tall ship diaries, charleston sc news
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In the Port City of Charleston, South Carolina, each year we wait for the Tall Ships to return. It's a grand event. The entire Community is invited to take free "Tall Ship Classes" at the Maritime Center, and participate in the event as Volunteers. Learn more about it and read the story from Island Eye News."Tall Ship Diaries" A tale of modern day adventure by Heather Holbrook.TRANSCRIPT
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Tall Ship Diaries: Part one - Charleston Harbor Fest, SC
by Heather Holbrook | Republished from my friends at Lucky Dog Publishing | Read the rest of the story at The Island Eye News
Downtown the harbor was awash with activity May 16-18, when Charleston Harbor Fest
took place.
From pirates on parade at Ansonborough Field to the ongoing action on both sides of the harbor, there
was something for everyone. And their press release said Harbor Fest wasn't just for viewers. Anyone
so inclined could join in.
My husband and I took our sons ages 3 and 7 on the water taxi from
Patriot's Point to downtown for a full slate of viewer or doer-friendly
activities and exhibitions in and around the Charleston Maritime Center.
Down on the docks, we could choose from treasure hunts, pirate parades,
or watch the building of a traditional 12-foot Charleston bateau. We
decided to tour the traditional tall ships- the Spirit of South Carolina,
Schooner Virginia, the Corwith Cramer and Amistad, all very striking
against the bustle of the crowds.
But my favorite was Virginia. A replica of the original pilot schooner
that sailed the Chesapeake Bay in 1917, she was the 5th ocean-keeping
vessel owned by the Virginia Pilot Association. She was also the 4th
wooden schooner and the 3rd and last pilot ship built expressly for the
pilots. This was only the 2nd tall ship I had ever stepped foot on and I learned that in 2007 she placed
1st in The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race with a time of 11 hours, 18 minutes and 53 seconds.
A tall ship is not a strictly defined type of sailing vessel. Most of the
time the term is used to mean a large traditionally rigged sailing vessel,
whether or not it is technically a "ship".
A tall ship can be a schooner, barque, brigantine, barquentine, brig, ketch,
sloop, or a full-rigged ship depending on the number of masts and the cut
of her sails. But this particular foot wooden beauty is the world's only
example in existence of the last pilot schooner that sailed on the Chesapeake Bay more than 80 years
ago. The original Virginia was used on the Chesapeake to provide navigation services to ship traffic
entering and leaving the Bay. This service was vital to the safe transit of shipping.
The tall ship was the last sailing pilot schooner on the Chesapeake Bay and serviced the Virginia Pilot
Association from 1917 until 1926 as a station vessel off the Virginia Capes. Quite a history.
It's Saturday and strolling along her deck I see a little placard that reads Reserve Your Bunk Now.
Guest Crew opportunity available. Remember, this is not a cruise vessel! This opportunity is
offered by the non-profit Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation to work alongside the crew of the
Virginia, the Common-wealth's Goodwill Ambassador. She depends on contributions from corporations
and individuals as well as honorary crew memberships, souvenir sales, charter and guest fees to
continue her mission around the globe.
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Suddenly it is Sunday at 2:00pm and I have decided to take Schooner Virginia up on her offer and
become a Guest Crewman. The fee of $600 gets me room and board and three meals a day with an
adventure of a lifetime thrown in for free.
My little family waved goodbye Sunday evening as I boarded Virginia moored at the docks
at the Maritime Center. She looked different now in the fading light, with the crowds gone. I was
met first by a deckhand named Tracy, a wiry and very tan young man who showed me the highlights
of the ship like what not to touch, how to flush the head and that we were to sail at first light.
I was shown to my bunk and immediately pored over the provided guidelines to help me learn about
the routines aboard the schooner and the different parts of the ship. My upper bunk was a snug space
with a curtain and a porthole. On it I was to stow my duffel and keep my curtain drawn so as to
maintain the main saloon's tidy appearance. I learned that other Guest Crew would be sailing, too:
Rosie Brooks, Samantha Main and Shane Kersting, all from South Carolina.
Under the benches in the main saloon, there was a library of nautical books and I thumbed through the
nearest one to me. The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor by Darcy Lever. Page 68 caught my attention
as it was all about anchors. I like the shape of true anchors, the kind you see on tattooed arms. They
are heavy and beautiful and essential to any boat. The curious terminology gave me pause and made
me a little hungry: "Puddening the Rings: The rings of the anchors are well parceled with tarred
canvas, and then wrapped round with twice-laid stuff, which is called Puddening the Anchors..."
As the sun set, a crew member on neighboring ship Amistad put her violin to her chin and
played scales and a few quiet tunes. I went above as the sky over Charleston was well past sunset
but not yet dark to have a look at Virginia's anchor. Lashed near the bow I see two 500 lb anchors and
photograph them. Standing on deck with the gentle rock of the boat, I think about the things that
anchor us in life- our identities, families, responsibilities. Maybe our faith, our fears, our faults. Back in
my bunk it occurs to me as I turn out the light and gaze out my porthole and try to imagine my journey
ahead under the promise of a full moon. I am instantly at home with her creaks and her swells. Falling
asleep, I embark upon an adventure of a lifetime...
==========================================
In the Port City of Charleston, South Carolina, each year we wait for the
Tall Ships to return. It's a grand event. The entire Community is invited to
take free "Tall Ship Classes" at the Maritime Center, and participate in the
event as Volunteers.
My husband and I did just that last year and it was an experience we will
never forget.
Tall Ships, and all their mystery, dock all over the world offer an
experience of a lifetime for those who can participate.
Just as above, if you ever get the notion, $600.00 is not that much to go on
a sailing adventure you'll never forget. The proceeds go to keep the
educational programs alive.
Sailing Education teaches our youth about Teamwork, Respect, Trust, Hard Work and
Camaraderie. Plus, the love of the Sea is infectious! – Laurel LaFlamme
Read more about the Charleston Harbor Fest
http://www.charlestonmaritimefestival.com/