0700 hours

Starting Position: Docked at the Town Pier in Newburgh, NY.
Latitude: 41˚ 30.2' N
Longitude: 074˚ 00.3' W
Port Watch Leader: Nick.

Day Five of the Half Moon's voyage from East Hartford, CT to Hudson, NY.

Heavy rains rolled into the Hudson River Valley late last night, as that day's steeply rising humidity forewarned, and they are forecast to linger over the area well into tonight.

0800 hours

In deference to the weather, we serve breakfast on the orlop deck this morning. Today we're finally digging into the cider donuts the Robinsons brought along.

Meanwhile, down in the galley, Jack and his crew are already thawing meat for dinner.

0830 hours

Captain Reynolds calls for a crew meeting. With weather this wet and, in general opinion, miserable, we'd just as well remain docked at Newburgh for the day, but that won't be possible; we've borrowed the paddleboat River Rose's spot (external link), and they need it back.

0930 hours

Let's take the opportunity to look in on two of the least-seen positions on the ship: Lines One and Two. The Half Moon generally runs out four docking lines when moored. Lines Two and Three run out from the weather deck, and are often featured in the logs when the ship comes in to dock. Lines One and Two, on the other hand, must be handled in the cramped confines of the orlop deck.

To the right, Peter kneels at the ready at Line One, located in the rope locker at the bow of the ship.

(You can also see the faked anchor chain running out below him.)

Line Four runs out from the stern, where Alex must also take care to avoid the tiller as the whipstaff swings it back and forth.

0945 hours

We've cast off our lines and are once again underway upriver.

We're going to keep the log short today, and this photo of Mate Hansen should show you why: This is weather fit for neither cameraman nor beast.

1000 hours

Rather than thrill you with a stream of portraits of damp sailors in yellow slickers, we'll shift our attention belowdecks today.

All right, perhaps a bit father belowdecks.

Before we head down, however, let's just give due credit to today's lookouts.

The galley remains busy throughout the day. While Jack and his helpers prepare food, the rest of the galley residents stay out of the path of traffic while keeping dry.

Swantje spends the day focused on her canvas; we'll look on her again later.

1230 hours
Starboard Watch Leader: Peter.

After a short hop from Newburgh, Poughkeepsie comes into view on the easterns shore. After our success getting into Newburgh yesterday, Dawn Hopper has called ahead to secure a spot for the ship at Waryas Park.

1245 hours

We pass the dock and swing around to come in port-side-to.

1245 hours

Rachel and Steve step out onto the channel in preparation for our arrival. Once we reach the dock, they'll step across and handle our lines.

It's nice to know that even without pleasant weather or advance notice, the Half Moon can still draw a crowd when we arrive at a new port of call.

The crew stands at the ready as we pull into the dock just north of the Mid-Hudson Valley Bridge.

Sanne passes Line Three over to Rachel on the dock while Nick stands ready to pass Line Two.

With two lines secure on the cleats, Glen hauls in Line Two...

While Lisa heaves in Line Three and makes it fast.

Rachel and Steve walk Lines One and Four all the way down the dock and onto dry land, making them off on large, rooted pilings.

That done, the Half Moon is secure and today's leg of the journey is complete.

An interesting visual trait of rain is that it typically vanishes on camera (the raindrops are too small, too transparent, and too fast to capture), but we assure you that it is pouring right now.

1300 hours

Starting Position: Docked at Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Latitude: 41˚ 42.3' N
Longitude: 073˚ 56.5' W

The Half Moon will remain docked at Waryas Park overnight while we wait out the storm.

1315 hours

The crew is feeling water-logged, so Captain Reynolds grants them another afternoon of shore leave. Everyone who wants to go ashore is to report back by 1700 hours.

1730 hours

Not everyone is eager to step ashore; Swantje's bunk in the galley becomes an artistic studio for the rest of the day.

Alex sits nearby, making solid progress on his marlinspike water bottle. It's starting to take shape now!

1800 hours

The junior crew was also granted shore leave, and when Nick reports back to the ship he's fitted himself with his customary summer haircut. Now where have we seen this portrait before...?

The crew once again gathers on the orlop deck for a meal. We're having pasta for dinner tonight.

1900 hours

With the rain promising not to let up until late this evening, we shut down ship operations early and relieve the crew to return to shore leave. While some crew members seek out the nearest establishment with air conditioning, certain members of the crew -- the Potter Contingent, we shall call them -- muster their forces for an expedition to the local movie theater.

Once all hands return to the ship, the night passes quietly, and the rain does indeed come to an end.

Next Time: On a Slow Boat to Castleton.