ANOTHER YEAR IN THE BOOK!

31 December 2014: Wow! Where does it go? Seems like only last week the weather was warm and sunny (those of you who know where I am, be still!) and my boat was carrying me around the waters of New Jersey. It's the last day of the year and perhaps time for a little review (Yes, like every TV station, magazine, and newspaper does!) of the year just ending.

First and foremost, the introduction of Maritime Maunder, my outlet for sharing sometime interesting historical perspectives, rants, and other wondrous postings of limited consumablity! Those of you who have followed it, I thank you for your interest and hope you have found some pleasure/entertainment in what we posted. It has been fun and I hope to be able to continue in the new year.

Some of the things we wrote about included: Charles W. Morgan's brilliant and amazing "38th voyage" following a major multi-year refit. 

Charles W. Morgan

In that same vein, we told you about Plimouth Plantation selecting Mystic Seaport's Dupont Shipyard to handle the survey and refit of the 1957 Mayflower II which began with that vessel's arrival at Mystic in mid-December.

Mayflower II in Mystic

We also offered a bit of gloating about the Naval Academy Midshipmen's 13th consecutive win over the Cadets of West Point at Raven's Stadium in Baltimore this year -- and a history of how the goat became Navy's mascot.

"Billy"

Of more significance, and perhaps more in keeping with the original intent of the blog, was the posts on the War of 1812 Battle of Baltimore, the Star Spangled Banner, and Fort McHenry. In that same connection, we told of the wonderful discovery of the remains of HMS Erebus in the frigid waters of Canada, lost in the ice by the Franklin Expedition.

sonar scan of Erebus

Her bell in the wreck

 
I admit to ranting a bit about the America's Cup, the change of venue to a foreign country as a purely financial decision on the part of Larry Ellison and how we have gotten from this:

              to this:









On a lighter note, we posted about the marvelous and whimsical "Rubber Ducky" world-wide tour

and how booze became a no-no in the Navies of England, America, and most recently, Canada.

So, on that note, I will close out this year with a "wee taste" and a wish for happiness, peace, good health for all of you and,

                                Fair Winds,

                                       Old Salt

CONSTITUTION'S SECOND WIN - WAR OF 1812

29 December 2014: I said I wouldn't bother you all again until after Christmas - and it is well after Christmas now. I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family, friends and fun! So on to today's important subject: USS Constitution vs HMS Java on this date in the first year of the War of 1812.

USS Constitution on her 200th birthday
 

It was Constitution's 2nd victory (first was in August against HMS Guerriere when she won the sobriquet "Old Ironsides" and brought joy to the people of the United States after a string of devastating defeats) and caused the Admiralty of the Royal Navy to change its policy regarding American heavy frigates.
 
 The ship had left Boston in early August of 1812, William Bainbridge commanding. She headed south, in company with USS Peacock, James Lawrence (Yes, the "don't give up the ship" James Lawrence) and cruised off the coast of Brazil looking for targets of opportunity. On the morning of 29 December, a strange sail was sighted and Captain Bainbridge went to investigate. It proved to be HMS Java, a Royal Navy frigate similar to Guerriere. Both captains determined to engage.

A savage battle - and Constitution's most devastating - ensued. In the second salvo from the enemy, she lost her wheel - completely - and Bainbridge was forced to rig jury steering at the rudder head below and shout his orders to a crew hauling on tackles to turn the ship. Java tried unsuccessfully to rake (fire a full broadside down the length of the other ship., either from astern or from forward) and then the two ships fouled, Java's bowsprit caught in Constitution's mizzen rigging. Bainbridge cleared the foul by shooting away his enemy's bowsprit.

 
The battle raged on, each captain seeking an advantage, firing devastating broadsides, and trying to avoid the enemy's fire.

Three hours later, and after a thorough and horrendously devastating battle, Java struck her flag, but was so badly damaged that Bainbridge had no choice but to burn her to the waterline and sink her. Naturally, he removed the wounded and healthy from the ship before destroying her. Java lost nearly a third of her crew, while Constitution hardly escaped unscathed: ten killed outright, forty-six wounded (four later died of their wounds) and five officers also wounded, including Bainbridge. The ship suffered her worst damage of the war, losing her fore and mizzen masts, her main topmast, both main tops'l yards, spanker boom, gaff, and trysail mast. Additionally, her standing rigging was severely damaged, requiring substantial time to repair.

