Not surprisingly, we have been getting questions on when we expect our Barque Picton Castle to set sail on this, our long anticipated, great adventure of a world circumnavigation. A good question it is. After months of preparation and anticipation we were well on track to sail right about now, mid-November, then we hit a […]
Lunenburg area friends, as you go through your closets to put away your summer clothes, please think of Picton Castle. We are about to embark on a voyage around the world, visiting many remote islands and ports along the way. Many of these places only receive supplies a few times a year, so when
Regarding Hurricane Fiona now past. After extensive preparations with extra hawsers and massive chafe gear we were as ready as we could be for a hurricane here in Lunenburg. The winds picked up after dark. As did the rain. Starting around midnight It blew hard and harder – and cold – all through the night.
Hurricane Fiona has done some serious damage in the West Indies and is now heading our way. It has increased in intensity on its way here. We are looking at stiff gale force Northerlies blowing off the land starting tonight and plenty of rain. We are well protected from Northerlies in Lunenburg Harbour. No
After slamming Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Turks & Caicos islands, Hurricane Fiona is headed towards Nova Scotia by way of Bermuda. It looks like the eye of the storm will pass over the eastern end of mainland Nova Scotia this side of Cape Breton Island. What does this mean to us here? This is
When I mentioned in the last Captain’s Log that “a freeing port had been torn off in storm”, I have been asked to point out that the storm in question was while we were at the dock and not at sea. Just to be clear…. Onward… Sometimes it rains but mostly we have been having
We are going to sea! Getting the Barque Picton Castle ready for blue-water. Loving up the ship. After three years of being tied up hard and quietly alongside the wharf in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia during this worldwide pandemic, the stately square-rigger we love, Picton Castle, is now swarming with activity once again, gearing up for
Picton Castle is a sail training tall ship best known for extended international voyages to exotic ports and islands. Trainee crew, who require no previous sailing experience before signing on, join the ship for an adventure at sea and to learn seamanship skills while working together under the guidance of the professional crew to sail
Now Hiring – Picton Castle Operations Assistant (9-month term) Read More »
My first vessel of any significance was the Brixham Trawler Ketch MAVERICK under Captain Jack Carstarphen. She was engaged as an island windjammer sailing in the British Virgin Islands. The year was 1972, I was 18 and keen to get back the Caribbean islands of my childhood and go to sea in island schooners of
Last week on Monday, students from Canada, the United States, Denmark, Ireland and Germany arrived in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada for the start of the summer session of Bosun School. Between them, they’ve sailed in vessels including Pelican of London, Lewis R. French, Appledore II, Friendship of Salem, Brian Boru, Maybe, Atyla, Alvei, Danmark, Spike
