0700 hours

Current Position: Anchored off Henry Hudson Park.
Latitude: 42˚ 32.6'
Longitude: 073˚ 45.5'

The final day of the second leg of our Fall 2008 Voyage of Discovery.

We rise one last time to greet a cool, misty morning off Henry Hudson Park.

For our student crew, the hard work is done. This is a day just for celebration! In a few hours, our students will return to their homes rich with their new skills, new experiences, and new... hairstyles?

0845 hours

After breakfast, we kick off the morning with mail call. Thanks to all the families and supporters who wrote in to us!

0900 hours

After hearing from home, we move right into the first big event of the morning: the crew shirt ceremony. Only those who have proven themselves able members of the Half Moon crew have earned the right to wear "the orange."

On the Crew Page, mouse over the students' portraits to see them receive their exclusive shirts.

Many of our student alumni and alumnae have remained active with our ship's activities ever since their own Voyages of Discovery -- including several who have since returned to serve as senior crew! Our new recruits will always be welcome back onboard the Half Moon.

0930 hours

Of course, this voyage isn't quite over yet. In preparation for their later departure, the students turn their attention to rummaging and cleaning the orlop deck.

0945 hours

A welcome arrival! The students from the first leg of the voyage have returned to the ship to join us for our triumphant arrival in Albany. Using the ship's tender, Mr. Morel relays the first leg crew over to the ship in just a few trips.

1015 hours

For the first time, the full crew of both legs of this Voyage of Discovery are on board and accounted for. After a boisterous round of friendly greetings, the order comes down: It's time to go!

Mouse over to walk the capstan.

1030 hours

For the last time, the students walk the capstan to weigh anchor.

1045 hours

As soon as the ship is underway, we call for a quick deck wash to present the Half Moon at its best for the arrival ceremony.

With nearly forty active crew members on board, every task flies by! (But thank goodness we won't have to find somewhere for everyone to sleep!)

1100 hours

As we approach Albany, the crew mingles freely, buzzing with anticipation.

1145 hours

We are now coming up on the Port of Albany, with the Dunn Memorial Bridge well in view ahead of us. The crew scrambles into position for the grand arrival.

1200 hours

We are closing in on the Corning Preserve and the waiting crowds. As we approach the bridge, Mr. Schuijer, Mr. Gorter, and Mr. Beiter stand by to fire a series of cannon salutes.

Mouse over to have Mr. Beiter give fire!

Down comes the first command: "Give fire!" Mr. Beiter fires the starboard falconette to salute the U.S.S. Slater.

Moments later, we pass under the Dunn Memorial Bridge. It's a good thing we lowered the top masts!

Mouse over for the water display.

Past the bridge, our destination comes clearly into view. As is their tradition, the technicians of the Albany water pumping station welcome the Half Moon with a high-pressure water display.

Mouse over to give fire!

As we approach, once more comes the command to give fire. Mr. Gorter and Mr. Schuijer fire off the port falconettes to greet the crowd.

You can see how far the cannons jump back even we're just firing blackpowder "blanks" as a salute. Were these cannons fully charged to fire actual pound-and-a-half cannonballs, they could blast themselves backwards as far as three or four feet! The rings visible on both the cannon and inner hull would be used under live fire conditions to restain and help reset these guns when fired -- no one likes a "loose cannon," after all.

Up in the beak, Gabby, Rowan, and Nicole wave to the crowd (and seem a bit glad that the cannon barrage is over).

Oh, but we're not done with the salutes just yet!

Mouse over to fire the swivel gun.

As we pull in toward the dock, Mr. Prime, acting ship's gunner, fires off a long series of salutes with one of the ship's swivel guns.

At last, we enter our final approach. With Jared at the helm, we slide neatly into position.

As we close in on the dock, the water display ends and we get a good look at who's waiting for us...

...A massive crowd of well-wishing friends, relatives, and classmates cheer us on.

As we throw out our docking lines, we see Half Moon volunteers and alumni from past Voyages of Discovery waiting to greet us.

On both ship and shore, people seek out familiar faces in the opposite crowd and call out.

We're also greeted by notable Albany dignitaries... both past and present.

1215 hours

The Half Moon is quickly secured and the order comes to disembark. Our student climbers return to the deck on their way to shore.

Greeted by Half Moon crew, local luminaries, and the press, this voyage's crew quickly congregates on the dock before walking up to greet the adoring crowd.

At the arrival ceremony, Half Moon volunteer Steve Weisse (far right) and his brass quintet have been entertaining the crowd. Now, they play us onto the stage.

As we gather up, we spot other notables in the crowd, including this fellow (and his helper), who is quickly dubbed "Captain Hudson's stunt double."

Karen Urbanski

Albany Mayor Gerold Jennings

Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton

Deputy Secretary of State Robert Elliott

Captain William "Chip" Reynolds

1230 hours

Karen Urbanski, the Rensselaer Middle School principal, serves as master of ceremonies for our arrival.

In turn, a number of local official take the podium to welcome the Half Moon and justly congratulate its students.

First up is Albany's mayor Gerold Jennings, who also takes the opportunity to speak about the plans in the works for next year's quadracentennial celebrations.

Next to the podium Brian Stratton, mayor of Schenectady, who proudly presents his city's students with a City of Schenectady Certificate of Appreciation.

He is followed by Robert Elliott, Deputy Secretary of N.Y. State, who shares his own, personal experiences sailing on board the Half Moon with the audience.

Last but not least, Captain Reynolds himself concludes the list of speakers by offering words of honor and gratitude to the students, senior crew, and the many friends of the ship in attendance.

1245 hours

After the welcoming speakers, Captain Reynolds concludes the ceremony by presenting each student crew member with a certificate of accomplishment. (And giving the crowd a better look at some recipients, of course.)

1300 hours

With that, the arrival ceremony comes to an end. The crowd breaks up as our crew members seek out friends, family, and even the press. Of course, there's no rest for the wicked; after the crowds have dispersed, the students march right back on board the ship to offload their gear. The senior crew has its hands full as well -- the rest of the afternoon will be spent preparing the Half Moon for a few weeks of historical dockside tours -- starting at 1000 hours tomorrow morning!

Thus concludes the 2008 Fall Voyage of Discovery. Thanks to our supporters and a hearty congratulations to the entire crew!

On this date in 1609:

The nineteenth, was faire and hot weather: at the floud being neere eleven of the clocke, wee weighed, and ran higher up two leagues above the Shoalds, and had no lesse water then five fathoms: wee anchored, and rode in eight fathomes. The people of the Countrie came flocking aboord, and brought us Grapes, and Pompions, which wee bought for trifles. And many brought us Bevers skinnes, and Otters skinnes, which wee bought for Beades, Knives, and Hatchets. So we rode there all night.

-- Robert Juet's Journal.