Log Entry No 5 - 26th June 08. (Discoverer)FROM THE CAPTAINS CABIN 
I have kept you in suspense for rather longer than I had intended and for that my apologies. I suspect that those of you closest to Discoverer’s crew will already have heard but for the remainder our landfall was Martha ’s Vineyard, although time and US Custom regulations prevented us landing. We came through the Cape Cod Canal thereby shortening our journey and at the same time allowing us a first detailed glimpse of America. One is immediately struck by the greenery and how at odds the landscape is with the typical television or film set. Our Blue Ensign singled us out and we attracted greater attention than most yachts or indeed than we probably merit. Never the less it would be wrong to deny or begrudge the legitimate pride felt by Discoverer’s crew as they basked in the moment. The northern end of the canal is only about 4-5 hours from Boston but there were practical difficulties in making straight there. Instead we hatched a plan to spend the night in Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod. Little did we realise that this two would create practical difficulties. There followed an interesting debate by radio and telephone between the US Coastguard and US Customs officials as to whether US Customs would clear us for entry. In the end the Customs officials prevailed and we were required to stand off until first light before making an entry into Boston. That evening we watched another beautiful sunset and then “hove to” (stopping the yacht under sail) for the night under a full moon. In the early morning we watched as the sun rose and illuminated the grey twilight into a sunlit panorama as the coast and entrance to Boston Harbour (or Harbor) slowly revealed itself. The entrance is not overly demanding but it does require concentration and care to navigate through te channels and shoals that lie at its mouth. Cpl Jim Smith, who until 8 months ago had never sailed and is now on the cusp of qualifying as a day skipper navigated us through flawlessly. Much relived he too was eventually able to join the crew on deck to savour the moment. Shortly after 1000hrs Discoverer lay alongside in a US Coast Guard facility. Customs clearance was completed in less than a minute, without a customs officer!! Our arrival being cleared as a visiting British military vessel. First impressions of the Coast Guard facility were a maze of buildings and corridors but from the very moment we landed we could not have been made to feel more welcome, nothing was too much trouble and every assistance and facility was extended to us. There is of course a natural desire to rush off and explore but before doing so there is of course work to be done!! Discoverer had first to be unloaded and cleaned thoroughly. Not withstanding this we did manage the odd foray into Downtown Boston, a particularly easy thing to do as te Coast Guard facility lies in the very heart of South End. In the last log I briefly introduced His Majesties 10th Regiment of Foot in America. The regiment recreate the 10th of Foot which was a British Infantry Regiment stationed in Boston during the American War of Independence. Fast forwarding 200 years through history and the 10th became the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment and then The Royal Anglian Regiment, or to be precise 2 R ANGLIAN. Today there is a strong association between 2 R ANGLIAN an d His Majesties 10th Regiment of Foot in America. By good fortune our arrival coincided with a major re-enactment of The battle of Monmouth Court House, one of the battles fought between the protagonists 230 years ago. The 10th collect us and transported us to the battlefield site (about an hour and a half south of New York). For the weekend we were immersed in the late 18th centaury. Authentic campsites and equipment were our home. Some were even dressed in the period. “Redcoats” marched about camp. In all there was a British Army of some 300 strong (and a Colonial Army of about twice that). Twice over the weekend the armies clashed and re-enacted the last major engagement of the war, although the American’s retained the field, they had not prevented the British from moving on to New York and history recalls the outcome as inconclusive. The enactment afford us a unique opportunity and insight into the period and we all returned to Boston with a much improved knowledge of the war and the surrounding events. Further details can be obtained from Holly who gave an excellent presentation on the battle to an audience from re-enactors. Back in Boston, itself a seat of the Revolution we were able to build on this, by visiting many of the sites on the freedom trail that featured in the run up to the war. The trail links many of the early colonisation sites with revolutionary and post revolutionary sites. This included a very interesting tour of The USS CONSTITUTION, a frigate built in 1793 and today the worlds oldest continuously commissioned warship. Unlike HMS Victory or the Cutty Sark she is afloat. It hasn’t all been play because as well as R&R (with no legal drinking for under 21’s and ID required in pubs)) crew members have finalised and practiced their presentations, all of which have reached a very high standard and allow them to share their experiences with a wider audience. As the crew prepare to fly home, it is fitting that they conclude their final log. For my part they have been a pleasure to sail with. A month ago none had sailed, yet alone made an ocean passage, none had visited the West Indies, Bermuda or Boston, few knew much about the Revolutionary war. They arrived as 9 individuals and left as one team. I have seen them develop as soldiers and people, better equipped to face their future military and civilian lives. I firmly believe that they will view life from a new perspective with broader more challenging horizons, above all they have a new found confidence in their own ability. Mums, dads (and basic training staff) can all be proud of them. Richard Pattison FROM THE CREWS QUARTERS Last run to Boston - By White Watch (Matt, Dean, Gaz & Ant) There was less than 24 hours to go, the crew were preparing to hang up their sea legs as we were sailing through Cape Cod canal through to providence town where we would stay the night before the final push to Boston. The crew were all set for a short break in providence town, when the customs came over the radio explaining that we could not stay overnight in Providence town and that we would have to sail to Boston or Rhode island. Then due to the fact that there was a ship berthed in our spot at Boston until Wednesday morning we couldn’t go there either so we made the decision that we would stay in the waters just outside Providence town until the early hours of Wednesday morning then have a slow cruise into Boston.
