Tom P.
m/v PACIFIC LOON
Time to read, or even re-read, R.H. Dana’s TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST.
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Time to read, or even re-read, R.H. Dana’s TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST.
Tom P.
m/v PACIFIC LOON
Actually the “classic, 100 foot black schooner” is an interesting story. I suspect Skip is remembering when in 1972 the 125’ black SHAMROCK VI went up on the beach at Santa Cruz and became a major news item that went on for about a month. After being sold for salvage, she was successfully towed off the beach, but most unfortunately they made the mistake while towing her back to SF Bay of getting too close to Ocean Beach. The tow line parted and she was washed ashore and became a total loss.
https://blog.beachboardwalk.com/nadm-shipwreck-shamrock
BTW, old charts used to show a South Entrance into the SF Bar channel.
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Howard Spruit
Member
my guess at the new year quiz~
I as witness to #s 4, 5, 6, 8, & 9
I was told the mutton birds referred to in #5 were Sooty Shearwaters.
the black schooner ( Shamrock)I saw on the beach was up on main beach Santa Cruz.
#8 was the anual Jester Dingy China beach race later renamen the Tola Slide becuase the State rangers thought we might be having too much fun. (4+/- kegs and 420 type smoke signals.
I as witness to #s 4, 5, 6, 8, & 9
I was told the mutton birds referred to in #5 were Sooty Shearwaters.
the black schooner ( Shamrock)I saw on the beach was up on main beach Santa Cruz.
#8 was the anual Jester Dingy China beach race later renamen the Tola Slide becuase the State rangers thought we might be having too much fun. (4+/- kegs and 420 type smoke signals.
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Let's see. DAZZLER was first to get #9, the infamous black schooner SHAMROCK VI correct. Her position when she went down is marked for all history on your San Francisco approach charts being a "Submerged Obstruction" 3 miles south of Pt. Lobos.
HOWARD SPRUIT. because he was there, got #'s 4, 5, 6 & 8, correct. And yes, the Mutton Birds are Sooty Shearwaters, and their frenzied collisions with Capitola in 1961 inspired Alfred Hitchcock's thriller "The Birds."
What else has washed up nearby? More than one answer may/may not be true. Any/all correct answers win.
1. hundreds of large, attack squid.
2. an armada of of port tack sailors, unable to tack or gybe and gain searoom.
3. a fully armed US Naval submarine.
4. Santa Claus
5. Thousands of deceased mutton birds, inspiring a famous movie.
6. A tank ship built of cement.
7. A fully crewed ocean racing sailboat following it's GPS chartplotter to Santa Cruz Harbor, only to become painfully aware that's its shortest course had taken them overland.
8. A 25 boat fleet of 7 foot, non-rightable dinghies in an ocean ("Transpac") race.
9. A classic, 125 foot black schooner.
That leaves #1,2,3, & 7 to win., and join Tom, Howard, and me on our local history walk. Are any of those True or False?
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Oct. 12, 1912 was not a good day for the US Navy in Monterey Bay.
The submarine USS CARP had been detailed to help celebrate festivities at the new "port" of Watsonville. The port really was only a pier into the ocean, reached by trolley.
There was much celebration on the beach with 3 Navy ships anchored off and sailors ashore. Then the wind and surf rose and CARP broke her moorings, coming ashore and killing two crew.
It took a week of pulling to get CARP off. Finally battleship MARYLAND showed up and with two tugs got CARP off the beach and towed back to Mare Island for repairs.
The "Port of Watsonville" didn't last much longer. Two months after the opening celebrations of this hoped for regional seaport, a storm pulverized the pier and it was dismantled, leaving scant evidence except for the trolley tracks to nowhere (now the secluded and expansive Sunset Beach State Park.)
That leaves questions 1 & 2, True or False?
The submarine USS CARP had been detailed to help celebrate festivities at the new "port" of Watsonville. The port really was only a pier into the ocean, reached by trolley.
There was much celebration on the beach with 3 Navy ships anchored off and sailors ashore. Then the wind and surf rose and CARP broke her moorings, coming ashore and killing two crew.
It took a week of pulling to get CARP off. Finally battleship MARYLAND showed up and with two tugs got CARP off the beach and towed back to Mare Island for repairs.
