0730 hours

Starting Position: Docked at King Marine in Verplanck, NY.
Latitude: 41˚ 15.2'
Longitude: 073˚ 58.0'
Port Watch Leader: Nora.

Day Four of the Half Moon's voyage from East Hartford, CT to Hudson, NY.

0830 hours

After a fun night of shore leave and fireworks, the crew steel themselves to return to duty on board the ship.

1030 hours

We spend the morning at King Marine, performing general upkeep on the ship while we wait for the tide. Our special guests, Marco Burmester and Corey Kilgannon, will take their while we're here in port, as will crew members Howland Robinson and Patrick Wolfe, who have commitments elsewhere.

As for those crew members staying on board, we dive into a nice, soapy deck wash.

We make sure to clean the outer wales and channels as well. We can feel the humidity building throughout the day, so the deck wash will not only clean the ship but also help cool it down.

Mouse over to see the results.

1045 hours

We also dispatch crew to inspect the dock at King Marine and replace any boards that we notice are wearing out. We enjoy performing maintenance during our stays here; just part of our way of saying thanks to Randy King.

1200 hours
Starboard Watch Leader: Jack.

Local shore support Corey Cumming has stopped by to assist us -- and for a midday social visit. Having spent the morning taking Patrick out shopping for provisions, she's now getting to know the new crew before she whisks Marco and Patrick off to the train station.

And yes, you're getting another preview of Swantje Crone's art gallery!

We're also still hard at work on our project of applying a fresh coat of wood preservative to the masts. The mizzen mast is now finished, so Ewout straps Nick into a bosun's chair and hoists him up to start work on the main mast.

1215 hours

Down in the galley, Jack has volunteered to step into the role of ship's cook, so Patrick briefs him while their galley assistants prepare sandwiches for lunch.

1230 hours

We missed our other departing sailors, but we can at least pause to wish Mr. Wolfe good travels.

We also wave farewell to Corey Cumming, who then escorts Patrick and Marco back to shore.

1315 hours

One last task before we prepare to leave: lunch! Under new management, the galley decides that our remaining stock of pies is better eaten now than later. The official ration: All you can eat.

1400 hours

We cast off our lines and continue north, knowing that this time it'll only be a few months before we return to King Marine.

1415 hours

There's no wind to speak of today, so we're traveling under motor as we approach Peekskill.

Mouse over for the big picture.

1445 hours

Evi has landed the current shift in the bosun's chair. As you can see, we've progressed quite far.

As we round to port, the Hudson Highlands loom before us.

Meanwhile, some of the off-duty crew escapes the heat and sun by relaxing in the foc's'le, which seems positively spacious now that we've removed the science gear.

Jack is already up to his elbows in his new role as ship's cook.

1515 hours

We are now approaching Bear Mountain Bridge, the southern gateway to the Hudson Highlands.

Bear Mountain is so named because its silhouette somewhat resembles that of a sleeping bear -- though it's a bit hard to tell from this angle.

1530 hours

When the weather is fierce -- be it hot and sticky or cold and damp -- the galley is never at a loss for helpers. While chopping vegetables for tonight's salad, Evi pauses for a spa treatment.

We set the courses while we pass through the Highlands, not because we hope to sail (what little wind there is to be found is actually backing against us, as you can see), but rather just to get in some additional sail handling practice.

1615 hours

We are now passing West Point, site of our recent 15-gun salute during River Day.

1630 hours

Directly across the river from West Point (a locale known as World's End, the deepest section of the Hudson River by far) lies historic Constitution Island, which hosted the Half Moon during our transit voyage before River Day.

We prepare a salute as we pass by. "Get the ember hot!"

Mouse over to give fire!

Lisa takes the position of Assistant Gunner for this falconet salute.

"Give fire!"

1645 hours

As we pass out of the Highlands, we find Alex still hard at work on his marlinspike project. We'll take a closer look tomorrow.

1800 hours

Our initial plan for this evening was simply to anchor off the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge, but thanks to some last-minute conversation while we were underway, we will instead return to Newburgh for the night.

1815 hours

The waterfront is nice and active tonight. Even without any advance warning, a small crowd is still present to watch our approach.

Nick and Sanne step onto the dock to handle our lines, and the ship is soon secure.

Ending Position: Docked at the Town Pier in Newburgh, NY.
Latitude: 41˚ 30.2' N
Longitude: 074˚ 00.3' W

1900 hours

Jack serves his first official meal as ship's cook: chicken stir-fry and rice.

It's a good meal, and good thing, too -- we have a special dinner guest. Betsy McKean is our in Newburgh, responsible both for arranging our week of tours here last November and for permitting us to set our lines here tonight.

Mouse over to thank Betsy McKean.

2015 hours

As Betsy steps back onto shore, we see her off with a round of applause.

We'll throw in a bit of good news for any Newburgh readers: It's just been confirmed that the Half Moon will return to Newburgh this year for another round of public and school tours, most likely once again in the first week of November.

2030 hours

As the sun sets, some of the crew step on shore to sample the Newburgh waterfront. Before they go, however, we set up our tarps; the weather forecast warns that heavy rains will arrive in the night.

Next Time: Alles is Nat.