Virtual Voyages - Long Voyages

SHIP'S LOG
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Date: All winter
Latitude: New England
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather: Providence Boat Show

Comments:

Our Next Objective is to gather Prizes to offer in our Raffle at the Providence Boat Show. Here is a list of donors so far.
Steve Rossi, diskette of folk songs
Timothy's Restaurant, Gift Certificate
Shelter Harbor Restaurant, Gift Certificate
Waterway Guides, Three volumes of the current guidebook
Shorline Products, "Top of the Line" model truck

Contact Dick Lathrop at 860-442-2704 to donate a prize or buy a ticket.
Thanks

Date: November 10, 2001
Latitude: 42-something
Longitude: 72 something
Bearing: East
Speed: 5-8 knots
Wind Speed: 20 TO 30
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: gusty, sunny and cold

Comments:

This was the last leg of Voyage 2001. It started at Waterfront Park in New London and ended at Mystic Shipyard East on the Mystic River. It took a little over an hour.

I sailed alone, using only the jib. It was very windy. I had to plan it to arrive at the flood tide because the channel into the East branch of the Mystic River is shallow--to shallow for Easy Wind at low tide.

Mystic Shipyard has generously offered to haul, store and relaunch the boat in the spring. Raymond, who attends the yard was on hand to help. Raymond is involved with a program that builds boats at Avery Point, Groton.

Easy Wind will be in a good place this winter.

Date: 10/20/01
Latitude: 42degrees 19.10n
Longitude: 072 DEGREES, 04.76MI
Bearing:
Speed: 6 Knots
Wind Speed: 12-15knots
Wind Direction: west
Weather: very nice for this time of year

Comments:

Our crew from October 6 joined us today on their rain check. Laura (who has entered our discussion zone)sailed in the morning with Michelle, Matthew and Scott. Steve, Jorge, Cary and Jesse took the afternoon trip.

The weather was great. We began with very light wind in the morning--so light that we were able to raise the mainsail at the dock, but as soon as we were out of the river the wind bult to about 14 knots and there was also a moderate chop.

In the afternoon the wind was even stronger. We had to roll up part of the jib almost as soon as we unfurlled it. Squeezy Wind got loose from her painter as we were letting her out. (My fault!) and we had to sail back and snag her with the boathook. Thanks, Steve.

All the new sailors learned to steer a steady course, handle the sails during a tack, and find our location on a nautical chart.

Great fun.

Capt.L.

Date: 10-11-01
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed: 6 Knots
Wind Speed: 12-15knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: Beautiful!

Comments:

Robert, Tureen, Lenny and Jose sailed this afternoon with Officer Anthony Nolan of the New London Police Department.

These boys are learning about sailing because of their leadership qualities and, eventually, they will bring sailing lessons to other kids their age.

They worked together to launch the dinghy and raise the main sail. Then we worked on sailing upwind as we tacked down the river. Tureen and Jose both learned to read the telltales and adjust the boat’s course accordingly.

As we approached the mouth of the Thames the wind built and we rolled up about half the jib. We also practiced tacking—especially jib handling. It is difficult to get the jib in tight, then hold the tension while cleating the line.

The boys worked hard to accomplish this.

We got a quick glimpse at Ocean Beach, then started back. Now we were sailing downwind and it was far more relaxing. Officer Nolan took the wheel for a while and we winged the jib. He managed to keep both sail full.

As we approached the dock everyone worked together again to get the sails on, furl the mainsail and put on the sail cover. Once we got back to the dock, everything got put away.

See you guys next week. By the way, what’s railmeat?

Captain L

Date: 10-10-01
Latitude: 41 degrees N.
Longitude: 072 Degrees West
Bearing: various
Speed: 6 Knots
Wind Speed: 12-15knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: COOL BUT SUNNY

Comments:

Howard and “Z” have joined veteran voyagers Charlotte, Russell and Jason on today’s trip. You can read about these veterans in last Tuesday’s log and see their contributions in the Discussion Zone.

Today’s exercise involved learning more about Latitude and Longitude and how to plot points on a chart. Here is what we did:

DJ, Mr. David, and a couple of others in the Outdoor Leadership program stayed on shore with a chart. At 20-minute intervals, we phoned in our position from the boat. We also reported our speed and bearing and the depth of the water. The on shore team made note of where we were, then they made predictions as to where we would be at the next call.