The "Port of Watsonville" didn't last much longer. Two months after the opening celebrations of this hoped for regional seaport, a storm pulverized the pier and it was dismantled, leaving scant evidence except for the trolley tracks to nowhere (now the secluded and expansive Sunset Beach State Park.)
That leaves questions 1 & 2, True or False?
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Jonathan Gutoff
Member
I know No.2 is true.The sailors being Vela Vela. The squid I don't know.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velella
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velella
Tom P.
m/v PACIFIC LOON
I had been thinking it best to let others enter Skip’s quiz. I responded with comments about the loss of SHAMROCK VI because I remembered the event so well. The black schooner SHAMROCK VI lived in a slip close to the StFYC guest dock and was always something of a mystery. I think SANTANA, when owned by the Eden brothers Tom & Ted, was next door or very close by.
Skip’s last remaining point (#1 the squid) is true, and deserves attention. There’s a scientist at Monterey’s Hopkins Marine Lab who’s been researching the little known “giant squid” or Humboldt Squid. One of the things he has observed is that they seem to be amazingly adaptable to changes in climate. I’m continually impressed with how little we really know about the oceans.
Somewhat related, several years ago, we attended a talk by a guy that was offering the opportunity to night dive and photograph Giant Humboldt Squid off Loreto, Mexico. He was totally crazy. He had built a protective suit (patterned to look just like the Star Wars Stormtroopers) and was planning to be attached to a big steel cable and act as the bait. Totally nuts! Humboldt squid can be more than 8 feet long and have a beak like a very large bird. I’ve wondered what every happened.
Skip’s last remaining point (#1 the squid) is true, and deserves attention. There’s a scientist at Monterey’s Hopkins Marine Lab who’s been researching the little known “giant squid” or Humboldt Squid. One of the things he has observed is that they seem to be amazingly adaptable to changes in climate. I’m continually impressed with how little we really know about the oceans.
Somewhat related, several years ago, we attended a talk by a guy that was offering the opportunity to night dive and photograph Giant Humboldt Squid off Loreto, Mexico. He was totally crazy. He had built a protective suit (patterned to look just like the Star Wars Stormtroopers) and was planning to be attached to a big steel cable and act as the bait. Totally nuts! Humboldt squid can be more than 8 feet long and have a beak like a very large bird. I’ve wondered what every happened.
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Well done all!!
Jonathan is correct about the Velella Velella (By-The-Wind-Sailors) being the answer to #2. These bluish carnivores can sail in massed fleets extending many miles of beach when they sail ashore, as they often do.
By the way, the Velella can sail on almost a beam reach with their fibroid sail angled to the wind. I know some boats can't do that, hihi.
And DAZZLER is again correct about Humboldt Squid being attack cephalopods. Several years ago hundreds of these large critters washed ashore on Capitola Beach. They were all about 4-5 feet long and looked to weigh about 75 pounds. Not something you want nipping your wet suit or scuba gear, as they have done to deleterious effect.
See a video of Humboldt Squid taking on a professional diver and photographer. The diver loses big time, but luckily not his life....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fkl312lldQ
So yes, all 9 trivia are true, and DAZZLER, HOWARD SPRUIT, and JONATHAN will join me for a history walk from the porch at CBC, the location of Capitola's first hotel in 1890. The Capitola Park Hotel was founded and run by Patty Reed Lewis, as a child an 8 year old survivor of the fated and grisly Donner Party.
And if you are wondering about Santa Claus washing ashore at Capitola Beach, happens every pre-Christmas to the delight of a gaggle of kids lining in wait on the shoreline. Legendary local big wave surfer Frosty Hesson, ("Chasing Mavericks") dressed as Santa, paddles from around the point and surfs onto the beach complete with everything including reindeer. Gotta see to believe.
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Tom P.
m/v PACIFIC LOON
Skip, thanks for the squid video link. That’s not the guy that was preparing to be Humboldt Squid bait in Mexico, but still an interesting story. As a scuba diver and underwater photographer, there’s an interesting phenomenon where one feels insulated from the subject by ones camera. I’ve frequently had that experience diving with sharks.
We look forward to an opportunity to visit and hear your history talk.
We look forward to an opportunity to visit and hear your history talk.
Hey Alan,
I retrieved a clear, plexi, 3/8" hatchboard from "QUIET VICTORY." It's yours if you want it. Measures 15" high, 21 13/16" across the top and 19" across the bottom.
