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Date: Sunday, October 6, 2002
Emerson College
Day 3 of 3

 
So 'A' Watch is up at 0400, hauling back the anchor with steady cracking away on the windlass. We’re underway by 0430, and by 0630 when all hands are up for breakfast, the foresail and jumbo are set and we’re rolling along toward Stellwagen bank in 4-7 foot seas, over 10 nautical miles already behind us. A few students are already feeling green. Breakfast, though delicious, is a temptation beyond the reach of many. All hands gamely turn to chores after breakfast, and at our all-hands muster, we resolve to keep all eyes peeled for signs of whales.

It’s not long after 0800 that our Trip Leader, valiant and brave on behalf of all of us, utters gestures of conciliation to a rowdy Neptune: Discretion is the better part of valor, and we’re really unlikely to spot whales in such rolling seas. Though it’s a gorgeous day, stomachs have to fight for equilibrium, and perhaps a future whale watch would prove more fruitful.

So we tack for Boston, and around 1030 our bow lookout calls Alan forward: "I saw a whale!" We all watch over the starboard rail as two finback whales cruise past us (at 250’ depth—not grazing on the banks today!), fairly close by, headed east/southeast. They spouted and showed us their backs and we were tickled!

MaryHelen offers a class in sailboat evolution/global navigation/sail theory to those on deck, midmorning. After lunch we’re weaving our way through Boston’s Harbor Islands, through Nantasket Roads and into Quincy Bay. We circumnavigated Peddocks Island. It’s calm seas for Field Day, for which we’re all grateful. Heading through the Harbor, we collect a sample of plankton for the class’s aquarium. Once at dock, students muster to sing a rousing chorus of "Lovely Ernestina" for their film, and our all-hands muster and Certificate ceremony are full of fun and a feeling of satisfaction with our expedition.

There is a reluctance to leave; a few interviews on camera of crewmembers, parting guitar lessons (crewmember Jay is picking up tips from Andy –see photo at right), hugs, and exchanges of email addresses. Several students have completed volunteer applications or requested information for volunteering. Whatever may come, we sure have fond memories and hope to sail for more with this gang!

Captain: Sophie Morse
Program Coordinator: MaryHelen Gunn

We would like to thank Lotus and IBM for donation of software, hardware and funding to enable regular electronic updates from the ship.

NOAA Chart is provided courtesy of Maptech using Cruising Navigator 4.3 and grabbing the image using Grabit Pro 6.02.

 
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Copyright 1997-2002
Schooner Ernestina
89 North Water Street, P.O. Box 2010, New Bedford, MA 02741-2010
phone 508.992.4900 -- fax 508.984.7719
www.ernestina.org

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