0600 hours

Starting Position: Moored at Peckham Materials, Athens, NY.
Latitude: 42˚ 16.3' N
Longitude: 073˚ 48.1' W

Day One of the Half Moon's voyage from Athens, NY to New London, CT.

In just a few days, the Half Moon is due to pick up a crew full of Two Rivers and GHAMAS students to launch the 2009 Fresh River Voyage of Discovery. However, before any of that can happen, the Half Moon must reach the starting point of the voyage: New London, Connecticut.

Our crew boarded over the course of the day yesterday and settled in for an early night. Now, as dawn breaks over Athens Channel, they rise for a quick departure.

Within minutes of rising, we've cast off our lines and set out downriver. Just a few weeks ago, the Half Moon led the River Day Flotilla, taking a leisurely eight days to travel from New York City to Rensselaer/Albany. Our goal today is to retrace most of that journey by nightfall; let's see how we do.

1015 hours

Come mid-morning, the ship is approaching the Esopus Lighthouse, just past Kingston. By now, our crew has enjoyed a simple breakfast and settled into their watch rotations.

Port Watch runs the ship from 6-12 (both AM and PM), and is currently on duty; from 12-6, Starboard Watch will take over.

Meanwhile, Ms. Barton and her galley helpers Reynolds and Johnsen have started preparing macaroni salad to accompany the sandwiches for our upcoming lunch.

1300 hours

After lunch, Starboard Watch Leader Cardoza directs several of our new crew (and currently off-duty) members through their harness and rig training. Meanwhile, you might be able to identify the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge drawing closer in the background.

1345 hours

Elsewhere, the Starboard Watch is on duty. Galley assistants Reynolds and Bates clean dishes after lunch.

Not long after, the younger crew have discovered a cache of temporary tattoos (left behind by Sarah Read last summer, we suspect). A flurry of lizard and butterly decals soon has our crew inked and suitably salty in appearance.

As we pass Newburgh, we spot this southbound squall rapidly catching up with us.

We rush to stretch a tarp over the main hatch, but in the end the brief storm delivers little more than some cooling drizzle. Fortunately for us, this is about as inclement as the weather will get until our arrival in New London.

1530 hours

As the Half Moon travels through the Hudson Highlands, Mr. Van Grondelle cleans and readies a swivel gun for an upcoming salute.

He's also training Mr. Robinson to step in as an assistant gunner; they discuss the procedure as we pass under Bear Mountain Bridge.

1630 hours

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Past Bear Mountain Bridge, a few twists in the river, and Peekskill, we reach the community of Verplanck, home to King Marine, the Half Moon's longtime winter home.

With marina owner Randy King out to watch, we fire a single salute his way. This is the only salute we'll fire on the journey to New London; after our experiences during River Day, some of our new crew members are still acclimating to the idea of a Half Moon voyage that isn't accompanied by a constant barrage of cannon fire.

1830 hours

We've passed through Haverstraw Bay and are quickly approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge. The mouth of the Hudson River is within our grasp, and Port Watch is back on duty under Ms. Laufer.

1845 hours

As we pass along the Palisades, we stumble upon a mini-River Day Flotilla reunion. First, the Launch 5 motors passes by to say hello...

...and within a few minutes, we spot the Riverkeeper patrolling the eastern waterfront. Once we're in New York Harbor (and past sunset, preventing our ability to collect photos), we spot the John J Harvey at dock and the Adirondack out on an evening cruise.

1930 hours

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As the sun slouches toward the Palisades, we pass downtown Yonkers. We'll return here for public tours this October, following the 2009 Masters Voyage of Discovery.

2000 hours

In the fading sunlight, we elect to clean off the ship's maintenance dust with a quick deck wash.

2015 hours

Mr. Cardoza and Ms. Bates join Ms. Johnsen at lookout as we pass under the George Washington Bridge.

Beyond, the cityscape on Manhattan gleams orange and blue in the dying rays of sunset.

2030 hours

Ms. Reynolds and Mr. Ellis, both former Voyage of Discovery student crew members, step in as the lookout on duty takes a break to grab dinner.

2045 hours

After dinner, Ms. Barton treats the crew to brownie sundaes, which are a massive hit.

2115 hours

Ending Position: Anchored at Bay Ridge Flats in New York Harbor.
Latitude: 39 ˚ 39.5' N
Longitude: 074˚ 01.5' W

As evening descends over New York Harbor, we reach our destination at the Bay Ridge Flats and set anchor.

After a long day of relentless travel, the crew can all finally sit back and relax, enjoying a warm night with the lights of New York and its neighbors all around us. We're scheduled to pick up an additional crew member late tomorrow morning before moving on, so we bunk down tonight knowing we can look forward to a gentle start come morning.

Next Time: From Hellsgate into the Night.