Ms. Kelly also came along and she took a lot of pictures. The crew also learned the meaning of the term “rail meat”. If you want to know what it is, visit our discussion zone.

Note to the crew: Please explain “Rail Meat” in a discussion zone entry and I’ll post it ASAP.

Captain L.

Date: 10/06/01
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather: too windy to sail, rain, too, on and off

Comments:

We had to cancel the morning and afternoon sails today because of the high winds. Matthew and Laura did spend about an hour on the boat this morning along with Scott and Michelle. They learned a few useful knots which they will practice tying between now and Saturday October 20 when we plan another sail.

In the afternoon we had the same scene with Jesse and Jorge and Cory and Steve. We also fired up the GPS.

By the afternoon the strong sotherly wind han clocked around to the West, then Northwest so it was a little more calm at the dock.

Check out our sailing skills pages for these knots: figure 8, square knot, and bowline.

Date: 10/04/01
Latitude: 41 degrees N.
Longitude: 72 degrees W.
Bearing:
Speed: 4 KNOTS
Wind Speed: 5 KNOTS
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: Beautiful!

Comments:

Anthony Nolan (NLPD) showed up today at the dock with 4 kids from a youth program he heads up in New London--HYPE. We went for a two-hour sail in New London Harbor.

These kids worked very well as a team and learned about sailing fast. The had each been out on boats before, but under very different circumstances. They very quickly learned how to steer, how to handle the jib during tacks and how to read a nautical chart.

Besides that, they asked great questions.

If you are visiting the ships log for the first time, please go back to the last entry and then go to the discussion zone to see what Russell had to say about sailing.

Date: 10/02/01 1700hours
Latitude: 41 degrees N.
Longitude: 072 Degrees West
Bearing: 210 MAGNETIS
Speed: 4 KNOTS
Wind Speed: 5 KNOTS
Wind Direction: west
Weather: Warm and Sunny

Comments:

Mr. David from ISAAC school arrived at the dock at about 1615 hours today with a crew of six students: DJ, Russell, Jason, Marcus, Charlotte, and Henry. They have been studying charts and navigation in their classrooms.

The ISAAC students got along really well with one another and were a great help aboard the boat. Splitting up in teams of two, they removed the sail cover, launched SQUEEZY WIND, and raised the mainsail with no conflicts among themselves and minimal instruction from Mr. David or Captain Lathrop.

We got under way at about 1630 hours. DJ was the first student on the wheel and quickly learned to hold a straight course. After six guesses (everyone participated) as to the number which would appear on the green can buoy he was aiming for we could see that it was “11” and we could find it on the chart. This led to the discovery that all green buoys have odd numbers and red ones have even numbers.

We also noted on the depth sounder that we were now in the channel. Readings of 39 and 40 feet replaced the 13 to 15 foot readings we were getting previously.

Russell knows his knots and has agreed to teach everyone else the square knot and the bowline before next week’s sail. All the kids steered and caught on fast to keeping the boat on a steady course.

They brought out compasses which they had been using in the classroom and compared the hand-held needle compass to the ship’s compass on EASY WIND.
The compasses did not agree, exactly, and we speculated on what could account for the few degrees of difference between them.

We tested our eyesight by seeing who would be first to read the word “PILOT” on the white cabin of the blue boat that was coming toward us up the channel. Why would a boat say “Pilot” on it? (Submit your answers on the Discussion Zone pages)

We tacked, great teamwork again, and headed back. But not without seeing the magnificent square-rigger “Eagle” anchored off New London Light.

The ISAAC students have promised to visit our discussion zone. Go there to see what they have to say (and, perhaps, learn the secret to their excellent teamwork). I’m sure they will be sailing again soon.

Captain L.

Date: 09/30/01 1100 hours
Latitude: 41degrees, 14.8 minu
Longitude: 072 degrees, 18.8 mi
Bearing: 90 magnetic
Speed: 5 knots
Wind Speed: 25-30 Knots
Wind Direction: Northeast
Weather: Cloudy, occasional light rain

Comments:

We are returning to New London from Hamburg Cove on the Connecticut River. After listening to the weather reports last night and this morning, we decided to start the passage back to New London at about 1000 hours. The weather is not improving but we will have the help of the east-flowing current in Long Island Sound at that time.

