Author: Patrick Smith

Photo: A tradition in recent years, the crew gathered for a quick end-of-season photo. From left to right: Chief Mate Jeff Crosby, Phil Keenan, Joe Byington, Shevawn Innes, David Stolz, Chad Lossing, James Rogers, Blake Lowry, Captain Jan Miles.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Today is the last day of layup work by Pride’s 2020 liveaboard seasonal sailing crew. At the end of this day, when layup preparation is complete, the liveaboard crew will be heading toward futures not clear, except that they know where they will be sleeping ashore.

The process of protecting the ship for this long-term layup is without much mystery. Every winter layup includes covering the ship to protect her from direct sunlight and precipitation. The ship was already in winter layup when the decision for continuing into a long-term layup was forced for the rest of that year of 2018. A never-before layup spanning more than a full calendar year. A lot was learned after that layup about what happens to the ship for any layup that includes summer months.

Passive ventilating, under the well-ventilated design of the sun and rain blocking ship’s cover that we use every winter between active sailing seasons, is not adequate during summer layup months for preventing mold buildup down below nor plank seams opening up more than they do during short winter layups. During the summer, unlike during winter months, the average wind speed is much reduced and the humidity is much increased. While the ship’s cover protects from direct sunlight and precipitation, the low-velocity summer winds are not enough to stir air down below, as do winter winds flowing through the cover over deck openings. The lesson we learned is that it requires artificial wind under the cover and inside the ship to reduce the chance of growing mold down below. So, this time around for this summer layup, there are numerous fans moving air on deck, down below, and even in the bilges.

To reduce plank seam opening through this extended summer layup ahead of the normal winter layup, there will be regular wetting of deck and topside plank seams. Two to three times a week, we think. This will be a significantly time-consuming activity. Likely each wet down will take a couple of hours.

Knowing well in advance the decision to lay up the ship for this pandemic year, extra time was taken to cover Pride’s big lower masts with extra coats of protecting oil, plus a “holding coat” of glossy/reflective varnish. The crew also soaked additional tar on the exposed parts of the wire standing rigging that is covered with tarred marlin. The ten-foot-tall (long) tops of the lower masts, the doublings, as we call them because of the overlap between lower end of topmasts and upper end of lower masts (hence the term doubling), are painted black and apt to get pretty hot from the sun. This leads to the growth of small checks in the painted surface through the increased heat. The black painted areas at the top of the big lower masts have been given “shade” from the sun by a covering system that provides an air space between the shade cover and the black painted mast doublings. The shade is installed in a fashion estimated to be robust for the significant wind speeds that can occur at the height of the doublings.

We also hang a sun-blocking skirt between ship’s cover and the waterline on the starboard side every layup. This became important during the shorter length wintertime layups because of the orientation of the ship. She is moored pointed east. All winter long, her starboard side was receiving daily doses of direct sunlight and we observed seams opening in some parts of her topside planking over the relatively short winter. The skirting reduced the amount of opening to nearly no opening at all. Except for occasions of a full summer layup. A fair amount of compensating caulking and replacement seam compound above the waterline was required before sailing after the first full year of layup. This time round, we hope periodic wetting will be effective at reducing, if not preventing, seams from opening, such as we observed during the last summertime layup.

Last time (in 2018), the long-term layup was due to an unforeseen extreme budget shortfall that not only laid the ship up, but laid off all the senior marine staff and nearly all of the full-time company staff. This time, the layup cause is the global pandemic. With state legislature support for a span of five years that started late 2018 and an active staff since early 2019 raising funds and earning grants, as well as developing direct ship use income, there are funds for keeping the company running through the rest of this year. However, not enough to keep the ship sailing. Thus the staff will be able to continue to make plans for next year’s campaigning of the ship. Meanwhile, the company will also keep key senior marine staff employed for assisting with planning while also caring for and maintaining the ship. Hence this layup will include ship maintenance as well as increased attention to preservation while we all await sailing again next year.

