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0800 Hours
Starting Position: Moored at Seaboard Marina in Glastonbury, CT.
Latitude: 41˚ 38.9' N
Longitude: 072˚ 37.3' W
Day Seven and the conclusion of our 2008 Fresh River Voyage of Discovery.
Last night, to celebrate the completion of their presentation projects, almost the entirety of the student crew packed themselves onto the weather deck to sleep under the stars. This morning, we have only a short distance to travel to our final destination, so we allow our students to sleep in to the princely hour of 0800.
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We also discover that Nick has competition for the title of Champion Wriggler; in his sleep, Jamie has managed to squirm around the capstan, past Alex's air mattress, and across half the weather deck. It's a good thing he didn't fit through the scuppers!
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0845 Hours
After the crew is roused and treated to a simple breakfast, Captain Reynolds gathers everyone for a quick briefing on what to expect upon our arrival at East Hartford.
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We then quickly move on to one of our favorite events on board the Half Moon: the presentation of official crew shirts to our new crew.
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These shirts are exclusive to those students and adults who have proven themselves able sailors and full members of the Half Moon crew.
Visit the Crew Pages to see our new student and senior crew members receive "the orange."
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0900 Hours
After the presentation, everyone changes into their new shirts, marking them as the proud, unified crew the Half Moon's sailors have become.
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0930 Hours
For the moment, it's time to turn from celebration to ship protocol.
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In preparation for our departure, Carolann and Nora work together to run up the ship's flags.
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1015 Hours
Students who are not currently engaged in ship's activities hurry to sign each other's shirts. Many Voyages of Discovery have resulted in forging bonds of friendship that continue to this day.
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1030 Hours
Time for our final departure. A building wave of excitement is already buzzing through our crew.
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As we cast off our lines and pull away from Seaboard Marina, our mast teams quickly turn their attention to setting the sails.
Here, Gabriel puts his back into sheeting the sail home.
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With the sails set, we clear our lines and sit back for a relaxed voyage upriver.
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We also send up a few eager crew members, such as Danielle here, to work the topmasts and prepare for our celebratory arrival.
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As we travel northward, we spot Ms. Reilly and Ms. Cosgrove on the westward shore -- one last Zodiac expedition to collect foraminifera before voyage's end.
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1100 Hours
A special guest joined us this morning at Glastonbury and will accompany us to East Hartford: a producer from Connecticut NPR. As we travel upriver, she collects ambient sounds and interviews the students for a piece that will be broadcast in a few days.
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1200 Hours
As we close in on the Goodwin Riverside Campus, we douse our sails and Mr. Schuijer assigns docking positions to the crew. Carlos will be passing Line Two to our assistants on the dock.
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1215 Hours
As East Hartford comes into view, we make our final preparations for arrival.
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The Half Moon is looking fine as we approach our destination...
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...and we've even dispatched David, Alex, Danielle, and Ms. Cosgrove to the mainyards just for extra flair.
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As we close in on the dock, a celebratory crowd is waiting to meet us...
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...but unfortunately, we run into a hitch. As it happens, a strong ebb current is flowing south, pushing us downriver. At the same time, a southerly wind of equal strength is pushing us upriver. As these forces meet, they push the ship's transom (the rear wall) back and forth, all but negating our ability to steer!
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These counteracting conditions force us to abandon our approach, turn around, and attempt to come in from the north.
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In the end, it takes us several attempts -- and an hour and half -- to reach the dock as an admirably patient crowd looks on.
Sometime nature cooperates with us, and sometimes not -- it's just a reality of sailing. Imagine if we didn't have an engine to assist us!
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1345 Hours
On our final attempt, Ms. Reilly and Ms. Read climb over the water to a towering "dolphin" piling to secure Lines One and Three. Using them as leverage, we quickly maneuver the Half Moon into position.
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1400 Hours
Final Position: Docked at Goodwin College Riverside Campus in East Hartford, CT.
Latitude: 41˚ 44.6' N
Longitude: 072˚ 38.7' W
At long last, the Half Moon is securely moored to the dock at the Goodwin College Riverside Campus. With no further ado, our crew disembarks...
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...and walks up the dock...
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...to be greeted by our admirers on shore.
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1415 Hours
At the arrival ceremony, the distinguished crew of the Half Moon is greeted by dignitaries, press, friends, family, and assorted well-wishers...
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...as well as Half Moon regulars who have come out to rotate into our crew for the days to come.
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Fox 61 Weatherman Joe Furie |
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East Hartford Mayor Melody Currey |
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Goodwin President Mark Scheinberg |
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Half Moon Captain William Reynolds |
Joe Furie, the weatherman for local affiliate Fox 61, assumes the role of master of ceremonies, offering a few introductory words.
He is followed by Melody Currey, mayor of East Hartford, who steps up to congratulate the students and speak about Goodwin College's extensive riverside rennovation projects.
The President of Goodwin College, Mark Scheinberg, is next, offering his own welcome to the Half Moon crew and speaking of Goodwin's plans for the future.
Lastly, Captain Reynolds takes the podium to congratulate the student and senior crew and discuss the Half Moon's programs.
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After our dignitaties have spoken, Captain Reynolds presents certificates of accomplishment to each of our student crew members...
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...who then go on to receive additional congratulations from the dignitaries in attendance.
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During our travel north this morning, the students were asked to vote for a single student crew member to represent them at this ceremony and prepare a few words for the adoring crowd.
Rather than elect a single student, our young crew chose to have both Nora and Tahari join forces to deliver an address.
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Deb Cowles concludes the ceremonies with a few quick congratulatory words of her own.
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1430 Hours
After the ceremony, the crew members are free to mingle with the crowd. While some immediately reunite with their families...
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...others take time to speak to the press.
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1515 Hours
After the ceremony, the crowd disperses -- but for the student crew, this Voyage of Discovery is not yet complete! Captain Reynolds gathers them up to return to the ship.
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The Half Moon will be open for public tours in just two days. Before the students are dismissed, they will help us set up for our dockside programs.
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Working together, the students soon rummage their gear and help position a gangway to allow safe access to the ship.
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1645 Hours
With their work finally done, the students amuse themselves (and drink their promised sodas) while waiting to be picked up by their families.
Ms. Read's lessons in sign language seem to have left an impression; while hanging out on the weather deck, several students try to work out the signs for "Sailing Ship Half Moon."
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And with that, we conclude the 2008 Fresh River Voyage of Discovery. Thanks to our senior crew and a particular congratulations to our student crew. We hope to return and see everyone again next year!
The Half Moon's Connecticut River Expedition is far from over, however. Thanks to our hosts at the Goodwin College Riverside Campus, a week of Dockside Programs follows our Voyage of Discovery. Follow the link to see more!
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