Dec.16, 2009 2000hrs
34° 43.3’ N
076° 41.9’ W
Morehead City, NC
By Keith Barkwood

     We sailed 1290 miles from St. Thomas to Morehead City, NC.  During that time we changed two seasons in a week.  All those layers we shed so few short weeks ago are once again finding their way onto deck.  No one aboard the schooner can say we didn’t have a grand adventure.  What began as a quick jaunt through the Bahamas to Florida kept veering north, port by port.  Fernandina Beach turned into Jacksonville, then Charleston.  At one point we thought we were going to attempt rounding Cape Hatteras for Norfolk, but the leviathan took care of that.
     So there we were, motor-sailing on one engine, making a good 6 knots when the beast struck.  It came at us slowly and gradually in the dark of night, grasping us with its massive tentacles yet doing it so gently that we were caught completely unaware.  The only indication of the assault was a reduction in speed.  When our speed dropped to below 2 knots we knew the beast was onto us.  Our suspicions were confirmed when the rudder was rendered inoperable by the monster’s bulk.  The captain’s first instinct was to fire up the other engine in an attempt to flush the beast off.  Alas this only riled the beast to slow us down even further.  The only logical options were to fight the beast hand to tentacle, or surrender to its whims until it bored of our vessel.  The good ship Virginia always looks to peace, so off went the engines and along came the wait till daylight.  It was a long uncomfortable four hours till the sun rose in the east.  The leviathan did its best to prevent any forward progress, but we outlasted his interest with our limitless patience.   As the morning sun lit the sky, all evidence of the beast was gone.  The engines regained their ability to propel us forward and we set our sights towards Morehead City. 
    We had some incredible sailing during our journey.  At one point we were making 7 knots with just the stays’l set.  The seas were rough, causing a few casualties as mugs took flight.  We brought the topsails down to deck for the winter in an effort to get a jump on the down-rigging.  It was amazing how quickly it changed from summer to winter.  It seemed that the moment we crossed through the western wall of the Gulf Stream we were back in winter.

(Note:  Due to difficulties with the satellite communications system, the blogs cannot be sent from underway.  Our faithful AB/Deckhand/media liaison, Keith Barkwood, forwards them all from port calls, where he has aircard access.  Here are the latest.)

Dec. 8, 2009 1800hrs
20° 19.1’ N
067° 43.3’ W
En route Norfolk, VA
By Keith Barkwood

    We have put St. Thomas astern, and the magnetic pull to that island is beginning to fade.  It is really great to be back in our sea watches working the ship northwest to Florida and eventually home.  We are 18 souls for the trip north, with volunteers from as far away as Alaska.  Two of our students, Herbert and Don, didn’t get enough sailing during the Ocean Navigator classes and decided to stay aboard.  The professional crew is truly glad to have all the extra hands to help lighten the load for all.
     We have already caught one fish on our way home–a nice sized barracuda,  which I swear, followed us from St. Thomas.  See, while I was underwater changing the zincs on the propeller shaft I had the queer feeling of being watched.  I shook it off knowing that one of the crew was on the dock as my dive buddy and they were watching closely.  But that feeling wouldn’t leave me.  It was then that I turned my head and looked straight into the eye of a barracuda as long as my leg about an arms length away.  He smiled at me with that mouth full of teeth and I knew what he was thinking–that I looked like a nice snack, all pink and fleshy.  I waved my wrench at him and he swam off to wreak havoc somewhere else.  Back to work I go, only to notice a bit later that he was back, this time below me.  Better to attack from my blind side, tricky little fish.   A swipe of the fin sent him away again and myself back to work.  Work done, I returned to the surface to tell my fish tale and low and behold, mid-story, who shows up?  Mr. Mouthful of Teeth that’s who.  Right on cue as I was explaining my encounter, he saunters up to my feet much to the glee of all those at the rail listening to my story.  Well, enough is enough. This time it’s me who’s leaving the area. 

Dec. 9, 2009 1800hrs
22° 41.7’ N
069° 17.8’ W
En route Norfolk, VA
By Keith Barkwood

A Day of Remembrance

     Today we passed within 126 miles of the spot where the first Pride of Baltimore sank many years ago.  The Captain called all hands to deck to say a few words for the lost souls of that unfortunate event. 
     We are making our way currently north to ports unknown.  Our original plan to call on a port in Florida may have changed in favor of a more northern port like Charleston or Norfolk.  We have been having some fine sailing weather and even got the fisherman sail on her today for a few hours.  It is still wickedly hot below decks, prompting many to indulge in deck showers.  I wish I could can some of this heat for when we return to Norfolk and winter. 

Dec.10, 2009 1300hrs
2431.8’N
07018.3’W
En route Norfolk, VA
By Keith Barkwood

Happy Birthdays, Ms. Seavey and Schooner Virginia!

     Ms. Seavey, you tried to hide the fact that today is your birthday.  However, the cat has been out of the bag for quite some time.  For your birthday this year you get some great sailing, and the company of a wonderful crew.  We also are excited to celebrate 5 years of Schooner Virginia.   May you both have many exciting years ahead of you.
     Today we gybed the schooner towards the US mainland.  We are tracking towards Charleston, currently under full sail.  The nights have been getting cooler but the days are still just as hot.

Dec. 3, 2009 1930hrs
18° 20.1’N
064° 55.8’W
St. Thomas
By Keith Barkwood

     Today half the crew had off to explore the island.  The rest of us on board put two coats of varnish on the aft and midship cabin tops.  We had another fantastic swim call before lunch and then after the workday was through.   I can get used to this very easily.

Nov. 29, 2009 12000hrs
24° 41.8’N
062° 40.4’W
En route St. Thomas
By Keith Barkwood

Closer, closer, closer.

     Today has been a really great day.  The sailing has been fantastic and the weather perfect.  All of the Ocean Navigator students were on deck to shoot the sun at local apparent noon.  If all the days were like this, everyone would be out here sailing on the ocean. 

Nov. 30, 2009 18000hrs
21° 53.8’N
063° 30.1’W
En route St. Thomas
By Keith Barkwood

In the Tropics.

     We have officially crossed into the tropics.  It happened last night and somehow today it feels much hotter.  There was a plethora of deck showers this afternoon as landfall may only be a day away.  The water temp and the air temp are just about the same, yet a bucket over the head is so very refreshing.  We have had a great bit of sailing over the last couple of days.  There have been times we’ve been in the 9-knot range, just smoking along.  However, to keep our arrival time punctual, we have a 7-knot minimum sailing speed before the motors come on.  So presently, since  the wind has dropped off, we are motor sailing along creating a nice little breeze down the companionway.