Maintenance that will occur between the bit of sailing done this year and the plan for a full season next year will include a number of unessential desires. Like replacing the galley counter around the galley sink due to the accumulation of water contamination of the end grain of galley counter wood. There will also be some detailed cosmetic care in the galley. This layup will also provide some time that is hard to set aside during winter layups between fully active sailing seasons for making replacement blocks rather than purchasing new. “Shipkeeper” Chief Mate Jeff Crosby’s highly skilled carpentry will be put to use creating jigs for standardizing the making of block-shell pieces that can be assembled into shells of blocks. It will be a relatively simple matter of shifting sheaves and sheave-pins to the newly assembled shells. Leaving future sailing crew to re-strop new blocks when it is time to replace the old shells. (Easy for me to say … eh?)

Meanwhile, I hope all the departing crew and you readers of these logs remain diligent.

Signed,

Jan C. Miles
Senior Captain

Photo: Pride II sailing with a full hat of wind near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Sandy Point Light, May 12, 2020, courtesy of Susan Hale.

May 20, 2020

To protect lives, we are tying up Pride of Baltimore II for the rest of 2020.

Before I get into the tying-up bit … an interesting reality was realized by all crew on the way to this tie-up.

For the first time ever, crew physical soreness and exhaustion was felt greatly and simultaneously by all during the four-day shakedown cruise last week. Torso soreness for everyone, as well as arm and hand, along with hand blisters all around. I cannot recall such inclusiveness of exhaustion and soreness throughout the whole crew for any past beginning of a sailing season. However, this year is unique for all the world, as well for Pride and her crew. Rig-up was completed by mid-March, in plenty of time for long-planned shipboard public events surrounding Maryland Day. But canceled near the eve of those plans to protect lives from the risk of infection. We were able to get a couple of crew-only shakedown sails done before recreational boating was stopped, soon after Maryland Day, for more than five weeks. Pride crew shifted into maintenance. Got a lot done. The type of projects that are planned for winter lay-ups, but priorities seem to regularly shift such projects to the bottom of the to-do list by higher priority projects. One very good example during this spring was a complete cleaning and preparing and painting of the two 3304 Caterpillar engines Pride has. But guess what? As hard working as the crew were at maintenance projects for the more than five week-long tied-up period, there are muscles not used that normally get used during an up-rig. So, with the four days of shakedown cruising coming right after more than five weeks of not doing any up-rig, being as up-rig was fully completed, nor any sailing, like freshly ripped out of the bars kidnapped crew taken by a press gang of long ago, we crew went for an intense four days of back to back day sailing. So, while willing we were, we were without a clue to how lots of muscles normally tuned up through up-rig hence ready for back to back day sailing had become untuned. For me, the mere persistence to balance myself regarding vessel motion created quite a bit of torso muscle groaning under my breath at the end of each day. A bit less day by day. But still, end of last week and a full day off Saturday was so very well received by all hands. As good as the sailing was, and with good reason to feel very accomplished for handling Pride really well under sail day after day last week with none of the usual turn-on-the-engines for whatever kind of reason, it is very sad to have to downrig now, but the crew are nicely tuned up for the downrigging and laying over the top of the ship her protective covering till next spring.

Now back to tying-up Pride for the rest of this year.

Part of the funding that assists with campaigning Maryland’s world renowned star-spangled sailing icon comes from interested general public and businesses contributing in return for the opportunity to sail aboard. Being that the best protection of lives from possible infection is significant interpersoanl distancing that will not be easy to provide while sailing aboard, such direct sailing experience income will be all but impossible to generate this year. Not only this, all of the anticipated income-producing events previously scheduled for March and April were canceled. And so it comes to pass that Pride will be tied up for the rest of this year. Carefully protected for the period ahead till sailing again in 2021. To be completely frank, it is quietly very disappointing for all of us to be tying up Pride for the rest of this year. While understandable, it is also not completely unfamiliar. Except that this tying up comes so very soon after opening her up again from last winter as if a butterfly from her protective cocoon. But like everyone across the nation and around the world, COVID-19 is a threat to us all doing anything that means mingling closely. To protect those that might want to sail aboard Pride during this medical emergency, being that protective distancing measures cannot be accommodated aboard Pride, means no direct user income, that in a regular season can mean upwards of 10%-15% of the annual budget to the non-profit company Pride of Baltimore, Inc. Such loss of potential income means the whole year’s costs will not actually be met. Tying up means reduced expenses. Tying up sooner than later also means having the fiscal ability for being ready and able to start up again in 2021.

