Lots of rain yesterday afternoon, causing outdoor projects to move below decks or to be packed up and returned to another day. The weather made for exciting watches consisting of lots of sail handling. As the wind shifted from north as we sailed on the starboard tack, we wore ship, altering our course from westerly all around the clock to northwest as wind is now from the SW. The wind is normally from the east. It would seem strange that our destination is to the west yet we aren’t heading in that direction. With sailing you have to, so they say, “go where the wind takes you”. It would be similar to embarking on a road trip, coming to a closed off road and redirecting your route in order to reach your desired destination.
Ship’s work: The riggers were sent down from aloft yesterday afternoon due to the sideways rain. They return to their work today, replacing tacks and sheets on the courses. The sailmakers work up on the quarterdeck in the warm sun, happily stitching away the canvas of the new t’gallant sail. The inside head received a coat of primer, and the steering sweep, the oar the Monomoy coxswain uses to steer, received its Picton Castle label. Anders of Denmark is constructing a new wooden mallet made of Canadian pine. As Saturday carries on, projects are winding down and on-watch crew are able to catch up on their personal projects, sharpen their knives, keep up with their nautical studying or practice one of the many skills the Captain has taught us. This afternoon the Captain will continue his lessons on seizings. The biggest and most important task of today is prepping for Dawson’s 6th Birthday Party. He proudly handed out coloured invitations to all 44 persons onboard and is very excited to celebrate his big day with his Picton Castle family.
From: Mangareva
Towards: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Date: August 11th, 2018
Noon Position: 21°46.7′ S x 143°16.1′ W
Course + Speed: NW 1/2 N + 3.8 knots
Wind direction + Force: WxS + 4
Swell Height + Direction: 2m + WSW
Weather: Bright, Sunny
Day’s Run: 34.8nm
Passage Log: 472.2nm
Distance to Port: 923nm
Voyage: 7236.3nm
Sails Set: All square sails, main t’gallant stays’l, main topmast stays’l, mizzen topmast stays’l, mizzen stays’l, spanker and all heads’ls