While still on the mooring we put the dinghy on deck and raise the mainsail and reef it ---using the highest set of reef points to give us the smallest possible sail area.

Since the wind is from the Northeast, and we are headed east, our point of sail is close hauled or “pointing” —the most challenging point of sail under these conditions. If we sail too much toward the source of the wind, the boat will stop, but if we sail away from the source too much the boat will heel over drastically and become very difficult to steer. We adjust the jib, leaving only about 30% of it unfurled--enough to keep the boat moving well and “in the groove”. We are lucky in one respect: our course to the Bartlett’s reef channel marker—our next way point, 8 nautical miles ahead—is exactly what we are sailing on our close hauled port tack. This means we don’t have to change tacks (come about)for the next two hours. Tucker, (see yesterday’s log entry) who is lying on the cockpit floor, is happy about that.

Captain Lathrop

Date: 09/29/01 1400 hours
Latitude: 41degrees 15.5 min
Longitude: 072 degrees 08.3 min
Bearing: 270 magnetic
Speed: 6 TO 8 KNOTS!
Wind Speed: 20-25 Knots
Wind Direction: Northeast
Weather: High clouds, very windy

Comments:

Sally, Nancy, Tucker and I are sailing from New London to Hamburg Cove on the Connecticut River. Tucker is Sally’s Brittany Spaniel. It’s his first long trip in a sailboat.

We had planned to go to Greenport, or possibly Block Island, but the forecast is so bad (40 knot winds in Block Island Sound) that we opt to stay in Long Island Sound and sail along the Connecticut shore.

The wind is very strong and we are proceeding under jib alone, and our jib us partially rolled up much of the time.

Since the wind is from the Northeast, and we are headed west, our point of sail is a broad reach—the easiest way to head under these conditions. We wonder about our return trip (see tomorrow’s log entry) since we will have to sail close hauled. Maybe the wind will shift or ease up a bit.

We have set up the boat with jack lines; straps made of webbing that run the full length of the boat along the deck on each side. If we need to go forward we will wear a safety harness and clip ourselves on to a jack line. Then, if we should fall overboard, we will be attached to the boat. The only one to be clipped in while in the cockpit, however is Tucker. He seems a little nervous, but he is adjusting well.

Squeezy Wind, our West Marine inflatable dinghy is trailing along behind on a long painter. The waves are very big (4 feet high, we estimate) and occasionally Squeezy Wind catches a wave and comes planing up behind us on our port side. She would go right by us if the painter didn’t fetch her up short and spin her around. Tomorrow, if it’s this windy, we’ll carry the dinghy on our cabin top to avoid possible problems.

On our VHF radio, which we keep tuned to Channel 16, we hear conversations between ships in distress and the Coast Guard. One ship is 200 yards of shore somewhere and taking on water. A coast guard boat and a helicopter are responding to the call. We can only hear the Coast Guard’s side of the conversation most of the time. A calm woman’s voice keeps asking “do you have a GPS on board?” and “ Can you give us the coordinates of your location?” and “Has everyone on board put on a life jacket?”

Another report comes in of a boat that lost her mast East of Fishers Island. We decide to roll up the jib a little more.

Captain Lathrop

Date: 09/25/01
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed: 5 knots
Wind Speed: 10-18
Wind Direction: SOUTH
Weather: high clouds, hazy, partial clearing

Comments:

Russell, Peter, Paul and I are out on Long Island Sound for a 4-hour sail. The lesson we learned today is this: Even though the weather forecast didn’t mention rain, it was raining on Long Island Sound and the immediate New London coastline just before we left. I thought we were in for a soaking (if we sailed) and phoned Peter to suggest postponing it.

But we decided to at least meet at the boat and decide then. Driving up river to the boat, the rain stopped just about one mile in from the Sound. The roads were dry. It had not rained there at all. We climbed aboard Easy Wind at about 0900 hours and returned to the dock at 1300 hours. We had a great sail with no rain. The sun even came out (although it was quite hazy).

