 |
0630 Hours
Starting Position: Moored at Eagle Landing in East Haddam, CT.
Latitude: 41 ˚ 27.0' N
Longitude: 072˚ 27.9' W
Day Six of our 2008 Fresh River Voyage of Discovery.
Today will be the last full day of our students' voyage, and will present the climax to their research projects. But first, we have a long, action-packed day to get through! The crew rises early this morning so the students can complete their data collection.
|
0845 Hours
The final readings have been taken, so now we enter the final phase of the student projects; the students must now compile and present their data.
Captain Reynolds convenes a brief session around the capstan to offer some tips on clear graph presentation.
|
0900 Hours
After the briefing, the students turn back to their work, seeking guidance from their senior crew advisors...
|
...and our on-board educators.
|
0930 Hours
As we count down to the Half Moon's ceremonious arrival in East Hartford on Day Seven, an aura of excitement is building around the ship. This morning we are playing host to a number of dignitaries, including Mark Scheinberg, President of Goodwin College, and a number of his staffers.
|
The Goodwin staff have also been kind enough to bring us the morning papers, where several articles featuring the Fresh Water Voyage of Discovery have now been printed.
|
A regional news show, Better Connecticut, has also sent out a reporter and camera crew to interview our students...
|
...and senior crew.
|
1000 Hours
We're also delighted to receive a visit from Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd and his family. Although Senator Dodd only has enough time for a brief tour of the ship, his wife and daughters join us for a longer visit.
|
While youngest daughter Christina stays on deck to learn some knots...
|
...Jackie Dodd and her daughter Grace are interested in climbing the shrouds. Naturally, they must first complete harness training and all the other requirements of climbing aloft.
|
Even with this whirlwind of action and attention all around them, our students keep focused on completing their presentation reports.
|
There's still time for some relaxation, however. Jessica hasn't yet climbed the rig, and decides to overcome her nerves and take the opportunity now. Ms. Read accompanies her up the starboard shrouds, while Ms. Reilly and the Dodds climb up the port side.
|
1100 Hours
They all meet in the main top and take in the view, about six stories above the waterline.
When they return to deck, the Dodds must be on their way.
1215 Hours
Our visitors have disembarked, so we change back into our work clothes and begin initial preparations for our departure. First, however, we enjoy a quick lunch of wraps.
|
1330 Hours
While Mr. Mangrum was off site updating the log, the crew have treated themselves to another deck wash. Now Mr. Mangrum has returned, so we make ready for an immediate departure.
|
1445 Hours
This is the farthest up the Connecticut River the Half Moon has ever gone. beyond the bridge lie "uncharted waters." However, even as the captain issues the first order to the dock line handlers, Danielle and Tahari notice that the barometric pressure is rising...
|
1400 Hours
We cancel all ship operations and send all student crew safely below decks as the Half Moon, still moored to the dock, is suddenly rocked by a ferocious thunderstorm containing pouring rains, driving winds, and pea-sized hail. The senior crew is prepared for such situations, however, and dive into position to keep both ship and crew safe.
|
1430 Hours
Like most such summer thunderstorms, the tempest quickly blows over, though the skies remain ominous to the west. As our crew re-emerges to the weather deck, Captain Reynolds points something out on shore...
|
Mouse over for a closer view of the runoff.
 |
...during our environmental studies, we've introduced the student crew to concepts such as erosion, runoff, and watersheds. We're now seeing these properties in action; as pools of rainwater in the park drain into the river, they tumble over a low section of the sloping beach, washing its soil into the water.
|
After all of the excitement has died down, we discover that the experience has been harrowing enough to put whiskers on some of our students. Or should we admit that the student crew has been tattooing beards on their faces? Whichever is more likely to give parents heart attacks, we suppose.
But no fear -- these tattoos wash off with water.
|
1445 Hours
After our brief weather delay, we return to our stations on deck, cast off our lines, and are soon back underway. Our data collection layover has come to a memorable end.
|
1500 Hours
The swing bridge opens for us and we pass into the upper stretches of the Connecticut River.
|
1630 Hours
Carolann and Oksãna have decided to spice up their presentation tonight with a physical demonstration of mechanical advantage.
|
Other students work down on the orlop deck, constructing graphs to show their data.
|
Although we still miss Henk Morel, who has gone back home to the Netherlands since our Spring Voyage of Discovery, the art of marlinspike is still alive on board.
