Log Entry No 4 - 16th June 08. (Discoverer)

FROM THE CAPTAINS CABIN

Holly working hard.

Since clearing Bermuda Discoverer has made steady progress northwards. Although we have on occasions been forced to resort to engine, we have in the main enjoyed some of the best and most challenging sailing of the leg. The winds have unhelpfully been predominantly northerly and as it has backed and veered repeatedly, so Discoverer has tacked to take best advantage of wind shifts, so as to make good our course. (Tacking is a series of zigzags that allow sailing boats to make progress into the wind. Each tack requires the crew to adjust sails and there is a frenzy of activity as sheets and stays are eased out, cast off, taken in and winched tight. In the confusion it is important for both safety and efficiency that crew remain alert and complete the sequence of events in the correct order.)

Not long after we successfully sent the last web log, the winds rose to a respectable force 5. Although formally described as a “fresh breeze”, the waves take on a more pronounced form with some spray and plenty of white horses. The on duty watch were called upon to take first one and then a second reef. Headsails were lowered and changed for smaller ones. (Taking a reef is the procedure used to reduce the size of the mainsail as the winds increase. In essence a simple set of drills, it requires the same teamwork and a clear head as tacking, with no little physical effort but this time, like a headsail change, instead of working in the relative comfort and safety of the cockpit when tacking, the procedures require the courage to work on a bouncing foredeck often exposed to breaking spray.) I hope though that you will understand the difficulty in accurately photographing this!

Manpower Jim & Dave.

Below decks, the mother watch faced greater challenges in producing breakfast and sleepy eyed crew were unable to enjoy the hitherto tranquillity of breakfast. Plates, bowls and drinks slid across the table dispersing contents over the more casual diners. There was more than one broken bowl in the resulting aftermath. It all acted as a gentle reminder that this is no holiday cruise and that the attending uncertainty of the sea and thus events is just one reason why this sort of training makes better soldiers and people. Discoverer and LTTA have, of course, seen all this before and will again but for the majority of her current crew it was a new experience, and one that they emerged from with credit. Sailors are by custom a suppositious lot and whilst I am not saying that the date, Friday 13 June, and weather were necessarily related, it does no harm to preserve the lore of the sea. In fact it acted as a dress rehearsal for more testing times.

In the late afternoon and early evening of the winds briefly fell down to the more recent norm and life aboard returned to normal. We were once more making progress under full main and Discoverer was back on an even keel. However in the early hours of Saturday morning, the winds once more rose to sufficient strength as to require the second reef again. This time to be applied in the dark.

Storm tossed sky at sunset.

By first light the winds had once more fallen and we were back to full sail. Saturday was much calmer and afforded the crew the opportunity to continue preparing their “homework”. Before departure from UK, Cpl Jim Smith prepared a file on historical sites and events in and around Boston. Each watch has been preparing a series of presentations on specific topics, which later today they will share with us all and add greatly to the time we have ashore in Boston and with His Majesties 10th Regiment of Foot in America (more of which later but if you can’t wait try “googling” them). In their “spare” time the crew are also individually preparing a slide show and talk on their experiences and memories. I know that they are looking for audiences, so please when you ask “what was it like?”, don’t be satisfied with a grunt of “OK”; instead sit back, enjoy and share the experience with them.

The wise made best use of Saturday because Sunday produced more wind and lumpy seas than any yet experienced on this leg. The wind officially reached force 7, colloquially described as a “yachtsman’s gale”. For the first time significant waves broke over Discoverer and even made their way far enough aft to run down into the cockpit and down the companion way into the cabin. Suitable chastised the hapless individual who left it open won’t be making that mistake again!! Once again and sharpened by their previous experience the crew rose admirably to the challenge. Reefs and headsail changes were successfully accomplished and I have no doubt that salty tales will abound.

Gary finds his sea legs.

As the winds once more subsided so we hit and crossed the Gulf stream. This strong current of warm water forms in the Caribbean and heads north up the US eastern seaboard before turning easterly off Chesapeake Bay and crossing the Atlantic bringing the warm waters across “the pond”. For us though it means a fall in temperature as we leave the warm waters of the tropics and Caribbean astern. Tonight the on watch crew are in full oilskins and talk is no longer of stuffy hot, airless cabins. Instead the US coastline lies less than 200 miles ahead. We are reserving our options (and your suspense) on exactly where we will make a landfall but I’ll sign off by saying we are ahead of schedule and America beckons!!

Richard Pattison
Expedition Leader

FROM THE CREW QUARTERS:

The view from the cockpit.

The last couple of days since leaving Bermuda have been the hardest days sailing in my opinion. We had a pretty strong wind which had kept us going at a steady 10 knots an hour. I loved helming the boat while it was on its side, but it made normal everyday stuff like washing and eating hard, sleeping though still came natural no matter how rough it got. My worst moment over the last 2 days was a sail change in the early hours while cruising along at about 8 knots, the waves were cascading over the foredeck and soaking the deck making it difficult to keep your balance. I look back now and just find it funny. It’s a brilliant experience and opportunity to be here and am grateful for every minute I am here.

Gunner Anthony Wells
Crew

Whilst in Bermuda I lost my sea legs so the last few days at sea I’ve been trying to overcome sea sickness yet again. The sea here is completely different to the tropical waters we were used to from Antigua to Bermuda, it’s a lot rougher and there’s far more wind. Over the last few days I’ve either been on watch, sleeping or planning my presentation for when we arrive in Boston. It’s been an enjoyable journey but very much looking forward to stepping off the yacht in Boston.

Private Gary Condie
Crew