Disappointing for sure. No differently for the whole nation and the whole planet. But certainly a clear way to protect lives in the meanwhile.

I extend sincere compliments to the seasonal crew for their diligence in all things they attend to on behalf of the ship. Downrigging her in a proper fashion and covering her for the long period of protection is no small nor simple job. Once accomplished, they go their own way. In normal circumstances, often to another sailing vessel.

Signed,
Jan C. Miles, Senior Captain

Photo: Pride II returning to Baltimore under sail, May 14, 2020, courtesy of Eddie Lucas.

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2020

Thirty-four years ago this day, Pride of Baltimore was lost. Pride of Baltimore II continues in the memory of the first … Bold statements of historical and contemporary accomplishments and friendly outreach to our nation and to the world by Marylanders.

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Today the crew sailed Pride of Baltimore II into her home port of Baltimore on the last day of a four-day shakedown cruise.  A cruise a bit different than past years’ shakedown sails for crew training. This time around, I added the goal of not using engines at all, except for backing away from the Clinton Street compound and returning. My goal was achieved. The engines were turned off right at the entrance of the North Branch of the Patapsco River that opens between Fort McHenry and Lazaretto Point. The engines did not go on again till Pride was right outside of her Clinton Street compound piers. These last four days have all been sailing days. To anchor and away from anchor.  An experience and a challenge that somewhat harkens back to the days of the Age of Sail.

This morning started with care and attention to shipboard details as we waited for the light southerly breeze to build. Late morning, the mainsail and main-gaff-topsail were set and the main boom tagged to starboard. The jib readied to be set aback to port. Yards with loosened square-topsail backed to port. Foresail brails “singled up” for a quick setting. Fore-staysail to starboard ready to set. With care to Pride’s yawing as the anchor was hauled back, at the point the anchor was going to lift off the bottom, the jib was set aback to port. Pride swung to starboard and with mainsail sheet eased as Pride headed away from the anchorage on a broad reach toward the Patapsco River. Leaving the jib aback so speed was kept low, but shifting the yards to starboard, the anchor was hoisted to the port rail and stowed. The jib was passed. The square-topsail was set. The staysail was set. The foresail was set. The jib-topsail was set. Pride then proceeded along nicely in the 10 knots of wind that had come up.

Pride reached across the bay to the eastern section of the Brewerton Channel (extension). Then steered into the Patapsco and under the Key Bridge. In the main branch of the Patapsco, the wind died out a lot.  As Pride drifted toward Fort McHenry, the foresail was brailed in. Then the jib-topsail lowered and harbor-furled. Soon Pride was turned toward the opening into the North Branch between Fort McHenry and Lazarretto Point. This put the light breeze directly behind the ship. The main-gaff-topsail was struck. Then the mainsail was lowered and stowed. As Pride sailed along under square-topsail, the jib and staysail were lowered and stowed. Last, just as Pride was approaching her Clinton Street compound mooring area, the square-topsail was struck. The engines started and quick work of tying up was executed around 1530.  After an hour of tidying up, all hands were stood down. Everyone feeling pretty good about the cruise.

Signed,

Jan C. Miles, Senior Captain

Photo: Pride II Sailing under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Photo courtesy of Susan Hale

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Time: 1900 hours
Location: Anchored on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay, south of Rock Hall near the western shore of Eastern Neck

There was no wind this morning, as forecast. So the morning was spent attending to vessel details. Inspecting the rig. Also some cleaning.

Somewhat unexpectedly an east-southeast breeze arrived late morning. Pretty fresh too. Meaning 10 knots and a bit better. The updated forecast continued indicating 5 knots from the south. After a moment of thought, it was easy to realize this new breeze was a result of temperature differences of air over land verses air over water of the Chesapeake Bay.

