Though we did find the North Easterlies, they are not steady yet. Last night the breeze died away almost completely. As there is still some swell running we had to take in the Fore & Aft sails and haul up the Courses in order to keep them from slatting against the rig. We are also keeping the Studding Sails in at night until the crew have gotten used to handling them.
About 10 this morning a Northerly breeze filled in and we quickly proceeded to set all sail – a flurry of activity involving the on watch, daymen and any bystanders on deck. Both Courses set at once and many of the Fore & Aft being set as the Studding Sails began to fly up into the rigging. By late afternoon the breeze became fresh and we had to start reducing sail and stayed so for the night.
SHIP’S WORK: Greasing rounds aloft; end for end STBD Mainsail tack; fair and prime charthouse dutchman; begin quarterdeck dutchman; inspect and overhaul mousings and whippings aloft; continue overhaul of the Mizzen cranelines; begin slushing wire standing rigging; coatings on port anchor; re-stretch head lashings on all Studding Sails; Sailmakers continue roping on new Flying Jib and begin becketts on head and tack as well as begin repair work on Spanker ‘B’.
FROM: La Rochelle, France
TOWARDS: Quebec, Canada
TIME ZONE: GMT
NOON POSITION: 29°13’N / 024°37’W
DAYS RUN: 74nm
PASSAGE LOG: 1739nm
DISTANCE REMAINING: 2985nm
COURSE AND SPEED: W x S, 4kts
WIND: N, Force 3
WEATHER: Sunny, air temp: 24°C, water temp: 23°C
SWELL HEIGHT & DIRECTION: N’rly, 2ft
SAILS SET: All Sail