There is plenty to do to get a ship like the Barque Picton Castle ready for winter in these northern climes as we are now tied up in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. You need to drain all sorts of pipes so they do not freeze. Shut off various through-hull fittings for much the same reason, some machinery lubed up, cover the wheel, engine controls, capstan, and windlass, get the decks oiled plenty, and paint what we can when we can. Get the heaters going back aft. Set the scullery up as a galley. Move the crew aft. Always check the hawsers for chafe and strain.
And send down the topgallant and royal yards. And spanker boom and gaff.
Why? Well, first of all, these are wooden spars. The remaining six yards are epoxy-painted steel. It would be better if they were undercover and had a chance of getting painted and varnished up after a thorough inspection as to their soundness, rather than getting pelted by rain, snow, hail, and sunlight all winter long aloft. Also, this is a good time to overhaul the foot ropes and the rest of the rigging. We have a new t’gallant yard in the works as well. Carpintero Dan started it in Cape Town on the last voyage. Nice job he did. We need ironwork for it, parrel bands, yard-arm bands, jack-stays, and sundry bolts.
Also, it is not a bad thing to reduce what we call ‘windage’ on the ship over the winter. Windage is what we call the force exerted by wind onto things like masts, spars, and ropes exposed. Less windage, less force of wind is better, over the winter. It is a good exercise in seamanship, and good for the crew to learn how to do this safely and effectively. Why not get a crane, one may ask? Plenty of good reasons. By doing the job ourselves it is safer and more under control. A crane is by necessity on the dock, and likewise, the yards are on the ship. The ship moves a little up and down and from side to side. The crane does not do this. Even the difference in movement of half an inch between these two massive things can be problematic when taking off or putting shackles on and such like up aloft. Sending down yards ourselves has all the gear in sync. Everything moves together – all nice and safe and easy. And good seamanship.
To that end Dustin, 2nd mate on this voyage just finished, outstanding seaman and leader of the crew, and 6-year veteran of many voyages in Picton Castle, showed up to guide our small gang in the niceties of sending yards, gaffs, and booms down properly and safely. Leading Pearce, Ally, Liv, and Nick, who had never done this job before, Dustin got all these down and safely on the dock in two days. Chief Engineer Julien even helped out, although it always makes me nervous when engineers show interest in rigging… Now we need to trundle them over to our spar shed in the warehouse a few docks down towards the east. There are other things to do as well before winter. Plenty of things.
