24-Feb
0700
Ship’s Log: Sailing port tack broad reach under 4L and s.r. main, Wind NE F4 seas 6-8’, SOG 6.5 kts, c/o 190 PSC
Ship’s Position: 40°39.5’S 178°36.6’E, 90nm ExS of Cape Turnagain, Voyage: 806 nm
The world is in motion: pots and crashing and pans are clanging in the galley; mugs are clinking in their cabinet; tables are swinging on their gimbals; deep rumblings come from the science hold; and sailors stumble down the hallways. Today is Hayden’s day as assistance steward, and is a glorious day for lovers of food: bacon and coffeecake, tomato soup and grilled cheese, chicken and eggplant parmigiana. Also tackled the laundry mung today, which led me to realize that most of what we do here is spend time cooking and spend time cleaning.
Ice-cream for Charlotte’s birthday! A treat.
25-Feb
2300
Ship’s Log: Hove to (forced drifting) on a port tack under stays’ls and deep reefed main, wind SWxS F6, seas generally S’ly 6-10’, lookout posted aft
Ship’s Position: 42°38.3’S 177°9.7’E, 103nm SExS from Cape Palliser, North Island, Voyage: 991 nm
Weather forcasts predict a strong cold front heading our direction, winds above 35 kts predicted from the SW, with confused seas from the NE from the high pressure system we have been riding south the last few days. We still press south towards the Chatham Rise to sample the confluence of subpolar and subtropical water masses meeting. At the end of morning watch we hove the ship to and struck the mains’l and went on the bowsprit to furl the jib and jib tops’l (JT). During afternoon class we put a double reef in the mains’l, to reduce its surface area. Woke up at 2230 for mid-watch to find gusty winds and huge swells rocking the ship. Life lines were up and we clung onto the rails to stay on the high side of the ship.
Sarianna Helen and Sarah setting a deep reef in the main
26-Feb
0300
Ship’s Log: HT on port tack under stays’ls and d.r. main, Wind SWxS F6 gusts to F7 (Gale Force), seas 6-8’
1300
Ship’s Log: Hove to under stays’ls and d.r. main, Wind SSW F6, seas SW’ly 8-12’, skies 6/8 Cu,
Ship’s Position: 42°15.7’S 177°4.7’E, 89nm ESE of Cape Palliser, Voyage: 1016 nm
Gale force winds last night, reaching up to 41 kts! Also just before turn-over we passed 1000 nm on our trip log! Skipped the Sleep of Kings for blueberry pancakes (worth it). A little bruised from running into walls and poles that keep moving. At times like these I covet my jar of dirt. After the wind died a bit on our afternoon watch we prepared to get underway: set the jib and pass the stays’ls! We’re bound for the Chatham Rise and Wellington.
27-Feb
1900
Ship’s Log: Motor-sailing under stays'ls and d.r. main, steering 330 PSC, turning 1150 rpm, making 6.5 kts, Wind NW F4 seas E’ly 1-2’, 1/8 Ci skies
Ship’s Position: 41°51.5’S 174°40.5’E, 19nm ESE of Cape Cambell, Voyage: 1178 nm
After a sleepy dawn watch I crashed in my bunk in all my clothes. Awoke to sunny weather on deck, the wind has died a bit and seals were spotted off to port! Spotted land today, which we at first thought were clouds before realizing they were 8000’ mountains. Shipping traffic on the horizon as we approach Wellington. I suppose this is a good time to explain to non-New Zealanders the Tim-Tam-Slam: our favorite use of the airy and chocalaty Australian Tim-Tam cookie is to bite the two opposing corners off the rectangle and suck coffee through it, then eat it while it is drenched and all the chocolate inside has melted. We’ve been trying to see of the Twix-Fix will work back in the States.
Hayden on lookout on our approach to the South Island
28-Feb
0700
Ship’s Log: Hove to on a stbd tack under stays’ls, wind NNW F4, seas WNW 3’, skies 0/8
0702: Pass stays’ls, underway on a stbd tack, Main Engine online, course ordered 275 PSC, pitch to motoring, 0707: ME in gear, 1000 rpm ahead
Ship’s Position: 41°29.0’S 174°19.9’E, 9.5nm from White Bluffs, Voyage 1242 nm
Incliment weather in Cook’s Straight has forced us into port a day early. Today we are on the approach to an anchorage on the South Island, tucked away in the fjords of Queen Charlotte Sound. We entered channels of green forested hills and the bluegreen waters of Ngakuta Bay, Port Underwood. It was the perfect chance to have another Field Day at anchor, keeping Seamans sparkling and her woodwork shining. Harbor also meant the chance for a swim call, and the colder southern waters weren’t so bad when you jumped from the foredeck and bowsprit. Tonight we brought out the guitar and harmonica and sang in the cool summer evening.
The pool is open, and some relaxing on deck
1-March
1300
Ship’s Log: Motoring at 1200rpm, c/o 035 PSC, Winds NNE F3, seas 2’, clouds 2/8
Ship’s Position: 41°25.3’S 174°46.4’E, 1.75nm SWxW of Pencarrow Head, Voyage: 1303 nm
Woken from my Kingly Sleep to shouts of dolphin sightings! We all leaned over the rail to see them swimming and jumping in front of our bow. The South Island is behind is, for now, as Wellington becomes visible in the clouds across Cooks Straight. Morning class was disrupted by 11 dolphins swimming in formation, seeming to guide us into the harbor. All hands were mustered to General Quarters at 1440 upon our entrance of the harbor. We passed what looked like a Southern California landscape to see houses climbing the hills. I relieved Emily at the helm as we bustled around, getting dock lines and fenders ready. We soon realized that we were to dock right in the heart of the city waterfront. We were stood down at 1600, free to go ashore at last!
Dolphins and dolphin watchers, Cooks Straight
2-March
0000
Ship’s Log: Ship secure port side to Queens Wharf in position “2”. Dock watch set as per standing and night orders, Wind NNE F2
Ship’s Position: 41°17.1’S 174°46.8’E, Voyage 1312 nm
Today was our deck practical day, to see if we had in fact ‘learned the ropes’. We were tested on proper line handling, safety procedures, and sailing maneuvers. After class rented a pair of rollerblades and went on an adventure across the Wellington waterfront. It was a blustery day (hence: Windy Wellington) but the sun was shining and the breeze was cool off the ocean. I ended up finding my fellow shipmates on foot in the city, then headed back to our floating home. Took the chance to go aloft today and hang out on the forem’st, seeing the city from above. Tonight the deck was full of music as we enjoyed the chance to get a normal sleep schedule.
Mama Seamans at the center of everything, Wellington, and shipmates studying on deck
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