Date: June 21, 2025
Location: Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Getting to Brockville, the first of several ports of the 2025 Great Lakes Tall Ships Challenge Festivals, lined up by Tall Ships America, is a big lift for the Atlantic vessels attending. (When & If & Pride of Baltimore II)
Three weeks of voyaging from Baltimore for Pride of Baltimore II. Nearly 1,800 nautical miles. Interrupted by a short visit in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. From there it is just over 900 nautical miles to Brockville via Clayton. At least 600 nautical miles strictly motoring up St. Lawrence River at 5 knots over the ground (6-7.5 knots boat speed through water) against current and the prevailing southwest head-winds for five full, steady engine-drone days. Climbing nearly 300 feet above sea level.
Had less than 100 gallons of fuel by arrival at Clayton, New York, for reentry to the USA, having come directly from Canada. Arrived at 3 PM the day before needing to arrive in Brockville. After all aboard were authorized clearance into the United States, having come direct from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada, everyone jumped-to doing laundry and assisting Cook Suzy shopping for groceries. Fuel would come first thing the next morning. With a loaned minivan from summertime Clayton resident Jim Kelsey, the evening logistics were actually feasible to get done between 4 PM and 7 PM. Followed by dinner of delivered pizza courtesy of current guest crew Donna Lyman.
After fueling, Friday was a pleasant down-current/down-river/down-
The kickoff of Brockville Tall Ships Festival was the usual Parade of Sail. Made actually fun by favorable breezes of moderate strength that all the visiting vessels took advantage of to show off in front of the crowded shoreline and spectator vessels. The parade plan was one and done. But the sailing was so nice every vessel did two laps and still moored up at the projected time.
Once secured alongside, Pride crew stowed sail, set gangway, hooked up electricity, had dinner, and went to the Captain’s Reception right alongside the ship. An area setup for food & drink and entertainment. I think the entertainment highlight was the drone show. No fireworks. Rather a very artistic lit drone show with music. Quite mesmerizing, I thought.
Starting at 9 AM today are two days of deck tours till 5 PM. With half the crew being hosts. The other half tomorrow. Monday, Pride returns to Clayton to re-enter USA and pick up some additional guest crew for the transit to Toronto and the next Festival next weekend.
Signed,
Jan C. Miles, Senior Captain