Whenever there is a broad area of uniform and stable air mass over both water and land, and the sky is clear, the sun starts to heat the surface of water and land early in the day. Water does not heat up as quickly as land does. Today it seems the land temperature had increased pretty quickly while the bay water did not as quickly. As the land heated this morning, the air close to the ground heated as well and started to rise. Over the bay the cooler near-surface air was drawn towards the land by the rising warmer air over land. This flow creates localized breezes near shorelines. The greater the difference of temperature the faster this flow near shorelines. So, by midday in Annapolis, we were seeing 10-12 knots of wind flowing right up the Severn River. A good sailing breeze. But one that would require tacking back out Severn River Roads. Because the wind was not as speedy as it was yesterday, it would be less work for the crew to tack Pride out towards the bay. But still, it would mean short tacking hence plenty enough work.

Today’s sail from anchor would best be served to have the mainsail set prior to hauling back the anchor. Close astern by about 300 yards was the seawall of the Naval Academy. It would be important to pay off on a tack long enough that it would give the crew a chance to set additional sail to both aid in balancing the mainsail as well accelerate Pride after the anchor was off the bottom. Not merely accelerate but accelerate her enough over a short distance before needing to tack before running out of depth near either side of the Severn River.

Today the goal was to pay off on a port tack and sail to the southern side of the river, near Eastport Yacht Club. A distance of 450 yards from the anchored position. The mainsail boom was hauled to the starboard quarter to use the mainsail as an air-rudder for twisting the bow to the right. While hauling back the anchor, and carefully watching the swing of the ship, there were a few times the crew stopped hauling in the anchor to await a favorable swing. Finally, close to when the anchor would come off the bottom, there was a favorable swing. The anchor was lifted off the bottom and brought to the waterline, the jib was hoisted in a backed to port setup. The yards had already been braced backed to port. Pride twisted away to starboard, the mainsail filled, the backed jib kept twisting the Pride to the right. There is a lot of leverage with the jib so far forward of the mainsail, so Pride kept twisting against the filled mainsail to nearly beam to the wind. The jib was passed. The fore-staysail was set and both trimmed for going to windward. Pride started to accelerate and with steerage could be headed close to the wind. Then the loose-footed foresail was set. Being loose-footed the setting of the foresail is very fast. Merely let go of all brails at the same time and haul the clew aft-ward and close-in aboard with the line that is always attached. Then hook up the 4-part tackle to the foresail clew pendent and trim the 1,500 square feet sail. Then shift the yards around to starboard to reduce windage. Then tack as Pride approached the shore of the tip of Eastport.

It took seven tacks to finally get around Greenbury Point Shoal and head for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The square sail did not get set till after all of the tacking was completed. With the four lower sails, all being fore-and-aft, three of them loose-footed, there was plenty of work trimming after each tack with 14-15 knots of apparent wind. Pride was making 4+ knots on each leg. I decided to postpone setting the square-sail till after all the short-tacking. Were the wind less strong, the square would have been set so as to get additional acceleration. With plenty of acceleration, not setting the square was a favor to the crew not having to brace the square-topsail for each tack, forcing that sail through the wind. There had been plenty of that yesterday, in much stronger winds. A good photography show yesterday for sure. Making for a visually bold arrival to Annapolis for the first time this year. Without the foresail because of the stronger wind. With it there would have been too much sail area during yesterday’s gusts. Departing Annapolis did not call for a bold statement. The simplicity of fore-and-aft sails providing adequate acceleration for short tacking was plenty of visual proof of the ability for going to windward of the old-style Pride represents.

After the last tack, the square-topsail was set. Followed by the jib-topsail and the main-gaff-topsail.

Passed under and through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and headed around Love Point, the northern end of Kent Island. Then close-hauled sailed east toward the anchorage. Turned downwind right close to shore to take all sail forward of the mainmast. Then rounded to port up toward the wind for dropping the port anchor around 1730 when Pride had lost way and started to drift astern. All sail and gear was stowed by 1830 and a delayed supper was had by all.

Signed,

Jan C. Miles, Senior Captain