Tag: history

Historic Boats

Historic Boats

History and boating come to life in the warmth of the southeast coast. Experience what life was like aboard this collection of historic boats and yachts, which are available for day trips, evening events or private charter tours.

When & If

When and If

When World War II was drawing to a close, General George S. Patton was contemplating retirement and his post-war life. He commissioned the famous naval architect John Alden and the F.F Pendleton shipyard to design and build a custom 63-foot schooner for him and his wife, Beatrice. He said at the time, “When the war is over, and if I live through it, Bea and I are going to sail her around the world.” Unfortunately, General Patton died of heart failure in 1945 without the opportunity to fulfill his dream. The boat was commissioned When and If and kept in the Patton family until 1975. It has now been beautifully restored and is available for charter at Stock Island Marina under the management of Sunset Sail Key West.

sunsetsailkeywest.com

KINGFISHER

Kingfisher

In 1928, Frank Pembroke Huckins invented one of the first planing hull forms, the Huckins Quadraconic hull, which became the renowned “Fairform Flyers.” Famous in the 1940s as builders of the durable Navy PT boats that helped the Allies win the war in the Pacific, Huckins Yachts went on to become one of the preeminent yacht builders.

KINGFISHER is a supreme example of a Huckins motor yacht and is available for day cruises, special events and weekend charter excursions so the public can experience the classic yachting life. KINGFISHER has recently undergone a complete restoration and is based in Palm Beach, Florida, for the winter season and in Charleston, South Carolina, during the spring and fall.

kingfishervintageyacht.com

String of Pearls

String of Pearls (formerly Pearl Necklace)

When the founder of the company that would become Berkshire Hathaway wanted a new yacht built in 1957, he commissioned naval architect Geerd Hendel and boat builder Malcolm Brewer to design and build Pearl Necklace. The 71-foot yacht was a gift to his wife, who had requested a simple strand of pearls for her birthday. The owner drove PT boats in World War II, so the yacht was equipped with four engines. Built for speed, he often raced his friend and neighbor, Jack Kennedy, on Cape Cod Bay. Now docked at the Morningstar Marina in St. Simons Island, Georgia, the renamed String of Pearls is available for day excursions, sunset cruises or private events.

stringofpearlsssi.com

Want more history? Try Presidents on Yachts

Presidents on Yachts

It’s not all hosting parties and poker games. Plenty of diplomacy discussions and secret salvations happened aboard. These are the secrets of Presidents on Yachts that shaped history.

There is a storied history of Presidents on Yachts– including some secrets hidden from the general public. One such example: in 1893, President Grover Cleveland (above) was in a major political battle over repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. His position was opposed by many in Congress as well as by Vice President Adlai Stevenson, grandfather of the 1950’s presidential candidate bearing the same name. On June 18th, while the debate raged, Cleveland noticed a rough spot on his palate and when the presidential doctor stopped by for a social visit, his quick examination revealed there was a lump. Sending samples to the Army Medical Museum and a consulting doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the diagnosis was a cancerous growth. The doctor reported the finding to President Cleveland adding, “Were it in my mouth, I would have it removed at once!”

Learning that the cancerous tumor had to be removed from his jaw, Cleveland hesitated because he was worried the news of his ill health and surgery would strengthen Stevenson’s position. Under pressure to have the surgery promptly, the President grudgingly consented, but only if the condition and circumstances of surgery be kept secret. That meant he could not be admitted to a hospital because word would be leaked quickly to the press.

Whisked Away

Presidential advisors devised an ingenious plan for the President to take a vacation cruise aboard the ship Oneida, which would sail leisurely up the East River in New York. On June 30th, President Cleveland arrived in New York with some friends for what most people thought was the beginning of a presidential vacation. Already on board, however, was a team of doctors who were secretly escorted to the Oneida hours earlier.

M/Y Oneida housed President Cleaveland when he needed a secret surgery.

