Alongside City Pier in New London...

Today is the commencement at the USCG Academy just up the Thames River here, and security is tight since President Bush is speaking to the graduates. Also there are ‘Boomers” coming in and out of Groton across the river.

We are sailing in company with the schooner Spirit of Massachusetts, a 19 year old replica of the Gloucester Fishing Schooner.

20 students from Christian Heritage will get the treat of sailing with us on the real thing, while 24 of their classmates will experience the 20th century version.

At 1000, after stowing their gear, and introductions, we set off in the cool drizzle. All hands set the 4 lowers just off the pier, and sailed past the great lighthouse at New London Ledge.

Students were split into 3 watches, and C watch took the deck while others received a complete orientation to the vessel.

The fog settled in after lunch, and the two schooners ‘pushed’ against the flood at the Race in the light SE breeze. The current max is at 3.5 knots and we made very little headway.

Mate Fred jigged for Stripers over Valiant Rock for over one  hour. Caught nothing....

Classes in Plankton, Navigation, and History were held below for the off watches.

At 1700  we motor-sailed through the Lords Passage into Fishers Island Sound.

Spirit followed claiming we were the best kind of depth sounder (Ernestina draws 12 feet, Spirit 10)

The wind remained light southerly, yet the forecast called for Northeast and building overnight. Both vessels anchored close to Stonington Point with their mainsails hanging on the halyards for the night.  Rained often so we kept the dories alongside, and students onboard and at anchor off Stonington with Schooner Spirit of Massachusetts close by.

We sailed a little today in rain and fog, but had to motor to finally get clear of the Race.

Program Coordinator: Rhonda Moniz
Captain: Willi Bank

Hauling up the Foresail (above left) and Mainsail (above right)

Coiling Down...

Spirit of Massachusetts gets underway in the background....

Dories are readied for an excursion...

Bearings are taken on landmarks...