 

But Bainbridge sailed her home to accolades and honors, and a lengthy refit in Boston. The ship would not escape to sea again for some time, but did manage it before the war ended in early 1815.

 

                             Fair Winds,

                                      Old Salt

 

 



MAYFLOWER HAULOUT VIDEO - VERY COOL

24 December 2014: I thought we had pretty much exhausted the Mayflower/Mystic story - at least for now - but I just received this link on the haulout of the ship at the Dupont Shipyard in Mystic. Have a look and be sure to check out the time lapse video (it's on the right side) of the actual haulout. And note, that they put divers in the Mystic River - on December 23! - to adjust the supports for the ship. That's gotta be really cold! Here's the link:

http://www.mysticseaport.org/news/2014/mayflower-ii-high-and-dry/

That's it for now, friends. I won't bother you again till after Christmas!

Have a wonderful holiday!

                             Fair Winds,
                                        Old Salt

CANADIAN NAVY BANS BOOZE

23 December 2014: Sorry for the delay in posting - chalk it up to the time of year and the fact that I have been up to my ears in  . . . well, stuff. 
Some of you may recall that a few weeks ago I posted two articles regarding the banning of liquor in the American Navy and the Royal (British) Navy. I think they might have been captioned "Splicing the main brace." Now, I read that the Canadian Navy has joined the party - or rather, the NON-party!

Canadian ships Whitehorse and Nanaimo, in San Diego on Canada Day, 2014

Here are the details, sad though they might be: On 12 December 2014, the Royal Canadian Navy imposed an almost total ban on sailors drinking at sea. This change came about after a Canadian warship had to be recalled from an international exercise when some drunken crew members got into some trouble (specific "trouble" not described.) The sailors had heretofore been allowed to drink when off duty on ships at sea and, to aid that habit, beer vending machines were on their ships. Well, shipmates, they're gone now! And the sailors will be allowed only to have a tot on special occasions, like Christmas,  and only with the specific permission of the commanding officer. Good news: Christmas is right around the corner!

Further exacerbating the situation, it seems that some sailors from HMCS Whitehorse (shown above), got into a spot of difficulty while ashore in San Diego (what sailors have not, at one time or another, gotten themselves into a bit of trouble ashore, generally instigated by that ol' devil rum!) and were accused of sexual misconduct (I suppose better ashore than at sea!) and shop lifting while visiting the city. So, from the inappropriate actions of a few, a new policy goes into effect for everyone!

The Canadian Navy joins the ranks of England, Australia, and New Zealand all of which have similar rules. But they refrained from taking it all the way to the draconian rules imposed on the US Navy by Secretary Of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, i.e. DRY - Across the board.

Now: an observation on my part: The news piece mentioned only SAILORS; said nothing about officers. Hmm. I can recall some very enjoyable evenings visiting the wardrooms of several Canadian and English ships in the old days.... maybe that will continue! 

OK, my friends and loyal readers, that will be it for a few days. Christmas and all! And, like the sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy, I might be allowed a wee dram to mark the occasion! I wish you all a most joyous Christmas, filled with calm seas, good friends and family, and 

                                    Fair Winds, 
                                         Old Salt

MORE ON MAYFLOWER

19 December 2014: Several posts back, I mentioned that the Plimouth Plantation ship, Mayflower II was in need of a refit of substantial proportions. To accomplish that, the powers that be at Plimouth Plantation had determined that Mystic Seaport - specifically, the Dupont Shipyard there, should be the proper choice to effect this work. The ship was towed to Mystic from Plymouth MA this past weekend and work has begun already!



Mayflower II in better days

She arrived Sunday afternoon with a small crowd of spectators on hand to witness the event. Reversing the course the Charles W. Morgan took when she left on her "38th Voyage", Mayflower II entered the Mystic River under tow and came slowly through the drawbridge, well known to any who have entered the Seaport by boat.

People typically stand on either side of the open draw to watch as vessels large and small arrive. The bridge has to open for almost everything transiting the  river except for small boats without masts!

She came gently to the dock at the Dupont Shipyard while Seaport employees and visitors stood by.

A comprehensive survey commenced the following day to determine the level of work necessary before the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth in 2020.

She will, however, return to her dock at Plimouth Plantation in May of 2015 so she is on hand for the summer season. Whether she will sail then or not is as yet undetermined. But she will be back at Mystic next winter for phase 2.