We began sailing south tacking out of the Thames River. Then we took a long port tack to the West, more or less toward Orient Point. After that we went back on starboard tack which brought us east and south, toward the Race and the Western End of Fishers Island. As the wind built to over 15 knots we furled up about half of the jib.

We tacked into West Harbor up to nun #10, then turned around and reached out, circling North and South Dumpling and Flat Hammock as we went. Russ had lots of stories to tell us about the Dumplings and Flat Hammock.

We ran home from Seaflower Reef, arriving at our Waterfront Park berth at about 1300 hours.

Date: 09/03/01
Latitude: 41DEGREES 16M 51S n
Longitude: 072DEGREES 00M 26Sw
Bearing: NA
Speed: 0
Wind Speed: 12-15knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: Beautiful!

Comments:

Riding at anchor just east of Flat Hammock off Fishers Island's northern shoreline. Heather (see previous log entries) and her cousin Flea have taken Squeezy Wind ashore for a swim and lunch and adventure amoung the other visitors to Flat Hammock. I have remained aboard in case the anchor starts dragging. (which happened the last time we anchored in this popular spot)

Fishers Island Sound is full of boats of all descriptions, most of them sailboats and some of them are racing.

It took us a while to get out here because we had to tack upwind all the way. Going back, however, will be quick and easy.

Heather put in 5+1/2 days as mate aboard Easy Wind so she is on her "thank you" cruise--5+1/2 hours with any friend she chooses to take. She chose Flea.

Flea steered most of the way back and I trimmed the sails. She is very good at the wheel, keeping a straight course and we passed several other sailboats. Heather took over when we got in the river. She also sailed well, keeping the winged jib full as we ghosted downwind.

Happy Labor Day to all. we had a great sail

Date: Wed. 8/ 29
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing: 281 magnetic
Speed: 6 Knots
Wind Speed: 10 knots
Wind Direction: North
Weather: nice

Comments:

(Note error in previous log entry. Monday should have been 8/27, (not 8/28) and the last (undated) entry is Tuesday, 8/28)

Today's entry is 8/29/01 which is Wednesday.

We got up at dawn, made coffee and started our journey back to New London. We would have to wait until the afternoon for a fair current back, so we decided to sail outside of Fishers Island and punch in through The Race to get back in the early afternoon. This gives us a minimum amount of time fighting strong adverse current.

We are sailing closehauled in a northwesterly breeze and we keep the engine going even after we have raised the sails. Motorsailing at about 6 knots we can just lay Race Rock, and Peter does a great job keeping the boat in the starboard tack groove as we head home. About half way to The Race our engine runs out of gas and we are solely under sail for about 20 minutes as we refuel from one of the 6 gallon gerry cans we keep on board.

Sailing without the engine is serene, but slow, and we decide to fire up the engine again because of our time constraints.

Outside of Fishers Island you get the feeling of being in the open ocean. We encounter a couple of tugs with their tows strung out behind. The weather is almost ideal.

Ed takes the wheel shortly before we enter The Race and we punch through with no trouble on Starboard tack. We cannot lay New London, however, and we tack a couple of time progressing toward New London Ledge Light, our next waypoint.

At about noon the north wind dies completely in a lull that often occurs before the southwesterly sea breeze fills in. We lower the jib and motor directly toward our destination.

We reach New London’s new Waterfront Park just around 1300hours (1PM). The trip home took 5 ½ hours.

Ed and Peter head back to Kingston, NY after we get the boat squared away. Great trip!

Date:
Latitude:
Longitude: Block Island--
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather:

Comments:

Champlin’s Marina, Hotel, Resort and Tennis Club is on Great Salt Pond near the town moorings.

After one peaceful night on the mooring, we decided to spend a night at the dock so that we could take showers and fill the boat’s water tank with fresh water.

Champlin’s offers all sorts of great activities including a swimming pool and “bumper boats”. These are huge inner tubes powered by outboard motors mounted in the center. You sit there and drive and bump into others in the same area. As I approached the dinghy dock in Squeezy Wind, I had a great temptation to become an extra bumper boat (but I restrained myself).

The people who run Champlin’s are very nice. They waived our docking fee because Virtual Voyages; Inc. is a non-profit corporation. Their web site is www.champlinsresort.com.