If Alan doesn't want it, its free to first taker and will be in the back of my car next Saturday at RYC.
831-four7five, 02seven8
I retrieved a clear, plexi, 3/8" hatchboard from "QUIET VICTORY." It's yours if you want it. Measures 15" high, 21 13/16" across the top and 19" across the bottom.
If Alan doesn't want it, its free to first taker and will be in the back of my car next Saturday at RYC.
831-four7five, 02seven8
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It's always good to celebrate the maiden voyage of a new ship, no matter size or propulsion
This Monday evening on AIS, the freshly launched Matson container ship LURLINE, largest and latest flagship of the venerable company, is passing northbound, west of Monterey Bay, on her maiden voyage from the San Diego shipyard to Oakland Terminals.
It is possible some of the 2020 SHTP fleet will sight this distinctive, combo container-RoRo, ship.
Aloha, LURLINE!
LURLINE on recent sea trials off San Diego
This Monday evening on AIS, the freshly launched Matson container ship LURLINE, largest and latest flagship of the venerable company, is passing northbound, west of Monterey Bay, on her maiden voyage from the San Diego shipyard to Oakland Terminals.
It is possible some of the 2020 SHTP fleet will sight this distinctive, combo container-RoRo, ship.
Aloha, LURLINE!
LURLINE on recent sea trials off San Diego
Attachments
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Hurricane Carol, August 31, 1954, a Category 3, was at the time one of the most destructive storms to ever hit New England.
This is 12 meter US-3, TYCOON, designed by Starling Burgess and owned by Clifford Mallory after she was driven ashore south of Boston. Mallory was a famous yachtsman and one of the founders of Mystic Seaport.
There's a story here I don't know. But if you look closely, you can see TYCOON is also on fire...The last thing standing as the hull was consumed was the mast, proudly flying the "Owner Not Aboard" flag from the starboard lower spreader..
To the north, the steeple blew off Boston's historic Old North Church ("One if by land, two if by sea..").
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I''ve heard from Nate Tuffanelli, the guy who bought that H-Boat from me. Apparently Nate sold the boat to an extremely accomplished sailor who'd been a former World Champion in the Flying Dutchman class. That gentleman passed away and the boat sat in Redwood City. I suppose this guy, who bought it for $100, says Nate...bought it from his widow or from the Port of Redwood City.
$100. Nate met up with him in Half Moon Bay and said it was obvious he had NO idea what he was doing, and Nate was surprised that he'd gotten that far. Nate put the Harkens and the windward sheeting traveler on the boat.
$100. Nate met up with him in Half Moon Bay and said it was obvious he had NO idea what he was doing, and Nate was surprised that he'd gotten that far. Nate put the Harkens and the windward sheeting traveler on the boat.
One wouldn't think the San Juan Islands of Washington State being a snow scene like the Bavarian Alps...
2 feet of snow in Port Townsend...
Good sailing friends live atop Mt. Dallas, highest point on San Juan Island. They grew up in Maine, so are used to such conditions in their sturdy home with a view of Victoria and Vancouver Island to the west and north, Mt. Baker to the east, and Mt. Rainer to the south. Even still, Jim just wrote:
"Weatherdogs,
It was a bad night. We too had about a foot of snow, but the wind started picking up by early afternoon. There was snow blowing everywhere, and it was really loud outside. Our gutters were filled with ice and we had 12-18" icicles hanging off them. I knocked off all the ice I could reach with a 10' 2x4 because I didn't want the loaded up gutters ripping off the house By 10 last night our anemometer had hit 70mph. Icicles were being snapped off the gutters and smashing into the windows. It was a mess. I didn't think sleep would be easy, but I woke up this morning to a new world. Much of the snow had been blown away The decks and roof were swept clean. There were patches of green grass and 4 and 5' drifts on the lee side of rock outcrops. All windows are intact and the woodstove is happily puffing away, keeping us warm. Nasty evening tho...
And guess what, there are, no snow plows on SJ Island at all! Shackleton would have loved it."
And here's a view at 200 feet above sea level X-country skiing to Heart Lake on Fidalgo Island.
2 feet of snow in Port Townsend...
