0800 Hours

Current Position: Anchored off Duck Island Roads in Long Island Sound.

More rain passed through the region last night, and as we rise this morning we see that it left thick fog in its wake.

0900 Hours

We intend to arrive in New London, Connecticut sometime today, but before we can go anywhere we need to attend to our snagged propellor.

Mr. Cardoza, Ms. Read, and Mr. Schuijer gear up and use the Zodiac to reach the Half Moon's rudder.

Among his other talents, Mr. Cardoza is a professionally trained diver, so it's his task to go in the water (which, fortunately, is not too cold) and free the prop. Mr. Schuijer and Ms. Read will act as his safety backup. Mr. Cardoza immediately finds 50 feet of line tightly wrapped around the prop and, with a little work, cuts it all free.

There is no sign of the lobster pot to which the line was once attached, and the propellor and shaft have not been damaged, so our work here is done.

A separate mechanical issue has also arisen -- a clog in our marine head -- but that can be looked into while we are under way.

1000 Hours

The crew is itching to get going. Down on the orlop deck, Ms. Giles shows Mr. Coolidge how to guide the anchor rode around the lower capstan.

Meanwhile, the capstan team stands at the ready on the weather deck.

The word is given, the anchor is raised, and we are soon on our way.

1030 Hours

One more salt water deck wash keeps the ship in fine condition -- and helps pass the time.

1300 Hours

The fog doesn't lift until shortly before we reach our destination. Not much sightseeing to be done today, I'm afraid, but everyone is keeping a keen eye out for strings of lobster pots.

1600 Hours

The skies begin to clear as we near New London's harbor, but just as we approach the city dock a torrential thunderstorm blows in. Despite the drenching rains, high winds, and lightning, we safely secure the ship, although a few crew members do get soaked. Naturally, shortly after we wrap up our operations, the storm dissipates.

1745 Hours

We have now arrived in New London. While some crew members pack up their gear and prepare to leave, Captain Reynolds and a few of his senior crew inspect the nearby docks.

The crew is happy to be on dry land in a new port and makes plans to explore the town tonight.

1830 Hours

Meanwhile, other crew members disembark and head home (making sure to get their photo taken first, of course).

1915 Hours

Almost too late, we remember our shirt ceremony. Each crew member who has just completed his or her first voyage has now earned the right to wear "the orange."

The new crew members receive their shirts to the cheers of a rapturous crowd.

For some crew members, the voyage ends here. Others will remain with the ship through the week, resting and preparing the the Voyage of Discovery to come.

Bonus Entry: Tuesday, June 24th

Mouse over for a closer look at the cake.

The day after we arrived in New London, Mr. Schuijer marked his 30th birthday. We secretly had an ice cream cake made to celebrate the occasion, and when we presented it to him, purely by coincidence, the woman who decorated the cake, Sam, happened to be just across the pier, working at a Mystic Whaler event. In yet another coincidence, it also happened to be Sam's 20th birthday! We invited Sam on board, and she was kind enough to slice her cake for us.

(And in yet another coincidence, on the same day, Mr. Mangrum's nephew Baxter was born up in Maine!)

Mr. Schuijer's cake used Mango Tango and Peach ice cream flavors. Everyone agreed it was delicious! The celebration lasted past sunset -- a nice bit of relaxation before the voyage to come...