Ships Work: Last night’s stormy squalls kept the 12-4 and 4 – 8 watches on their toes. Heavy rain and wind mixed with thunder and lightning eventually ended with the Captain deciding to heave-to for a bit of a respite from the weather. We did this to stay on the good current, and made better …
Ship’s Work: All hands muster yesterday at 1615 for an insight into the advantages and disadvantages of a square rigger vs a schooner and an introduction on how to tack a barque. After the workshop the crew tacked the ship from a southeasterly course to a northeasterly course. This morning the ship’s work continues as …
Passed Cuba last night at dusk, then south into the Caribbean Sea. Small seas, light winds, lots of stars as the North Star keeps sinking towards the horizon. Ship’s Work: The ship’s day time work begins at sunrise or 6:00 AM, whichever comes second. Every morning, the 4-8 on watch starts the new day off …
May 10, 2018 The day comes in fair and mild. Small seas. Light force 3 breezes out of the ESE. Yards against the backstays on the port tack, all canvas set and drawing. Helmsman sailing by-the-wind and making about south by half east (175). A small flying fish has landed aboard the Picton Castle during …
Ship’s work: At 0800 fore and main royals were set by the oncoming and off coming watches. Another gorgeous day aboard the Picton Castle. An egret bird has made refuge on deck, taunting our ship’s cat Fiji. Our sailmaker, John, from Boston, mends a spare royal sail, while his favourite sailmaker’s bench is getting an …
Ship’s work: A sun filled blue sky morning, we couldn’t ask for more pleasant sailing weather. The well deck is sprinkled with remnants of saw dust and wood shavings, as the bosun and assistants are busy upgrading the forward head. At the aft end of the ship the sail maker is pleasantly hand seaming together …
Ship’s work: After a day of “make and mend” Sunday’s rest the crew are back at it on their watches. A beautiful blue sky sunny day with a sweet breeze, all hands are turning to for some useful jobs. Sounds of chipping away rust, wire brushing metal, lathering tar on the shrouds smells great across …
May 7, 2018 We are having a fine passage to the Caribbean Sea from New Orleans here in the Picton Castle. The ship is at 26-37N and 087-40W and about 250 miles SE of that enchanting city. We have a good warm NNW wind abeam to port. A good fair wind it is indeed. Strong …
Ship’s work: Sundays at sea consist of no ship’s work, the sail maker and bosun can rest their hands, the cook can sleep in as we look after cooking for the day and the on watch crew can work on their personal projects, yet are always standing by on deck for sail handling. At 0900 …
First full day at sea under sail after much training and drilling. Warm, light northerly winds as we make our way towards the westernmost point of Cuba and on to Panama. Ship’s work: Continued chipping away at the windlass. Bending on mended main t’gallant staysail. Sailmaker John Gareri vigourously seaming together the lower topsail that …