Good sailing friends live atop Mt. Dallas, highest point on San Juan Island. They grew up in Maine, so are used to such conditions in their sturdy home with a view of Victoria and Vancouver Island to the west and north, Mt. Baker to the east, and Mt. Rainer to the south. Even still, Jim just wrote:
"Weatherdogs,
It was a bad night. We too had about a foot of snow, but the wind started picking up by early afternoon. There was snow blowing everywhere, and it was really loud outside. Our gutters were filled with ice and we had 12-18" icicles hanging off them. I knocked off all the ice I could reach with a 10' 2x4 because I didn't want the loaded up gutters ripping off the house By 10 last night our anemometer had hit 70mph. Icicles were being snapped off the gutters and smashing into the windows. It was a mess. I didn't think sleep would be easy, but I woke up this morning to a new world. Much of the snow had been blown away The decks and roof were swept clean. There were patches of green grass and 4 and 5' drifts on the lee side of rock outcrops. All windows are intact and the woodstove is happily puffing away, keeping us warm. Nasty evening tho...
And guess what, there are, no snow plows on SJ Island at all! Shackleton would have loved it."
And here's a view at 200 feet above sea level X-country skiing to Heart Lake on Fidalgo Island.
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A conversation today veered into a discussion of single- vs. short-handed sailing in ocean passages, and it reminded me of a nice little essay on the topic by (formerly?) Alameda-based single-hander Wayne Meretsky in Latitude 38, explaining why he likes single handing better. For example, he says:
“You just can't be fully rested trying to swap two-, three- or four-hour watches. And when you are on watch, looking at someone else's dirty dishes in the sink, laundry on the settee, or chicken scratches on the chart tends to just drive you crazy after 10, 15 or 20 days. By contrast, my crew's personal hygiene, organizational, navigational, sail trim and culinary skills are perfectly aligned! There's no discord or subtle tensions, no discussions being rehearsed while they're sleeping peacefully and I'm trying to cope with their best efforts. It always works perfectly.”
Makes perfect sense to me.
Read the rest here:
https://www.latitude38.com/changes/Changes07-08.html#moonduster
“You just can't be fully rested trying to swap two-, three- or four-hour watches. And when you are on watch, looking at someone else's dirty dishes in the sink, laundry on the settee, or chicken scratches on the chart tends to just drive you crazy after 10, 15 or 20 days. By contrast, my crew's personal hygiene, organizational, navigational, sail trim and culinary skills are perfectly aligned! There's no discord or subtle tensions, no discussions being rehearsed while they're sleeping peacefully and I'm trying to cope with their best efforts. It always works perfectly.”
Makes perfect sense to me.
Read the rest here:
https://www.latitude38.com/changes/Changes07-08.html#moonduster
Howard Spruit and I recently completed laying new bamboo hardwood flooring at Capitola Boat Club.
The 27 year old Berber rug and its underlayment had reached their half life. Though unseen, whispers of mould has been hinted.
The new hardwood floor planks, 5" x 6', are dense, heavy, and would never accept a nail. Even drilling is difficult. A cool thing is the "click-loc" connection, allowing the new floor to be "floated" without fasteners or adhesive. Just its weight keeps it in place. Not your mom and pop tongue and groove.
Our primary tools were a nail puller for the old rug removal, a chop saw, a table saw, and an orange Fein "multimaster" oscillating saw. The later was our primary construction tool over 18 months when we built WILDFLOWER, my 22' cat.
When you visit CBC, you can bring your dog with no threat to the natural finish of the new floor. It's guaranteed for 50 years:
https://www.calibamboo.com/bamboo-flooring.html
Back to our regular programming.
The 27 year old Berber rug and its underlayment had reached their half life. Though unseen, whispers of mould has been hinted.
The new hardwood floor planks, 5" x 6', are dense, heavy, and would never accept a nail. Even drilling is difficult. A cool thing is the "click-loc" connection, allowing the new floor to be "floated" without fasteners or adhesive. Just its weight keeps it in place. Not your mom and pop tongue and groove.
Our primary tools were a nail puller for the old rug removal, a chop saw, a table saw, and an orange Fein "multimaster" oscillating saw. The later was our primary construction tool over 18 months when we built WILDFLOWER, my 22' cat.
When you visit CBC, you can bring your dog with no threat to the natural finish of the new floor. It's guaranteed for 50 years:
https://www.calibamboo.com/bamboo-flooring.html
Back to our regular programming.
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