Tall Ships are coming

Well, there are certainly more such/similar stories ... :wink:

So that's how the USN spends these tax dollars...... :wink:

I work in the seaport area of Boston and every now and then we see this boat:

http://www.ussconstitution.navy.mil/

Ship, that's a ship my dearest.

A boat is a vessel that can be carried on a ship. Or a submarine.

(Some say that vessels less than 12 meters are dinghis, up to 100 meters boats, above that ships: that's connected to the rules re masthead lights. - In the [German] navy, a ship was commanded by an officer ranked commander and more.)

That was a great story georgeob1.
The tall ships came to detroit a few years back, and I never did go to see them. Next time.

I agree that was a great story georgeob1

An endless supply .... Just as medieval fairy tales all start out with "Once upon a time..."; sea stories all start out "This is no shitt..."



In fact we encountered each other in a usually empty quarter of the ocean quite by accident - we were both doing independent training exercises - and with no escorts. The captain of Enterprise and I were old friends and rivals - we endured the rigors of nuclear power training together; had commanded adjacent fighter squadrons in an airwing; and before that we served in the same test squadron; he directing projects for one type aircraft. me for another -- and our ships were home ported in the San Francisco Bay, across the pier from one another. It was an entirely natural act done spontaneously after our aircraft spotted each other; we closed and without signal (other than a flashing light signal from me saying "Is this it?"- and an answer from him saying "damn right") the race was on. It lasted little more than an hour or so and was no strain on the nuclear powerplants which at max speed were loafing along at about 60% power.

The decidedly strange sight of the square-rigged masts & sails of the German vessel, floating above the distant horizon (due to refraction) directly ahead was unusual and initially a bit mistifying: it certainly brought some pleasure to my friend on Enterprise who knew that I would have to either turn (and lose) or quickly make some arrangement. Happily the German captain was unusually quick, alert, bold and cooperative (I would love one day to hear his version of the story). It was great for morale as the flight decks filled with cheering sailors - and the German manned his yards as we passed. There are two versions of just who won.

it is customary on holland-america line cruise-ships to have an introduction of the ship's senior staff by the cruise director on the night of sailing .
the captain is always asked to give a brief "welcome aboard" message to the passengers and never fails to state the the SHIP must NEVER be called a boat !
there is another get-together towards the end of the cruise when the captain says that he hopes that every on board enjoyed the cruise on one of these "dam-ned" fine ships - since every holland america line ship ends in "dam" (amsterdam , rotterdam , eurodam ... all "dam-ned" fine ships).
another old custom by holland america is that ALL passengers must attend the life boat drill on the open promeade deck . blazing sun or cold winds - ALL must show . some passengers complain that on some other cruise lines they were allowed to have a lifeboat drill IN THE LOUNGE - what's wrong with holland america line !!!
not on holland america - even if you are in a wheelchair you have to be on the open deck .
hbg

leaving fort lauderdale on the old ms. westerdam - as you can see , even the fellow in the wheelchair had to be on deck .
luckily no passenger was thrown overboard for the " MAN OVERBOARD " exercise
mrs h is in foreground

Just for info, the first cruise I had ever taken was on Holland America and they didn't have a life boat drill (that was in the '80 though). I know NCL requires the drill to be on deck. Princess was held in the lounge.

I did the Noregian cruise, and yes, they are very serious and strict about the lifeboat drills. A few belligerent cruisers brought drinks with them, and they were asked to put the drinks down, and pay attention. That should be the standard.

George, were you down here when we (San Diego) hosted the
America's Cup? It was so nice to watch that ! I was also in Newport Beach,
RI, when they had the Cup there. Unfortunately, down here, people
weren't that interested in the America's Cup, thus the news coverage and
spectator crowd was slim.

Boating is big where I am. This brings thousands of people:
http://www.seafair.com/events/hydro/

CalamityJane I was told that the Tall Ships will be in San Diego after San Francisco. I don't remember seeing that on the schedule

Yes and I was also lucky enough to be anchored in the middle of the course in the earlier 1987 America's Cup race in Perth (the last race under the old 12 meter boat rules). On off days I would go out with Tom Blackaller on USA (the SFYC boat) and with Denis Connor on America (the SDYC boat - and the winner) while they practiced and checked out new sails. Denis was a very proficient tyrant: Tom was more spontaneous and a lot more fun - though he came in second. We became good friends and he afterwards sponsored me at the SFYC.

wow, I am officially impressed, George! I thought the brunch at the
yacht club was all just showing-off by the Irish

These speed boat races are here at our Mission Bay quite often - extremely loud though.

Well, I would say it was 50% showing off (hell everything I have ever done met that standard!) and otherwise just seemed like an easy to reach and unhurried/uncrowded venue for people to get to know each other in a relaxing atmosphere. Interesting, eclectic group!

I was just joking, George! I enjoyed it there very much - the setting and
the people alike, quite international actually. Next time you're down here, I do hope you stop by.

Waddya mean ? Showing off is serious stuff !! - particularly for the Irish.

I enjoyed the company as well, and look forward to another opportunity perhaps in San Diego - or even upper San Diego. :wink:

Gorgeous pictures Izzie