We spent the day fixing the transmission linkage and talking with people in other boats. Andy and Lexy needed a ride to the outboard motor repair ship, so we ferried them down there in Squeezy Wind. Lexy is 8 and sails an Optimist at Stamford Yacht Club. Andy (her father) volunteers one day each week at Mystic Seaport.

Late in the afternoon we went for a swim in Great Salt Pond, then in the pool. We also saw tons of fish chasing minnows around under the docks.

Date: 08-28-01 -1300 hours
Latitude: 41 degrees 11.5 N
Longitude: 071 degrees 35.2W
Bearing: n/a
Speed: 0 knots
Wind Speed: 20 KNOTS
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: fine

Comments:

We are at a town mooring in Block Island's Great Salt Pond.

We made the trip in record time--4 hours.

Thanks to our handy GPS, we sailed straight from Watch Hill to the entrance buoy of Great Salt Pond. About one mile from the island we furled up the jib about half way because the wind was so strong.

It made the boat heel less and made steering a little easier, but it didn't slow us down at all.

The only time we used the motor on this entire passage was when we left the mooring in New London and when we picked up the mooring here at Block Island.

Soon we will go ashore in Squeezy Wind (our inflatable dinghy) and explore the island.

Date: Monday, August 28, 2
Latitude: 41degrees, 18.17N
Longitude: 071 degrees, 58.37 W
Bearing: 90 degrees true
Speed: 6 Knots
Wind Speed: 12 knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: Clear, Sunny, 75 degrees

Comments:

We are making the passage from New London, Connecticut to Block Island, Rhode Island. Leaving New London at about 0745, we are sailing with a fair breeze and fair current out through Fisher’s Island Sound.

Easy Wind is racing along under mainsail and full jib. On board are Peter and Ed (along with skipper, Dick Lathrop). Peter and Ed serve as board members and advisors to the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, NY—an organization that has accommodated our program’s trip up the Hudson for the past two years.

We are keeping to the main passage off Watch Hill rather than attempting the numerous smaller (but more difficult) channels around the Eastern end of Fishers Island.

Looks like we will be reaching Block Island in record time.

Date: 07/24/01
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed: 5.6 knots
Wind Speed: 10 to 12 knots
Wind Direction: West Southwest
Weather: perfect summer's day

Comments:

Heather and I met Jillian, Jocelyan, Jane, Kevin and Dustin (along with Rosalie, their teacher) at Waterfront Park this morning--1000 hours.

We took a two-hour trip during which each sailor steered the boat and teamed up with a partner to handle the sheets when we tacked. The learning curve was very steep and by 1100 hours we were tacking like a cup defender.

Heather and I used the afternoon to make some repairs and charge the batteries.

Date: July 22
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather: a real summer's day

Comments:

We are still sailing with programs in New London.

One voyager, Linda, is in Sweeden and has entered our discussion zone with information about current day seafaring in that country.

Check it out!

Date: 7/9/01
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed: less than 10 knots
Wind Direction: SOUTH
Weather: Beautiful!

Comments:

today's voyage (2 hours on the Thames and in Long Island Sound) was first-mate Heather's first voyage with students on board. The students were Jaun, Bethany and Franchesca.

we all had a great time learning about sailing, about sea birds, and barnacles. Franchesca is particularly in barnacles and we are looking for ways for her to learn more about them.

All the students steered the boat and helped handle the sails.

And they all really liked Heather who taught them special things such as how to read a chart and identify certain aids to navigation.

Date: July 7, 2001
Latitude: Marblehead, MA
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather: Sunny and warm

Comments:

Today we delivered some of the crew of Xapsima (pronounced "Charasima" to Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead. Tomorrow morning they start the race to Halifax Nova Scotia.

Boston Yacht Club was a very busy place today, but they handled all the comings and goings with great ease and efficiency. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.

Marblehead Harbor is full of boats, many of them here for the race. A fair number were flying Canadian Flags. This means that they sailed down from Canada to take part in the race. They will be racing home.

Date: July 8, 2001
Latitude: same
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather: same

Comments:

Easy Wind had a new 1st Mate on board today. Her name is Heather and she is entering Grade 8. For every day Heather helps out aboard the boat she gets an hour of sailing with her friends at the end of the season. A good deal all around.

