0730 hours

Starting Position: Anchored in the lee of Ram Island in Gardiners Bay, Long Island Sound.
Latitude: 41˚ 05.6' N
Longitude: 072˚ 16.6' W

The fourth and final day of the Half Moon's voyage from Athens, NY to New London, CT.

Captain Reynolds has once again allowed the crew to rise as their leisure, but a few early birds are still up to greet the dawn.

0915 hours

By the time breakfast is served, the rest of the crew is up and about.

We also discover this morning that the crew has uncovered another hidden stash of temporary tattoos. As for exactly which youngster's skin is inked here, we'll leave that a mystery.

1030 hours

Time to get back to work. Captain Reynolds convenes a crew briefing on deck.

The first matter of business is our arrival in New London. We were originally scheduled to arrive tomorrow, July 1st, but we made such good time down the Hudson and through the East River that we actually could have reached New London yesterday. After discussing it with his officers, the captain has decided that after one more relaxing day of sailing, we'll head in to New London tonight.

1045 hours

That known, we focus on weighing anchor. While the usual suspects tackle the fore deck and capstan...

...Mr. Cardoza tends the rode at the bits -- a backup safety precaution -- while Ms. Reynolds and Ms. Bates fake the rode.

Mouse over to walk a half turn on the capstan.

Laying more hands onto the capstan, we quickly pull the anchor free of the bottom.

Once the fore deck team has hauled the anchor up from the waterline, Ms. Laufer secures it to the fore channel.

1100 hours

No sooner are we on our way than we encounter another instance of the Half Moon's primary natural enemy, the wily lobster pot. In the bright light of day, however, these ambush predators present little challenge.

1200 hours

The shifting winds aren't blowing quite where we'd like to go, so we decide to motor against the wind for a while to allow us to sail back.

In the meantime, it's relaxation time for the off-duty crew members (including all of Port Watch, who have just completed their shift). For their part, Ms. Reynolds and Ms. Robinson launch back into the epic cat's cradle marathon they started last night.

1230 hours

We swing around, set the courses, brace to the wind, and shut off the engine. By motoring eastward away from our destination, we've just bought ourselves a full afternoon of sail time.

With the courses set, the main mast crew stands ready to set the main topsail.

Mouse over to set the top sail.

With topman Reynolds helping to feed the sail out of the basket, the topsail is soon raised and drawing.

1245 hours

His work done, Mr. Reynolds returns to the deck while Ms. Bates continues her hour at lookout.

1330 hours

The crew digs into their sandwiches after lunch is served.

With five of the ship's six sails now drawing the wind, the Half Moon is cleaving along on a generally easterly course.

1345 hours

The Half Moon heels to port under the might of the mounting winds. In fact, these powerful winds are a side effect of a pressure front which is even now brewing a storm that will catch up with the ship at the New London City Pier, but for now our sailing conditions are perfect.

1530 hours

As entertaining as our day of sailing has been, the crew is starting to wilt under the sun's heat. We strike the sails to drop our speed.

1615 hours

Below decks, Mrs. Barton prepares lasagna and salad for dinner with her galley assistant, Mr. Padalka.

1645 hours

Why did we bring the ship to a halt? To go swimming!

Mouse over to take a dive!

The sequel to yesterday's swim call seems to have drawn a larger audience. About half the crew elects to cool off in the waves.

The water is still bracingly chilly, but Mr. Van Grondelle decides to tackle the challenge head-on.

Diving is allowed; we are in the deep end of the pool, after all!

Mouse over for a closer look.

1730 hours

As we wrap up our swim call and turn north toward New London, Mr. Reynolds comes upon signs of a new emergent behavior among the crew. Mr. Van Grondelle, Ms. Barthel, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Reynolds, and Mr. Ellis have declared themselves the Head Hunters -- a group dedicated to finding new obscure items and locations to clean in the head (and scoring points by scrubbing them down). The Head Hunter who cleans the highest total of overlooked nooks and crannies wins the accolates of their peers.

Mouse over to check the back.

1745 hours

While Mr. Ellis updates his Head Hunter tally, Ms. Johnsen treats Ms. Reynolds to a French braid.

1830 hours

Dinner's served! The crew enjoys their lasagna in the light of the setting sun.

1930 hours

As overcast skies spread out to cover the setting sun, Mr. Ellis remains focused on his Head Hunter accomplishments. By the time we reach New London, the final tally will place Mr. Ellis and Ms. Reynolds in a tie, with each having discovered and cleansed five seldom-considered spots in the head.

2015 hours

The Half Moon is now in its final approach into New London, and apparently none too soon. Behind us, this dramatic stormfront is moving in from the southeast.

Captain Reynolds keeps a close eye on the potential squall as we enter the long channel leading to the New London harbor.

2030 hours

We run out our dock lines as we close in on our destination. With a storm looming behind us, we don't want to waste a moment before getting the ship safely into port.

With Mr. Padalka stationed on the port fore channel to deploy the fore fender, the City Pier of New London comes into view.

The nocturnal glow of downtown New London beckons as we make our final approach. Fortunately, by now we've determined that the squall will pass behind us to the southl a few drops of rain will be the worst of our worries tonight.

At last we pull in to the City Pier, where the crew of the Mystic Whaler is waiting to assist us with our dock lines.

2045 hours

Final Position: Docked at the City Pier in New London, CT.
Latitude: 41˚ 21.2' N
Longitude: 072˚ 05.5' W

The Half Moon is safely docked at New London, bringing our voyage to an end. A few of our crew members must disembark immediately, some will stick around to help prepare the ship for our next journey, and some crew are set for the entire voyage to come. In three days, the students arrive and the 2009 Half Moon/Goodwin College Fresh River Voyage of Discovery will begin. Until then, the crew will clean and reprovision the ship -- and find some time to relax!