A Poetic Voyage on the Lady

Greetings! I just returned from a glorious transit south to San Francisco from Aberdeen aboard the Lady Washington. I signed on as a volunteer this time around, hoping to be part of Seaport’s skipper rotation in the future. During my two weeks aboard this beautiful Brig we weathered three gales and got quite a workout at the helm. Her nine-foot tiller made of purpleheart, attached to a one ton rudder, guarantees the loss of a little weight around one’s midsection despite how often you eat “main course!” The following is a poetic account.

Life aboard the Brig “Lady Washington”
My mind is aglow with a plethora of poetic expression resulting from my recent voyage aboard the Lady Washington. From the moment I donned the period garb, lovingly referred to as “funnies,” I felt myself being transported back in time to the 18th century when explorers were discovering the west coast of America. From the staged cannon battles against the Hawaiian Chieftain to handling the halyards and sheets, and bracing the yardarms, my senses were tingling as I began to experience the life of a Tall Ship sailor.

When in the seaway, the Lady creaked and groaned, plying through the wind tossed waves as any wooden ship of sail would have done in days of old. We had one advantage that our 18th century ancestors did not – the use of an 871 Detroit diesel to get us through the contrary winds and tides. Crossing the Westport and Columbia bars seemed less difficult than it must have been for Robert Gray and the likes of earlier explorers. They had no engine and were at the mercy of wind and tide with only their sail handling experience and determination to rely upon.

Being made a watch commander with an assigned crew was a pleasant surprise and benefit I did not expect. My crewmembers were responsive and reliable – though young; they appeared fearless in the gale force winds, willing to take on any task necessary to keep our ship safe and seaworthy. Watching them go aloft up on the ratlines to the main t’gallant in heavy seas to retie a gasket, or to the main topsail to secure her loosened yardarm and make fast, was impressive indeed.

Though the Lady performed well in light breezes and stormy gales, in a seaway her main decks were awash much of the time for that is the nature of her design. The continual dousing of salty wave and spray is good for her wooden hull and decks. The saltwater helps to preserve her wooden construction and keeps the planking on her deck and bulwarks tight.

The numerous whale and dolphin sightings were an added treat for all and comforting to the crew after a few days out. The immense size and grandeur of the Pacific Ocean tends to humble oneself when upon her waters. When you think about our planet being three-quarters covered by sea and ocean and you reflect upon her enormous depths, a man tends to shrink into obscurity, feeling not much larger than an ant in a world of human giants. Vast, unmeasurable, boundless and free is she the mighty Pacific.

The Lady in all her glory is surely a ship to fall in love with. Her traditional rig and design sets the stage for an early American romance novel. Even the Captains, each of a particular creed and breed, make the adventure aboard a Tall Ship more surreal. For me, this voyage was in part the fulfillment of a childhood dream and one I intend – God willing – to repeat, perhaps one day as her future Captain. She’s a fine ship indeed!

Thank You & Happy Holidays to all your staff and readers,
Captain Nicholas Stivers
Vessel Assist Tacoma
Tacoma, WA

I’ve had the pleasure of helming the Lady Washington down Puget Sound and even in light winds the tiller was “formidable.” Even with the assistance of the block and tackles it has to be a challenge steering her in a blow. At 99 tons and overall length of 112 feet, this is no ultralight. One certainly does develop a great appreciation for what the sailors on those explorations went through. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

More Info on Sail Training Ships

Along with the annual Charter Guide and Sailing Schools Guide you might consider adding an annual list of the Sail Training Ships and their organizations such as the Lady Washington from Grays Harbor, SALTS out of Victoria, BC and others. This could include their schedule for the year and information on the availability of crew positions for their sail training trips. I believe that these groups deserve our respect for the number of youths that they introduce to sailing every year and the heritage they represent. I know of no one providing this service for the ships based out of the Northwest.

Donald Maywald
S/V Gromit
St. Helens, Oregon

We do provide that information when it is available. We have to do these things ahead of time and most of the organizations vary greatly as to when their info is current. Usually they’ll just put it up on their website. When we get info we pass it along, or at least with the current website address and hope it’s up to date.

Just a click of the heels and you’re there!

It’s a small world, indeed! After the Hobie 16 World Championships in Fiji, we chartered a Moorings cat for a week in the Vava’u group of Tonga. We left the Moorings base the first day and settled into a nice sail in 20k. After a wonderful sail amongst the islands we decided to duck into anchorage #16. No sooner had we dropped the hook than my son said “Hey, Dad, that boat is from Seattle.” I leaned over for a look, and sure enough – they were from Seattle! We immediately got into the RIB and rowed over to them.

