Sunday, July 21, 2013

Historic Re-Launch of the Charles W. Morgan


The Morgan, a National Historic Landmark built in 1841, is the oldest American commercial ship still afloat. The whaling ship has been undergoing a comprehensive restoration in the Mystic Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard since November, 2008.  The Morgan was relaunched today and christened by Sarah Bullard, the great-great-great granddaughter of Charles W. Morgan (the ship bears her ancestors name).  Click below for a link to a news article by "The Day" of New London.
http://www.theday.com/article/20130721/NWS01/130729989/1017

Since Mystic is our homeport, we got to partake in the day's festivities!
Mystic Seaport

Ships on the Mystic River

The crowd has assembled and waiting patiently


The lady in dark blue is the great-great-great granddaughter of Charles W. Morgan and about to christen the ship

The ship's keel is in the water!



The "Morgan" has been launched

The exodus of spectators has begun

A spectacular sunset for an historic day



Monday, July 15, 2013

Invasion and Instruction

Recently Bob and I were walking down our dock and noticed a huge swarm of insects above our heads.  We couldn't tell what they were, but we were able to pass under the swarm and they didn't seem to mind that we were there.  A short while later, we returned to the top of the dock and found this....
A huge swarm of honey bees!!  The yard manager claimed they wouldn't bother you if you didn't bother them and placed his hand just under the swarm.  He was braver than I would ever be!!  He contacted a local beekeeper who arrived the next morning and removed the bees.
He didn't were a protective suit, simply used a small brush and pillow case and swept the bees from the table into the bag.  Fortunately he was only stung once!  After he left, there were a few stragglers, but they were gone within a couple of hours.

This past weekend, we attended our first MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners Association) Northeast Rendezvous , held at the Mystic Seaport.

A number of helpful, informational seminars were provided.  One on the proper way to use a fire extinguisher and put out a fire.  A fire extinguisher was connected to a video screen that displayed flames of a fire.  Just as in an actual situation, you only had sixteen seconds to put out the fire before the extinguisher ran out!!  It was more difficult than you think!
Another seminar was how to light a flare and then hold the lit, glowing flare.  This was extremely helpful, since it is unlawful to set off flares unless there is emergency.  We hope we never have to use them, but now know the proper procedure.
A group of MTOAers setting off flares

Don't let the ashes fall on your toes, Lynda!

Lynda shooting the flare gun  
The 93-foot wooden Honey Fitz served five presidents and is most widely known as the boat used by John F. Kennedy. Dubbed “The Yacht of Camelot,” Honey Fitz hosted first-family vacations and was a mobile office for high-level meetings. After falling victim to neglect, Honey Fitz recently received a two-year refit, bringing her back to presidential standards. The current owner is looking to reintroduce the country to this historic vessel through Honey Fitz Yacht Charters, which is organizing a summer goodwill cruise up the East Coast to raise money for an array of charities. Honey Fitz will host fundraising cruises from her Palm Beach, Florida, home port to her old New England stomping grounds of Newport and Nantucket.  We were graced with this beautiful yacht outside our back door tonight.
And here is tonight's beautiful sunset as seen from our back door.



Thursday, July 04, 2013

JULY 4TH


                                  
  HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!