On this beautiful South Pacific morning a group of eager star-sighters gathered on the quarterdeck at 0630, sextants in hand, hoping for good star sights to fix our position. Yesterday an all hands muster was ordered at 1400 to set the stuns’ls. Our chief mate Erin of Bermuda explained the gear and the process of setting the outboard sails and the importance of acting quickly, especially when taking them in. A few hands were recruited to assist with the hauling as others were able to excitedly look on from the main hatch. The sails were sent up without a hitch, all were very pleased, and we gained almost a knot in speed!
Ship’s work continued this morning, coming to a close about mid-day. Val of British Columbia, Canada stitched a beautiful tropical fabric patch in the lower stuns’l. Our Lunenburg Dory Shop-built dory Sea Never Dry’s interior is freshly painted tropical blue – a favoured colour by most of the crew on board. At 1300 we set the stuns’ls again, trying to gain speed in order to get to Pitcairn. Not only are we beyond excited about the arrival, we are just as thrilled to unload the Pitcairn cargo that is taking up about half of the space in our cargo hold. Before leaving New Orleans, ship’s purser Tammy, Maggie from our Lunenburg office, and assistant purser Annie, shopped for the Pitcairner’s wish lists; including riding lawn mowers x3, mattresses, garden tools, clothes and much more. Seeing as Amazon Prime doesn’t deliver to Pitcairn, our crew loaded the cargo into the hold and packed it neatly away. We imagine as soon as we get close, the Pitcainers will be alongside in their big longboats ready to receive their goods and welcome us.
At 1430 today Tony, of England, is hosting a talent show rehearsal, in order to rehearse the haka, sea shantys and dances we plan to perform for our hosts. Weather on the horizon looks promising, everyone is looking forward to a fun-filled weekend on board.
From: Galapagos
Towards: Pitcairn
Date: July 14 2018
Noon Position: 21-37S / 123-18W
Course + Speed: SW at 4.5 knots
Wind direction + Force: ENE + Force 4
Swell Height + Direction: Many swells, large southerly swell, moderate NEly wind swell
Weather: Fair and partly cloudy
Day’s Run: 114 nautical miles
Passage Log: 2332 nm
Distance to Port: 426 nm
Voyage: 5,780 nm
Sails Set: All square sails and stuns’ls too!