Archives for June 2019

Date: Friday, June 21, 2019
Time: 1100 hours EDT
Position: abeam of the port of Rimouski, Quebec, St Lawrence River
Sails Set: foresail, staysail, jib, square-fore-topsail, topgallant, and jib-topsail
Conditions: foggy, damp, and cool with NE wind of around 15 knots
Speed Over Ground: 3+ knots

Sailing without mainsail and main-gaff-topsail due to the wind being dead aft. Such a situation risks jibing the mainsail unintentionally. Not enough room in the river to jibe downwind due to the maritime traffic separation scheme. If there was the room for jibing downwind and jibing timed for change of the watch, we could go faster and cover more distance toward the destination without tiring crew. Jibing every hour or two would be tiring. However not being able to cross the traffic scheme except at ninety-degree angles does not cause a delay. We got ahead of the minimum speed needed early on. Some of that time in the bank remains. Thus we are able to keep sailing dead downwind with no jibing for now.

We are squeezing out as much sailing as can be done to ensure ample fuel for the 84 hours of motoring it likely will be before arrival Clayton, NY.

The higher water in the Great Lakes is creating some mischief for St Lawrence River navigation between Quebec City & Montreal as well the Seaway Lock System between Montreal and the Thousand Islands. Word is there is higher than usual river current due to more water spilling out of the Great Lakes.

Forecast for today indicates the current favorable NE winds we are experiencing are expected to weaken later today.

I am thinking there is motoring for the next 4 days starting later today.

Captain Jan C. Miles

Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Time: 1100 hours EDT
Position: Passing along the north side of the Gaspé Peninsula
Status: Motoring
Conditions: Calm

The weather in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has been very light since Monday. What wind there has been, has been contrary. Sometimes enough to sail close-hauled from near along the southeastern shore of Anticosti Island over to mid-gulf between the Magdalen Islands and east tip of Gaspé. Thence, up toward the northwest and around that eastern tip of Gaspé.

Have been motoring along the north coast of Gaspé Peninsula since early this morning. Forecast from Canada indicates there might be some sailing soon with more contrary winds of light to moderate strength from the southwest. Then later on, after another light & variable wind period, wind from the northeast. It would be helpful to get some more sailing along our route accomplished before having to commit to only motoring when the extra time runs out. The more sailing in the right direction that can be done, the greater the fuel reserves will be for the paddle up the river past Quebec City and Montreal, and on in to Lake Ontario.

Captain Jan C. Miles

Date: Monday, June 17, 2019
Time: 1100 EDT
Position: In the middle of Cabot Strait’s narrowest part
Speed: Close to 7 knots; motor sailing by one engine with 4 lowers (mainsail, foresail, staysail, jib), main-gaff-topsail, square-fore-topsail, and jib-topsail set
Conditions: Fog, with a light southeast breeze

Pride was able to sail most of the way from near the Halifax traffic separation scheme to the southeastern side of Cape Breton Island, a distance of 247 nautical miles. How much is most of the way? Motoring was only about 4 hours and 20 nautical miles during a no-wind situation near dawn Sunday morning. So, sailed 227 miles; from around early afternoon Saturday to midnight Sunday, except for the little bit of motoring early Sunday morning.

Since midnight last night, have been motoring northward into Cabot Strait. First with no wind and two engines after taking in all sail forward of the mainmast. Then with one engine after resetting this morning sails forward of the mainmast. All except the t’gallant and studding sail.

The sailing from near Halifax was almost all at great speed — more than 8 knots much of the time and quite a bit around 10 knots. Such favorable wind was an opportunity to get east without consuming fuel before the turn north. We could have turned north sooner and gone through the Strait of Canso. But with a persistent favorable southwest wind along the coasts of both Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, I decided to skip going through the Strait of Canso, which would have meant dropping the favorable wind for significant motoring through the strait, then meeting no wind or contrary wind as Pride exited the strait northbound into the lower Gulf of St. Lawrence. By continuing to sail east with the favorable and fresh southwesterly, my hope was to at least find light southeasterlies forecast for today in Cabot Strait. If light enough to force motoring to keep speed up, would mean most economical motoring with sails also up for capturing the southeasterlies. If stronger wind, maybe only sailing and still keep speed up.

Passing through the Gulf of St. Lawrence is always a matter of timing. Would there be usable wind? Going via the Strait of Canso would be okay this time because of either no wind or light contrary wind. However, going via Cabot Strait offered the chance of having favorable winds for longer.

True, it is a longer distance to go around Cape Breton Island. But if not using fuel and making good speed, the longer distance is not a net loss. Might actually be a net gain. Meaning little to no fuel used going east. Conserving it for going north and eventually west. While the Canso option would also mean no fuel going east this time around. But it would be more fuel expended going north than was likely to happen by the longer Cabot Strait route because of the chance of light favorable wind to keep resistance of the rig from being a factor while motoring.

Forecasting for waters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence indicates tomorrow will bring northwest wind. If we can get through Cabot Strait and some bit into the Gulf, there will be sea room for sailing close hauled toward the north with the new northwest wind. Come Wednesday the northwest wind is supposed to weaken and swing toward the west. And is forecast to die off later Wednesday. And be followed Thursday by weak south, southeasterly, and easterly breezes. More motoring. But again with reduced resistance. And maybe a chance to sail around the north side of Gaspé Peninsula.

We shall see what we shall see.

Captain Jan C. Miles

Date: Saturday, June 15, 2019
Time: 2000 EDT
Speed: 9 knots
Heading: 100 degrees magnetic
Sails Set: All plain sail (mainsail, foresail, staysail, jib, and square-fore-topsail), upper sails (main-gaff-topsail, topgallant, jib-topsail), and studding sail

The parade of three ships out of Lunenburg was well attended by those ashore. There were a number of smaller vessels in the harbor to escort. Bluenose II started out first after backing away from her pier and motoring out to set her sail in the outer bay. Followed by Pride of Baltimore II. She sailed away from her pier at Adams & Knickle. Foresail set first. Then dock lines taken in orderly fashion so as to prevent drifting into the neighboring fish boat moored at the next dock. As soon as dock lines were taken, the square-fore-topsail was set. Followed by the forestaysail. When out in the harbor a bit, two cannon salutes, one to port and one to starboard. As we passed Picton Castle at anchor in the harbor, Pride crew set the jib, then the mainsail. Picton Castle hauled back her anchor and motored up to windward a bit before turning to her left to catch the wind with her sails and head on out to the outer bay. At the entrance to Lunenburg, Pride saluted twice again, one to each side.

The three ships rendezvoused again for another photo op, then separated, following their own natures for getting on with voyaging toward the Great Lakes.

As it so happened, they came together again mid afternoon. All three were passing by Halifax outside the perimeter of the maritime traffic separation scheme. As the three merged a bit, and turned eastward together around the outer perimeter of the traffic scheme, the wind went further fair so Pride’s crew set the studding sail. The main-gaff-topsail, topgallant-sail and jib-topsail had earlier been set.

As the sun heads toward setting, the three vessels are advancing in sorta company. They won’t remain close for long. Each has a different way. We may see each other for a bit after dark. But likely not. As is always with ships, they are in company only for a period of time. Depending on speed and direction, that time could be lengthy or not. Always, after a time they separate completely. Each an isolated society. Doing what they do. In the manner that suits them best. And so they pass by each other, as is the nature of ships.

Captain Jan C. Miles