The Ship's Log

June 30: Lake Ontario Crossing to Toronto

Logged on Wednesday June 30, 2010

Upon leaving Montreal on Thursday, Roseway had a beautiful motor through the rest of the St. Lawrence Seaway through the Thousand Islands with a brief stopover in Clayton, New York (a very hospitable and tall ship-loving group of people).

On Monday, we left Clayton and headed out across Lake Ontario trying to set ourselves up for a good sail to Toronto. Wind shifts both large and small plagued our trip. As we neared Toronto yesterday we were convinced there was a force field around the city as the wind was howling directly out of the harbor making it almost impossible for us to get near it.

We pressed on and entered the harbor in a line with Pride of Baltimore II and Europa all being filmed by helicopter for the evening news.  Here we are for the next five days ready to share Roseway with the estimated one million Canadians who will be visiting the docks over the weekend.

June 25: St. Lawrence Seaway

Logged on Friday June 25, 2010

Roseway left Boston more than twelve days ago and battled high winds and seas for more than eight of those days. What should have been a quick trip around Nova Scotia into the Seaway was more an adventure in heavy weather sailing, cold wind and rain, and patience. Montreal was a sight for sore eyes and a great crew respite for a couple of days.

Yesterday morning at 0800 we departed Montreal and successfully navigated four of the seven locks that stand between us and our next port of call: Clayton, New York. We climbed about 120-feet in elevation in everything from dead calm and warm sun to driving rain. Our fender-boards along with our captain’s expert maneuvering kept us free and clear of the jagged walls in the locks. We also greatly appreciated the Canadian lock mangers for giving us a nice slow fill! Last night we dropped anchor off of Dickerson Island, Ontario—ending the day with some of Jess’s fresh baked strawberry-rhubarb pie.

At 0500 this morning we pulled up anchor and are now making our way to our next lock back in U.S. waters, waiting our turn behind a huge lake tanker. By evening we will be in Clayton, NY for a few days of sails and festivities. Then it’s on to Toronto. Let our summer inland adventure continue!

June 12: Montreal Bound

Logged on Saturday June 12, 2010

We are saying goodbye to Boston. The galley is stocked. The water tanks are full. The fuel tank is full. Laundry has been done. Sea harnesses and gumby suits distributed to crew. Charts laid out. Foul weather gear and boots in working order.

Heading out into the Gulf of Maine, we have on board 11 crew members, two captains, and a cook. Destination: Montreal. We anticipate arrival next Sunday. Our 6,000-mile summer journey has just begun.

Standby for updates en route!

June 7: The Wonderful World of Boy Scouts

Logged on Tuesday June 8, 2010

Saturday and Sunday were forecast to be awful–no other words could describe, even from the weather service, what we were in for. It was going to be bad bad bad: tornadoes, golf-ball size hail, thunder, lightning, high winds, low winds, no winds, etc.

At 0830 we boarded 35 boy scouts ages 10-16  along with about 25 chaperons and headed out of Boston harbor. Our destination was Lovell’s Island but we had a whole day to get there and plenty of activities on board to keep us busy while we were getting there. These guys were climbing the rig, chilling on the bow sprit, tying knots, navigating, standing bow watch, doing boat checks, and eating a lot of ham and cheese sandwiches.

By 1530 we were at Lovell’s and the pack was unloading all their gear for camping on the island AND we were still free from the awful weather that was stewing all around us but miraculously leaving us be. After dinner on board we kept 9 of the scouts who were staying on board overnight with us and forming our acnhor watch, and the rest marched to their tents exhausted.

By 0830 Sunday morning we were back at it, loading all the gear back on board, eating a huge breakfast and heading out into the drizzle to sail back to Boston. But while the rain reminded us of what was possible, it was only a brief shower and then, another clear sail home with the forecast of darkness all around us, but not upon us. Again we rolled into activities and finally returned our troop to the dock at 1530, unloading just before the skies became black and let loose.

A great, exhilarating, exhausting, and weather-free weekend!

June 2: Make it Sparkle, Make it Shine

Logged on Wednesday June 2, 2010

Only one week to go until Roseway embarks on her summer voyage to the Great Lakes. After a great trip up from St. Croix and a few days off to rest up for most of the crew, it’s time to get down and dirty on board. We’re scraping, painting, hammering, sewing, fixing, and generally getting all spruced up for the summer.

In between all the love Roseway’s getting, we’re picking up a few groups for some charters around Boston Harbor and even taking on 60 Boy Scouts for a troop trip over the weekend to the Boston Harbor Islands. No rest for a tall ship!