Throughout the night we were just constantly tacking the boat because the winds were too strong to stay afloat in the same spot.
We must have gone up and down past Providence town at least five times before the skipper gave the nod to make the final leg into Boston Harbour.
Once we arrived in the Boston US Coast Guard’s harbour we were given a warm welcome by USCG officials and a member of the re-enactment organisation from the 10th of foot. After a quick final word from our skipper and watch leaders we did a few quick jobs on the boat, went over our watch presentations and got shown the facilities around the camp. After the meal we had a crew get together, chilled out and all shared a feeling of accomplishment. Battle of Monmouth Weekend - ByRed Watch (Jim, Dave & Holly) 
This weekend was amazing, from the incredible welcome and hospitality that came from our hosts the 10th regiment of foot, to the information and experience we all gathered from being involved in such a well organised event. Dave, Dean and Dougie set off from Boston at 5 O’clock in the morning to meet the CO of the 10th Regiment of Foot, while others set off later on but we all arrived in the late hours of Friday night some later than others but all high spirited and pleased to sit around a camp fire and share a few conversations with some extremely interesting people. 
We were woken the next morning by the traditional rhythm of Drums and fifes, ready for a definitely different day. Dougie, Dean and Dave got to get fully involved, Dean and Dave were kitted out with British officers Uniforms from the era and Dougie as a well to do gentleman. Others were able to walk around talking to numerous characters and seeing the stalls that all entwined with the era, such as clothing stores, weapon stores and household practical stores. Later in the afternoon whilst our host were preparing for battle, we were positioned right on the field where the battle would take place, so we were able to see the thick of the action, whilst Dave, Dean and Dougie were in the middle of the action carrying the regimental colour for the 10th regiment of foot they were very tired by the end of the day from running around all afternoon in 90 degree heat. Muskets and cannons firing and a commentary was being told in the background. As night fell we retired once again to the camp fire, where everyone was lifted from the day’s events. Dinner was superb; in fact every meal was considering it was cooked to the exact way it would’ve been back in the 1700’s. With spirits in the highs, songs were sung and music was played, beautifully on a solo fife and a harmonica. On Sunday the battle took place once again and after the battle we made a donation to help get their regimental colours back which were unfortunately stolen. After the presentation we packed all the tents away and set off on the long journey to Boston, we all had a great weekend and hope to keep in contact with the 10th regiment of foot via www.redcoat.org
By Blue watch (Tom, Lisa, Dougie & Liam) 
Overall the expedition has been challenging but enjoyable. We have stopped off at some lovely countries, Antigua, Bermuda and finally Boston. It was good to stop off as we met some important people, and it also broke the trip up. We had some rough weather but most of the time it was clear and sunny. The first part of the expedition was challenging in itself as we had to work as a team even though we didn’t know each other. We managed it well though. We were split into 3 watches, on watch, off watch and mother watch. It was hard to adjust to the sleeping pattern as we were getting woken up for watch every 4 hours to go on watch. When we were on mother watch we would cook all the meals and clean the boat, the good thing about mother watch is that you had a full nights sleep. Whilst on watch we would helm the yacht, put different sails up if needed, put reefs in the main sail, to reduce wear and tear, and also put the headsail and staysail up if needed. Sometimes on watches we wouldn’t do much but then there were others were we didn’t stop. The whole aim of the expedition was to improve our leadership skills we did this by giving presentations to the rest of the crew and also through sailing. |