We moved the boat from her berth at Waterfront Park to a mooring on the Thames.

Heather cleaned the stantions with rust remover and cleaned the waterline with soft scrub. She is an excellent hand to have aboard. Not only is she a hard worker, but she knows about boats and she can fit in to many tiny places on board where I don't fit.

Tomorrow: Marlehead, MA.

Next Week: Halifax

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR DISCUSSION ZONE. CHOOSE "Seafaring People and their Boats" and help us discuss the sister cities: Boston and Halifax

Date: July 5, 2001
Latitude: New London, CT
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed: 10 knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: Beautiful!

Comments:

The way things are shaping up, Easy Wind will be at Waterfront Park in New London for most of the summer.

Today we sailed (for the second time) with four students from BP Learned Mission: Dan, Dimitri, Raki and Moni. We went out of the Thames River into Long Island Sound and practiced tacking upwind. The crew teamed up in twos to handle the jib sheets.

Returned under power (the wind died) and I noteced how much they had improved in their ability to hold a steady course at the wheel. Dan was especially helpful in raising and lowering the Mainsail and they all pitched in to get the sail cover on.

Back at the dock we practiced knots. All could master the figure 8, square knot, and clove hitch. Tomorrow we'll work more on the bowline.

Date: July 5, 2001
Latitude: New London, CT
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed: 10 knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: Beautiful!

Comments:

Date: 6/21/01
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather:

Comments:

Visit Easy Wind at her berth at the new Waterfront Park in New London Connecticut.

She will be there for the next several weeks, possibly longer.

To schedule a sail aboard Easy Wind call our New London office: (860) 442-2704 and leave a message for CAPTAIN RICHARD LATHROP.

or contact us by email: dicklathrop@prodigy.net

Date: June 1, 2001
Latitude: Waterford, CT
Longitude: Waterford, CT
Bearing: n/a
Speed: n/a
Wind Speed: n/a
Wind Direction: n/a
Weather: Sunny (turning cloudy)

Comments:

Today Virtual Voyages, Inc. will be an exhibitor at the Boater's World Boat Show at the Waterford, Connecticut store.

Drop in and say "hello".

Easy Wind is still "on the hard" at Mystic Boatyard.

Scheduled launch: Wednesday.

Date: May 11, 2001
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather: Beautiful!

Comments:

Easy Wind is "on the hard" (hauled out of the water)at West Mystic Shipyard awaiting the installation of a new cutlas bearing. This supports the propeller shaft. We noticed that the old one was loose while we were painting the bottom.

Voyage 2001 now looks as though it will begin sailing with students from New London, CT on June 1. We will have two other boats in our fleet at that point. I spoke with the owner of one of them today.

The boat is a beautiful 60-foot ketch named Delphus. We are also planning to bring Delphus to Martha's Vineyard and, perhaps, Nantucket.

Tune in tomorrow.

Date: 4-29-01
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather: spring-like day

Comments:

Today, I visited the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, NY. I was not aboard Easy Wind this time, (she is still in a yard in Mystic, CT) But I was on a barge, tied up at Fulton Ferry Landing, Just south of the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn shore.

The event was a birthday party for a 70-year-old "seafaren' guy" and a bunch of his salty friends were there. We enjoyed some beautiful music and watched the water flow under one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

Olga, the barge's owner and year-round inhabitant told us to honor individuals in life and look for talented young people to support. She does this by offering her barge as a stage for young musical talent. It is one of the most outstanding places in New York to enjoy excellent music and great company. It is a wonderful setting.

Happy Birthday Len. Thank you Olga. Hi to the many fine folk I met there on the East River. Join our voyage.

More on Voyage 2001 tomorrow.

Date: 04/18/01
Latitude: 41degrees 20" 49' No
Longitude: 070Degrees 57" 53'W
Bearing: 270 magnetic
Speed: 4 KNOTS
Wind Speed: 35 k
Wind Direction: North
Weather: Cold, spitting snow, very windy

Comments:

Today we made the second passage of the season. Conditions were miserable and I am happy that the passage was only 1.175 nautical miles long. We left Mystic Cove and crossed to the other side of the Mystic River to the Mystic Shipyard Marina where Easy Wind will soon be hauled out of the water (for just a few days).

