0715 hours

Mrs. Barton and Mrs. Lawler serve a warming breakfast of oatmeal, cereal, and breads. Don't judge it by Kaeli's expression!

0900 hours

After breakfast, the students begin their experiments in earnest. Both Kaeli and Esther are conducting experiments that require them to take water samples from various depths, so they work together to operate the Van Dorn sampler.

1130 hours

Zora's experiment requires that the wind speed be measured at the same time both on deck and in the top. This gives other students an opportunity to spend time aloft. Here, Mr. Terry has accompanied Rebecca V. and Tori into the rig so they can measure the wind speed...

...while Zora takes simultaneous readings from the weather deck.

1200 hours

Many of the students' experiments involve taking samples from the water's surface alongside the ship. We gather these samples the old-fashioned (that is, the 17th century) way -- with handmade canvas buckets, as Charlie is using here.

Meanwhile, Mr. Beiter devotes a few minutes to what he assures us is deep contemplation.

1300 hours

The latest Zodiac expedition is now returning with their discoveries...

...so it's time to serve lunch. Today we're having hamburger soup -- warm and filling for a cool day.

Most of the students retreat below decks with their meal to rest out of the sun.

1430 hours

Let's follow the Zodiac crew out on an expedition. With Mr. Morel at the tiller, Mr. Beiter offers his scientific guidance as Rebecca V. and Shaé go searching for flora and fauna to study.

Although New York Harbor is obviously a highly urban and industrial area, it's still home to a wide variety of wildlife. Near our anchorage, we head toward this green stretch of the Brooklyn waterline. Depending on the time of day (specifically, the state of the tides), students may be able to step onto dry land as they look around.

Unfortunately, the tide won't allow us to do that on this expedition (the rocky beach is now underwater, leaving only a few jutting stones), so we explore the pilings along the remains of an old pier.

After several tries, our crab trap comes up empty, but Rebecca V. and Shaé are still able to collect several samples of seaweed and other forms of marine plantlife.

1600 hours

Back on the ship, Mr. Weisse has started teaching the students how to tie knots in between data collections.

1700 hours

Research continues apace. Tori is about to use this stopwatch and a biodegradable wooden "biscuit" to measure the current speed.

Meanwhile, Jon is helping out by using the lead line to take a sounding -- a method for measuring water depth that Hudson's crew performed exactly the same way.

1730 hours

Now that all of the Zodiac expeditions for this leg of the journey have returned, Dr. Jacobs gathers groups of students in the forecastle to study the lifeforms the students collected for the aquarium...

...including three live crabs, such as this fellow here (this photo is approximately life size). Dr. Jacobs has the students draw the crabs, paying close attention to their anatomy. Later, using some of the field guides in our research library, the students attempt to identify the crabs' species.

1745 hours

Up on the fore deck, Mr. Weisse's knot students have become so skilled that they can now tie a bowline with their eyes closed.

Meanwhile, down on the weather deck, Kyle continues to work with Tori to measure the current speed.

1815 hours

As the afternoon winds down, most of the students have completed the research for their projects. (A few need to take a few more readings tomorrow morning, as we move upriver, to gather samples from different locations.) While waiting for dinner, the students relax and practice their knot tying.

1830 hours

Dinner is served! Tonight it's meatloaf, beans, and corn cassarole.

After dinner, as part of her watch rotation, Shae reports to the galley to help the cooks wash dishes. They make quick work of it.

2000 hours

As the sun sets and the air grows cooler, the students retreat to the orlop deck. As they relax, they break into an impromptu singalong.

2015 hours

Captain Reynolds gathers everyone on deck for our nightly anchor watch briefing. Since we haven't changed locations since last night, everyone already understands what to look out for here -- we just need a reminder. Since the briefing goes so quickly, the captain pulls out our electronic "mail bag" and reads out the letters you sent to our crew members. You can read some responses below.

After mail call, the students return to their bunks to update their journals before lights out at 2200 hours. They'll need their sleep; they give their presentations tomorrow afternoon.

The student crew was happy to answer the questions you sent to us via e-mail. Thanks for your queries and words of support, and keep those messages coming!

 

Mark writes: What does it sound like in [New York] harbor at night? Is it full of lots of noises that make it hard to sleep? Or is it very quiet? Does the boat rock much as you sleep?

	Kaeli responds:It is quiet except for an occasional boat/airplane/helicopter. The boat rocks a lot, but I like it. It puts me to sleep.
	Robert responds: Just a note about the harbor at night: It is really quiet and is disturbingly quiet at anchor watch. But it is really nice when you go to sleep. It is quiet and the boat rocks you to sleep…
	Shaé responds: 1. The harbor is really quiet at night. 2. The boat rocks a lot but doesn’t bother you if you are trying to sleep.
	Tori responds: No, the harbor is very quiet; the boat is what is loud.
	Zora responds: Even though we’re near New York City that doesn’t mean we can hear it, but we do sure hear the boat at night. It’s always creaking and it’s hard to be quiet so you don’t wake anyone up.

 

Tecla writes: Is Dan Barton OK?

Mr. Mangrum responds: Anyone who's spent time on the Half Moon knows Dan Barton, who often serves as first mate and engineer. For anyone who's wondering why he didn't accompany his wife Rosemary on this voyage, don't worry; Dan's fine. He's just taking a break after serving as an officer for the full length of our Three Rivers Voyage of Discovery this past June and July.

On this date in 1609:

The twelfth, very faire and hot. In the after-noone at two of the clocke wee weighed, the winde being variable, betweene the North and the North-west. So we turned into the River two leagues and Anchored. This morning at our first rode in the River, there came eight and twentie Canones of men, women, and children to betray us; but we saw their intent, and suffered noone of them to come aboord of us. At twelve of the clocke they departed. They brought with them Oysters and Beanes, whereof wee bought some. They have great Tobacco pipes of yellow Copper, and Pots of Earth to dresse their meate in. It floweth South-east by South within.

-- Robert Juet's Journal.