Now it just so happens that before leaving for Tonga my friend Dan Carpenter from Hobies NW had mentioned that the friends he had done the Baja-Haha with last year were in the area. Wouldn’t you know it – our first night on the hook and we found them! I mean, what are the chances? It is the Rard family – Jim, Jeanna, Molly & Jessie – from Ruby Slippers, a Jenneau 49. Jim is the owner of Marine Servicenter, and one heckuva nice guy! I hadn’t met him before, but after a few hours of sharing sea stories, you would have thought we were the best of friends.

Jim explained they were headed south to the Ha’api group of Tonga to wait for a weather window for the passage over to New Zealand. I believe the plan is to spend the winter, er, summer, in New Zealand and Australia before returning home by next July. As Disney says “It’s a small, small world!”

Peter Nelson
Seattle, WA

The Rards seem to be everywhere. Last month’s mag had them in Pago Pago, American Samoa. And what are the guys at Marine Servicenter doing while he’s away? Read on.

You’ve Heard Them at the Duck Dodge - Now Get the CD!

It’s not easy having a live band on a sailboat, but ?“Gertrude’s Hearse” pulled it off. Ray John (far right, the dinghy guy from Marine Servicenter) set up the band on Kevin Dolan’s Buchan 37 and played at the Duck Dodge on Lake Union.

The band now has a CD out which you can preview at www.gertrudeshearse.com. No, it’s not called “Live on the Lake.” It’s called Worst (ask them).

Good to See Postings of Circe

As the younger son of John Seaborn and nephew to his identical twin, Ben (who designed the Circe when the twins were 17 year olds), it pleases me - as I know it would my father and uncle - to see postings on the Internet relating to the Circe.

I only met Hugo Butler once, as a young child, but my father spoke highly of Mr. Butler, quite often, in fact.

It seems ages ago now (and yet only yesterday...if that makes any sense) of sailing on Circe up until it was no longer in the family. Thank you Mr. Butler for your kind words regarding both the Circe and members of my family.

Christian Seaborn


The postings Christian is refering to are the letters on the 48° North website.

Stuart Island School Tragedy - T-Shirts on the Honor System

I just read your article on Stuart Island in your October issue, by Migael Scherer, and want to add our names to the long list of people for whom Stuart Island is a favourite destination.

But I seem to recall reading in a guidebook somewhere, that the disaster befalling the schoolchildren was a fire, not drowning. I have been to the museum adjacent to the schoolhouse and was surprised to find no reference to any disaster, fire or drowning. And I was not able to find any reference to the subject on the net. What was the disaster, and did it really happen?

The schoolhouse is a very attractive little building, but your readers may be interested to know, however, that as of June this year, the school on Stuart Island is closed for lack of students. Last year there was but one student, that of the school teacher, and the teacher has taken a job off the island.

Your readers may also be interested to hear about the “Treasure Chest” which is mentioned in Wikipedia, which is the only retail establishment on Stuart Island. A local resident hangs out samples of very good quality T-shirts on a clothesline (you can also buy other items such as hats); you then access the design and size you want from a wooden chest nearby, and you pay for your purchase by mail on the honour system. On a recent visit, the purveyor dropped by and was telling us that they lose very few T-shirts to people who “forget” to send a cheque. Other cruisers, friends and acquaintances to whom we tell the story, invariably express amazement that such a place could exist.

Fred E. Butler
S/V Oka-Lee

The school was closed from 1944 until 1947 during World War II, and again from 1961 until 1977 because there was a boating accident that killed all of the school students in 1961. For more details and history visit: http://www.stuartisland.com/school/schoolhist.htm The “Treasure Chest” truly is unique to Stuart Island. It’s really nice to see something working on the “honor system.” A true thowback to a simpler day.

John Deere’s Official Position on Using Biodiesel in Their Engines

John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) is officially clarifying its position on the use of biodiesel in its diesel engines. While 5 percent blends (B5) are preferred, biodiesel concentrations up to a 20 percent blend (B20) in petroleum diesel fuel can be used in John Deere engines through Tier 3/Stage III A models, including all non-emissions-certified engines. Biodiesel blends up to B20 can be used only if the biodiesel (100 percent biodiesel or B100) meets ASTM D6751 (U.S.), EN 14214 (EU) or equivalent specification. Please see the attached press release for more information.

Thank you!
Jennifer Oredson
Two Rivers Marketing

Since John Deere Power Systems manufactures and markets marine engines we thought this information might be important for JDPS owners and just good information in general. We’ve done some biodiesel information in the past, and hope to have a more in-depth study of it soon. The following is more from the press release. Go to the website listed below for full details:

"John Deere-approved fuel conditioners containing detergent/dispersant additives, such as John Deere Premium Biodiesel Fuel Conditioner, are recommended when using lower biodiesel blends but are required when using B20 blends."

"John Deere wants every potential biodiesel user to be informed about the advantages as well as the cautions of using biodiesel. Good operating practices are very important when using any biodiesel blend. Visit www.JohnDeere.com/biodiesel for more information on biofuels and the proper way to use them in John Deere engines."