David and Tahari relax at the rail, practicing making Turk's head knot bracelets.
|
Like the upper Hudson, the main length of Connecticut River is very narrow, and its navigable channel even less forgiving. Rapid, precise commands between the Quarter deck and the helm hutch keep both our officer and helmsman on their toes!
|
1815 Hours
Work is progressing on Carolann and Oksãna's rig presentation. Most of the other students have now completed their graphs, allowing them to relax and take in the view.
|
Captain Reynolds and his mates maintain their keen watch on the river markers and the shoreline as we close in on our next destination.
|
1830 Hours
It's not every day that you're boating in the Upper Hudson and suddenly see a 17th-century sailing ship round the bend to greet you! Pleasure boaters on the river swing by to take a look.
|
Mouse over to pull a stunt.
 |
This boat was particularly entertaining; the skier is riding a hydroplaning water ski, and performed a number of flips as he passed us by.
|
A few final touches on a few graphs, and the entire student crew is ready to present their findings.
|
1900 Hours
Before the students can worry about presentations, however, we have other matters to attend to; we've just come within visual range of our destination for the night.
|
The crew hustles to prepare our docklines. While Carlos helps Mr. Coolidge with Line Three...
|
...Carolann and Ms. Cosgrove are stationed at Line One at the fore end of the orlop deck. They tie a monkeyfist to the line and pass out the hawsehole to Ms. Read...
|
Mouse over for a closer view of the marina.
 |
...who is positioned on the channel to accept it. Behind Ms. Read, the docks of Seaboard Marina are rapidly approaching.
|
1915 Hours
We dispatch Ms. Reilly, Alex, and Nora to the Zodiac. The ship's tender will be at the ready to help guide the Half Moon into port if needed -- much in the same way tug boats help maneuver barges and larger ships.
|
Since we've never visited this marina before, we take every precaution as we approach. Mr. Coolidge is stationed on the fore channel and takes soundings as we approach.
During standard Half Moon operations such as this one, we use the exact same lead line that Carlos and Gabriel have using for their height of tide research.
|
1930 Hours
We pass our lines to the attendants waiting on the floating dock...
|
...who make them off on sturdy pilings called "dolphins." The ship is soon secure in its moorings. We reward ourselves by immediately sitting down to a dinner of chicken and biscuits.
Ending Position: Moored at Seaboard Marina in Glastonbury, CT.
Latitude: 41˚ 38.9' N
Longitude: 072˚ 37.3' W
|
1945 Hours
The least we can do is to invite the marina owner and his family on board for a look around. David steps up to guide them through a tour of the ship, demonstrating the knowledge he's learned while aboard.
|
2000 Hours
With all the excitement today, it appears that Alex and David are feeling a little worn down!
(Carolann assures us that this does not help her feel taller.)
|
2030 Hours
Emergency! One of Jessica and Nora's graphs has accidentally gotten wet and been ruined. Jessica leaps into action and prepares a replacement at the last moment.
|
2045 Hours
As the sun sets, the big moment has come.
|
We rig some lights and all hands gather on deck for the student presentations.
|
Working singly or in pairs, the students present their graphs and talk us through what they've learned from their research projects. Visit the Learning Pages for more details.
|
We think the presentations go pretty well!
|
2230 Hours
Carolann and Oksãna go last. To end the presentations with a grand finale, they demonstrate their simple machine, capable of lifting Ms. Reilly off the deck in a painter's chair while exerting only thirty pounds of force.
It's already late by the time we wrap up the presentations -- and a big day still awaits us tomorrow, but we still have time to enjoy peach cobblers for dessert. The students were also looking forward to a major treat -- the legendary elixir known as "sodas" -- but due to the late hour we all agree it'll be best for them for save the drinks for tomorrow.
|
2300 Hours
Lights out comes quickly, with most of the student crew sleeping outside on the weather deck. Everyone beds down, then -- to postpone sleep for a few more precious seconds -- leaps up for an impromptu crew photo.
The night passes quietly, the students knowing that the hardest work is all behind them now. Tomorrow brings our arrival at Goodwin College, much pomp and ceremony, and, sadly, voyage's end.
|
| |
|
|
|