my second SV voyage) yummy, the crew professional but empathetic, high-spirited, and helpful. 

 

I’m already massaging schedules for a next trip. 

 

[For those with an interest,

 

William Swanson

Good morning,
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Schooner Virginia got underway from Annapolis in a fine fashion this morning!  The crew and guests woke to a spectacular sunrise and a cool light breeze from the north.  After our normal preparations for getting underway (navigation, safety, communications checks and work on deck), we got underway.  To do this, we set the mainsail and foresail, and then warped the ship out of her berth.  This is a process of hauling on the dockilines to shift the ship out far enough to clear the dock and utilize the sails.  Setting the staysail and jib, we slowly moved out of the harbor at about a knot, spreading more sail as we went.  Clearing the mouth of the harbor, Virginia found her breeze, and took off at around eight knots.  We are currently bound down the Bay and hope to either make Deltaville tonight, or sail through the night, depending on the wind.  We will return to Norfolk tomorrow afternoon.
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Captain Hank Moseley

Sunday, May 4, 2008
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Annapolis has been a nice stop for the ship and the crew.  Their Maritime Festival has been running for about five years now, and slowly growing each year.  We have made a nice addition to the event, and everyone has expressed their appreciation for our presence.  We have been open for deck tours Friday and Saturday.  More than two thousand people have visited the ship during that time.  Yesterday the ship was used as a platform for about thirty town criers who were participating in the festivals competition.  These men and women came to Annapolis from across the States, Canada, and even Bermuda.  Last night the City of Annapolis hosted a reception aboard Virginia for their sister city of Wexford, Ireland.  The weather was beautiful and everyone seemed to enjoy the atmosphere of being on a traditionally rigged ship in this historic harbor.  Tonight, we will board our guests for our next passage, back home to Norfolk.  We plan on leaving early tomorrow morning to catch the tide.
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Captain Hank Moseley