                           Fair Winds,
                                 Old Salt

THIRTEEN IN A ROW!

15 December 2014: Saturday, 12/13/14, was the annual Army-Navy football game, played this year in Baltimore MD at the Ravens' Stadium. I may have mentioned in a previous post that my son Josh had procured tickets to the game and I was privileged to attend with him. 
The game was wonderful, though Navy did give us a bit of tension in the first half and left the field tied when the Cadets missed a last minute field goal. But they came through and as they say, it's the score at the end that matters! So, it's thirteen in a row over Army for the Navy Mids, and well done lads! You are our future and I am proud to have worn the same uniform! 
Now a bit of trivia: While most know that the Army uses a mule as a mascot, the Navy uses a goat. The Army's mascot derives, of course, from the mule being a beast of burden and was used extensively to haul all the materiel used by the troops. Easy, right? OK, then how about the Navy using a goat? 

Goat meets Mule 1924 Army Navy Game

 
 Where did that come from??? I mean, really, goats? They are not what you might associate with ships, the sea, and sailors, are they. OK - as we used to say in the fleet, "here's the straight skinny!" (well, that's not exactly what we said, but this is a "G" rated blog!)

Pets historically have been welcome on Navy ships, cats, dogs, monkeys, parrots, etc. Goats and sheep served a practical purpose as well: they provided fresh dairy. They also eventually provided meat, leather, and fiber. But goats had one huge advantage over sheep: they will eat anything! Cows, of course, required large amounts of fodder, clearly a non-starter - at least in the later mechanized navy. Sailing ships on really long voyages did have an area called, appropriately, the "barnyard" where they kept chickens, sheep, and some cattle, but generally with the first battle, they were either killed or, being in the way, thrown overboard. And yes, it was a cruel deed, but necessary. So, back to sheep and goats. The early sailors discovered one traits which set the goats way above sheep: they can swim!

It is said they are more affable also, but that would be, I am sure,  a matter of opinion!

There are many "goat" stories - but the best one is how it came to be the mascot for the football team - and, for the record, I don't make this stuff up! 
Apparently, a couple of ensigns were taking the skin of their ship's mascot, a goat (natch!) to a taxidermist when they stopped by the Army Navy game being played that year in Baltimore. They discovered that Navy was losing at halftime. So, in desperation, one of the ensigns wrapped himself in the goatskin and ran around the field in an attempt to rally the midshipmen. Of course, the Navy won the game and the goat was determined to have been lucky! So a live goat came to the game the following year, and the rest is history. Oh, no! Don't thank me for illuminating you! I do it as a public service!

1939

So there you have it, folks! And thanks to my son, Josh, for a great weekend!

                                            Fair Winds, 

                                                        old Salt

        

                                  

                 

                                 

 

1795 TIME CAPSULE!!

12 December 2104: How cool is this! A time capsule, from 1795, is taken out of the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Authorities believe it was likely placed by Sam Adams and Paul Revere. 1795 is when the work was begun on the State House and Samuel Adams was governor of Massachusetts at the time.  Talk about history coming to life!

the Corner Stone

 It's a small box, now green with corrosion and age, but still apparently intact. The capsule, originally encased in cowhide, was removed in the mid- 19th Century to transfer it to a copper box (hence the green colored corrosion!), will not be opened until it is throughly examined and x-rayed. The corner stone was moved in conjunction with an on-gong water filtration project at the building.
A conservator from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts carefully chiseled at the stone, removing pieces bit by bit until the box was freed. It took several hours, apparently. 

Pamela Hatchfield, Conservator, with the capsule

 

 

Secretary of State, Paul Galvin, suggested the box and its contents would be returned to the site next year after a thorough examination. The condition of the contents - or what they might be - is unknown at this point.Stay tuned, I will try to keep you updated as this evolves. But it's bound to be exciting!

New Subject: Saturday, 12/13/14 (!) is the Army Navy Game. Traditionally a great rivalry between two of our warfighter institutions. The really exciting news about this is that it will be played at the Ravens' Stadium in Baltimore . . .  and your humble scribe will be in attendance! Hopefully, the Midshipmen will continue their brilliant record of 12 wins in a row over the Cadets of West Point ! 
Either way, it will be a wonderful spectacle! And a huge thanks to my son, Josh, for scoring the tix! 

"Go NAVY, beat Army!" long time sentiment of Squids and Marines

                                          Fair Winds,
                                            Old Salt