Two 1812 War Baltimore Schooner Privateers, a fleet of classic racing yacht 12 Meter America’s Cup sailing vessels, a fleet of classic yacht International One Design (IOD) sailing vessels and numerous classic yacht sailing vessels marked by the presence of the only New York Yacht Club “50” footer to survive from the early 20th Century SPARTAN have been mingling daily this week. The iconic Privateer PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II and the smaller yachting version LYNX have been marking their presence by salutes of gun (cannon) fire. An enhancement to the gathering that seems to be well enough received despite the shock of the sudden loud reports.
To accommodate all of these vessels, as well as visiting yachts of all kinds to one of the East Coast’s summer yachting meccas, it is necessary that the larger vessels seeking access to a dock (rather than anchor out) must “Med-moor”. A form of both anchoring and tying up to a dock common in the Mediterranean Sea, Med-moor is a stern-to the dock orientation using anchors forward and dock-lines aft with gangways extended over or out of the stern. This is a somewhat awkward mooring method for PRIDE. Her stern bulwark, or transom, must be climbed over and her gangway must be attached at the top of the back of the transom. Some special modifications were arranged with the assistance of past builders of PRIDE II, Paul Powichroski and Gary (Leroy) Suroski of Baltimore. The system of quick and easy to install & remove steps to get up and down from the transom rail-cap works very well. The new brackets for hanging the gangway work dependably. The whole assembly works perfectly.
What is iffy about this type of mooring is the vagaries of the wind. A change of the wind blowing on one side to another or from either the bow or the stern to one side send the bow off-center and make for a pivoting reality that risks jamming the gangway against a piling and possibly begin to tear it off the transom. Maybe this could be prevented by the use of two anchors spread to either side of the bow. But anyone familiar with “traditional” crew-driven anchor hauling systems will know such a system is a tremendous amount of work…especially when sailing everyday…and sometimes twice a day! So we are for the moment hoping to stick with only one anchor.
PRIDE’s welcome to Nantucket is one of sincere appreciation for the history she represents. But what is most complimentary is the appreciation for such a world renowned American sailing vessel paying Nantucket a visit. PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II thanks Nantucket very much for the sincere welcome! More specifically, I would like to thank the Nantucket Community Sailing Association and Nantucket Boat Basin.
In addition I would like to thank Panerai, the high quality Italian watch manufacturer for the opportunity given to PRIDE to assist in honoring cancer victims and their medical staff through the charity organization ‘Sailing Heals’ of New York and their relationship with the Nantucket Hospital.
Meanwhile PRIDE has been host to Maryland families who summer in Nantucket. Last night’s evening reception with these families, which included ESPN sailing commentator Gary Jobson, and many of their Nantucket friends, seemed to be much enjoyed; especially with the visit of Sgt. Mike Fraser of the U.S. Marines, a wounded veteran of 3 tours in Iraq and a tour in Afghanistan, who assisted PRIDE’s crew with the gun salute at evening colors. Sunday PRIDE will take many of these Maryland families, including Sgt. Fraser, will sail aboard PRIDE, partaking in the exhibition start of two PRIVATEERS to be performed prior to the official start of the 40th Anniversary of the Nantucket Opera House Cup Regatta. With both PRIVATEERS discharging guns throughout the exhibition, it ought to be quite the spectacle. If not, certainly noisy and smokey!
Jan C. Miles, Captain
Acting Executive Director