0700 hours

Current Position: Docked at the Port of Albany, Albany, NY.
Latitude: 42˚ 16.26'
Longitude: 073˚ 48.09'

The Day Seven of our Spring 2008 Voyage of Discovery.

As we rise to meet the final day of our voyage, the senior crew gather in the galley for a coffee clutch.

0730 hours

Casey has helped Mr. Gorter prepare several meals, and has become one of his favorite galley assistants. No suprise, since we've discovered that skilled cooks run in her family.

0830 hours

The students get themselves organized as we gradually ramp up for the morning's events. The students rummage their gear once last time, packing up and collecting all of their bags in the center of the orlop deck.

Mouse over to unpack the box.

0845 hours

Volunteer crew member Frank Rodrigues joined us last night to help us prepare for the arrival ceremony. Acting as our weaponsmaster, he spends the morning setting up the swivel guns and cannons we'll use to salute Albany as we arrive.

The icon on the box is the logo of Captain Hudson's employers, the Dutch East India Company, or VOC.

1000 hours

We have a few last tasks to complete before we move out. First, we haul up the Zodiac to hang high along the ship's starboard hull. The students throw their weight into sweating and tailing the lines.

Here you can see Muhammad and Beniah sweating while Jacob and Jesse tail. Sweaters heave on the lines, using their full body weight, while tailers keep a tight grip on the line after it passes around a belaying pin and immediately take up any slack.

With everyone working together, the job is done in a few moments.

1045 hours

Captain Reynolds gathers the crew together at the capstan to discuss the day's events. But first, he wants everyone to give each other a high five for completing a fun and successful Voyage of Discovery.

He then describes the details of the arrival ceremony to the students, telling them what to expect.

1115 hours

Last but not least, Captain Reynolds also awards our new crew members with their official crew shirts. The only way to get "the orange" is to earn it by completing a voyage and demonstrating full knowledge of all necessary maritime skills. You can see our new crew members receive their shirts on the Crew Pages.

We take our group photos (see the end of this log), and everyone shows off their new Turk's head bracelets.

1115 hours

The time for us to depart is rapidly approaching.

Having set up the swivel guns on the Quarterdeck rails, Mr. Rodrigues has recruited Mr. Gorter to help him set up the falconettes (a small type of cannon) on the orlop deck.

1130 hours

We cast off our lines and leave the Port of Albany. As we go, we pass this massive freighter being loaded with wind turbine blades. Ships like these are the modern equivalent of the great sailing ships working the East India Company's spice trade in the era of the original Half Moon.

As we motor north, pull in our prepare our docking lines and fenders, but keep them at the ready for rapid redeployment.

1145 hours

We are closing in on our destination, just beyond the Dunn Memorial Bridge joining Albany and Renssaeler.

As we approach, we fly our flag, including special ceremonial banners hanginf from the yardarms.

Several students climb up to stand on the yards and help greet the crowds as we arrive.

Mouse over either falconette to give fire!

We fire a cannon salute to the waiting crowds. Of course, these cannons aren't loaded with cannonballs, but the blackpower still creates reverberating booms.

As we fire our salutes, we pass under the bridge and our destination comes clearly into view.

1200 hours

The Riverfront Pumping Station at the southern end of the Corning Preserve is the Half Moon's home in Albany. As we draw near, they fire their water cannons to celebrate our arrival.

Our students wave to the crowd as we pull up to the dock.

Several longtime Half Moon volunteers and alumni are ready and waiting to receive our dock lines.

Adoring throngs of friends and family cheer on our arrival. Everyone's welcome!

1215 hours

The Half Moon is securely docked and our crew gathers on the weather deck to disembark.

This includes the crew stationed aloft, who climb down to join us on shore.

One by one, crew members climb down the Jacob's ladder, cross the the floating platform...

...and congregate on shore. For most of the crew, this is the first time their feet have touched terra firma ("solid ground") since they first boarded in Yonkers.

As soon as everyone's on land, we head up to address the waiting crowd.

1230 hours

As we gather, Captain Reynolds greets the other officials...

...and a large crowd of well-wishers.

Top to bottom: Jerry Jennings, Astrid Glynn, and Fred LeBrun.

At the arrival ceremony, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings weclomes the Half Moon and acts as master of ceremonies, introducing each of the other speakers, including New York Commissioner of Transportation Astrid Glynn and Times Union columnist Fred LeBrun (who earned his crew shirt sailing with us in 1999).

After the guest speakers have offered their remarks, Captain Reynolds awards certificates of achievement to commemorate their accomplishments.

Lastly, Captain Reynolds addressed the crowd. He congratulated the students and thanked all those present...

...as well as thanking the crew and all those who make these Voyages of Discovery possible.

1300 hours

With that, the arrival ceremony came to an end. As the audience broke up, our crew mingled with the crowd, seeking out friends, family...

...and fuzzy fellows.

1300 hours

Our Voyage of Discovery had now reached its official end, but the crew wasn't done just yet. As the crowds dispersed, the students returned on board to move their gear off the ship, clean the ship, and -- of course -- sign each other's shirts.

And so concludes the Spring 2008 Voyage of Discovery of the Replica Ship Half Moon. Our students have now returned to their schools and families, but there's always more to do. Please visit our Learning Page to see even more about our shipboard activities.