Jeffrey Lathrop accompanied me on the voyage. He was also my crew on the passage from Nova Scotia to Maine. The wind we had in the Mystic River today was just as strong as the strongest gust on that passage--maybe stronger. And it was much colder today.

Easy Wind was under power the entire way this time, but she heeled over anyway as we neared the middle of the river where the North wind had the greatest fetch.

Many thanks to Jeff Marshall of the Mystic Shipyard Marina for helping us get Easy Wind ready for Voyage 2001.

Date: 04-14-01
Latitude: WHOOPS!
Longitude: SEE COMMENTS BELOW
Bearing:
Speed:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction:
Weather:

Comments:

WHOOPS! I made a mistake in the date when I wrote today's log entry.
So the entry just below this one: dated 04/05/01, is really today's entry (04/15/01).
Sorry about the mixup. (i pushed the "send" button before proofreading carefully)
Now it's really Happy Easter. The bunny has already visited our office!

Date: 04/05/01
Latitude: 41degrees, 18" 51' N
Longitude: 071dtgrees 59" 17'W
Bearing: North
Speed: 4 KNOTS
Wind Speed: 20 KNOTS
Wind Direction: nORTH
Weather: SUNNY, BREEZY

Comments:

We are entering Mystic Harbor on our first short passage of the year. Tom and I are sailing the boat from New London's Thamesport Marina to Mystic Shipyard's (formerly Mystic Cove) facility. Easy Wind will be hauled out of the water for the first time in two years and we will clean and paint the bottom.

The lessons about knots flashed through my mind while untying the dock lines that had held her through several violent winter storms. One was a bowline, the other a buntline hitch. The bowline was jammed tight, but I was able to loosen it. I didn't have the same success with the buntline hitch, however. I left the line on the dock for a time when I can return with the proper tools and get it untied.

It was great to be sailing again and the breeze pushed us right over to Mystic exactly on schedule. We were trying to hit high tide in Mystic to be sure we had enough water to get in to the marina. Even though the tide was rising during the entire trip, The current, especially in the Thames was running out of the river! What's going on here? Doesn't the current flow upriver when the tide is rising?

If you have an idea about this, add it to the discussion zone. Use the Guest Book section for now.

Happy Easter.

Date: 04/04/01
Latitude:
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Speed:
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Weather: High clouds and a little cool

Comments:

Spent the day aboard the Eagle, America's Tall Ship. She was tied to the pier at Ft. Trumble, on the Thames River in New London, CT.
I was there with about 70 other members of an organization called ASTA (American Sail Training Association) and we discussed education aboard tall ships.

One of the most striking aspects of the meeting was the welcome given to the City of New London by this group. Not only was the Eagle opened for our use, but Ft. Trumble was also featured, along with the current attitude of welcome for tall ships in the harbor.

I learned of many maritime events taking place in this region of the coast over the following six months.

Date: 04/06/01
Latitude: same
Longitude: same
Bearing: same
Speed: same
Wind Speed: less than 5 knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: overcast--in the 50's

Comments:

Received an email from Port Jefferson requesting some involvement with a project under way there. Read Cathy's request below:

Hi Everyone,
I have had inquiries about the Harbor Guide for Port Jefferson and some fourth grade students are eager to get started with their research. Would you be interested in helping to guide some of the students with their research through e-mail?

I'd like to set up an e-mail list of resource people to whom I will forward questions as they come to the LISEC website.

Please let me know the component of the harbor that you would feel most comfortable assisting with: geology, flora, fauna, recreation, water quality, maritime history, or economic activity.

I plan to begin ASAP.

If you forward me a copy as you respond then I will be able to establish a database of Frequently Asked Questions which could then be posted on our site.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining this experience please let me know or give them my e-mail address.
Thanks,
Cathy Van Ostrand
631-331-6516

Date: 03-03-01
Latitude: SAME
Longitude: SAME
Bearing: n/a
Speed: n/a
Wind Speed: 10 to 12 knots
Wind Direction: Southwest
Weather: Pafrtly Cloudy and cool

Comments:

Here in New London the weather is almost springlike. I visited Easy Wind at her berth at Thamesport Marina today.
Used the hand bilge pump to remove two buckets ofwater from her bilge, this is rainwater that had leaked in through the decks and cabin top.
Started the engine and ran it for a few minutes to charge the batteries.
The automatic bilge pump (located in the engine compartment) is working fine.
Soon I will have Easy Wind hauled and clean and paint the bottom. She has been in the water for almost two solid years.

Date: 04/02/01
Latitude: 41DEGREES, 18.95MINU
Longitude: 72 DEGREES, O5.57MIN
Bearing: N/A
Speed: n/a
Wind Speed: less than 5 knots
Wind Direction: NORTH
Weather: overcast, in the low 50's

Comments:

We are still in New London, Connecticut. The longitude and latitude readings are from the GPS which I took outdoors in front of my office to check out it's operation. If you look on a chart or map that gives longitude and latitude you may be able to pinpoint exactly where this office is located.

Out in the sound the research/education boat from project O has been collecting samples from the bottom and measuring characteristics of the water. They make readings of termperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. They also drag a trawl and sample life on the bottom. Interesting specimens down there.

The skipper send me a copy of his log entry every couple of days. They also get out to see seals this time of year. The seals climb out on certain rocks at low tide.

Date: April 1, 2001
Latitude:
Longitude:
Bearing:
Speed: 0knots
Wind Speed: 5-10 knots
Wind Direction: northwest
Weather: cloudy, in the 40's F.

Comments:

This is the first log entry for Voyage 2001. It's April 1st, but this doesn't happen to be an April Fool's Day message because we're trying to make sure our new web site is entirely up and running. The ship's log entries are the final step.

Easy Wind is docked at Thamesport Marina in New London and I am writing this from our New London office. I got the wind direction from the weathervane next door and the wind speed from how things look on Long Island Spound--which I can see from my office window.

I'm inviting anyone and eveyone who reads this log entry to reply on our discussion zone, or just say "helo" by email: dicklathrop@prodigy.net

I intend to keep the log updated every day or so, even though I expect it will be a while yet before Easy Wind actuall gets under way on Voyage 2001.

happy spring!
Captain Lathrop
s/v Easy Wind

Date: 2/17/2001
Latitude:
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Comments:

We are currently docked in New London, preparing for the 2001 voyage!

On her third annual voyage to New London—arriving early May 2001—the sloop Easy Wind will receive financial assistance from The New London Water Authority. NLWA’s Community Fund committee, which includes representation from the City Council, announced a grant of $3500 to Virtual Voyages, Inc., the non-profit organization that operates Easy Wind.

Richard T. Lathrop, Jr., President and founder of Virtual Voyages, Inc. (and New London native) starts the annual voyage in Boston and visits major port cities in Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada. His objective is to offer maritime experiences to children living in these cities—especially those children whose access to the water may be limited by economic status or ethnic background. “In a city such as New London, whose history and economy and culture is so deeply influenced by its seaport geography, it is particularly important for local kids to have positive experiences with the water and to develop, based on that experience, a deeper grasp of how the sea has shaped us as a people”, Lathrop said. “As New London revitalizes its waterfront and revisits its maritime heritage, every citizen of the city should have the opportunity to take part in this exciting and educational transformation.”

To enrich and extend the experience of sailing the boat—an experience that will be available to about 50 students during Easy Wind’s visit—students will be asked to prepare school-related projects that link their academic subjects to the sea, and to put these projects on exhibit at some central location while the boat is in port.

By means of the web site: www.virtualvoyages.net, these projects and the New London segment of this voyage can be shared with other students in other port cities. Interaction between students from various ports is encouraged through a “discussion zone” on the web site. Furthermore, a delegation of five students and a teacher will arrive in New London from Easy Wind’s previous port-of-call (probably Newport) and a delegation of five New London students and a teacher will make the passage to the next port city (probably New Haven).

Captain Lathrop invites teachers, after-school groups, and parents who would like to have their youngsters involved in this project to contact him through the web site or by phone: (860) 442-2704 fax (240) 536-8160.

The program is free to any student or school that takes part. However, additional funding is needed and will be sought from foundations, corporations, and individuals. One corporate sponsor, Boater’s World has additional information about Voyage 2001 available at their Waterford, CT store.

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