Describing the scene that evening, H. Paul Jeffers, author of An Honest President: The Life and Presidencies of Grover Cleveland, wrote, “Nobody watching from Pier A could have suspected that the president was in New York for a grim purpose. He settled into a deck chair, lit a cigar, and chatted until midnight as though he were a man without a care.”

The ship’s bar had been converted into an operating room, and on the following day, Cleveland underwent the operation while strapped in a barber’s chair. As the Oneida moved along at half speed, a dentist pulled two teeth, and the surgeons removed the entire upper left jaw from the president’s mouth. A rubber prosthesis was fitted to form an artificial jaw that proved undetectable.

Declaring the surgery a success, President Cleveland was on his feet in three days and went ashore unassisted. The conspiracy of silence was so complete that it took nearly a quarter century before a full account of Cleveland’s cancer and surgery was revealed. President Cleveland’s position prevailed over that of his vice president as Congress repealed the silver clauses of the Sherman Act on August 28, 1893.

That historical footnote is one example of the way American presidents have used yachts. Before Camp David offered a president privacy and refuge and long before Air Force One lent itself to presidential travel and decision making, many U.S. presidents used yachts as places to conduct official business, relax with family and friends or conduct secretive negotiations. Although Oneida was not an official presidential yacht, those that were offered presidents the privacy and solitude they needed to make important decisions. What follows are some fascinating details about several presidential yachts and how they were used.

River Queen

While guiding the nation through the pains of a civil war, President Abraham Lincoln, on several occasions, used the River Queen. The steamer was leased by the Quartermaster General War Department from George N. Power at the hefty price of $241 per day. On that vessel, Lincoln held a peace conference with Confederate representatives Vice President Alexander H. Stevens, Senator Robert M.T. Hunter and Assistant Secretary of War John A. Campbell at Hampton Roads on February 3, 1865. At the end of March, Lincoln met with Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman and David Dixon Porter on the River Queen to discuss the end of the Civil War.

Mayflower

The 275 foot Mayflower was used by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt used the Mayflower for diplomacy. Anchored in Oyster Bay, New York, near his Sagamore Hill home, the ship served as a floating negotiation center for delegates to the 1905 conference that ultimately ended the war between Russia and Japan and earned Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize. During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson wrote these words from his cabin aboard the 275-foot Mayflower: “A point is reached where I must escape for a little while.” It was essential, he told a daughter, “to get away from the madness… of Washington for a day or two, not to stop work… but to escape people and their intolerable excitements and demands.”

Potomac

Franklin Delano Roosevelt often sailed on two presidential yachts, the Sequoia and the Potomac. On both ships, Roosevelt had an elevator installed to aid his movements between decks. On the Potomac, the elevator was concealed in a false smokestack. The elevator was operated by the President using a rope and pulley. An electric motor could easily have been installed, but Roosevelt used the elevator as a form of exercise. In 1939, he entertained King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England.

In her book No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, author Doris Kearns Goodwin writes “For the president (Roosevelt), the Potomac offered the perfect escape from both the heat of Washington and the persistent ring of the telephone. Having loved the water since he was a child, he enjoyed nothing more than sitting on the deck, an old hat shading his head from the sun, a fishing rod in his hands. The Potomac was not a luxury liner but a converted Coast Guard patrol boat, rough and ready, tending to roll with the waves, a sailor’s boat, with a fair top speed of sixteen knots.”

Roosevelt used the yacht to entertain politicians, host world leaders, play poker with friends, work on his stamp collection, and on one occasion, broadcast a “fireside chat” to the nation from a tiny radio room on board.

USS Williamsburg

By the time Harry Truman assumed office, the Potomac had been condemned by the Navy Department as being unfit for duty in open waters. As a result, the USS Williamsburg was commissioned the new presidential yacht. President Truman first cruised on the Williamsburg on November 10, 1945, and then used the ship to entertain a variety of foreign leaders including Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Williamsburg was manned by the U.S. Navy involving 8 officers, 130 enlisted men, and 26 stewards.

Sequoia

The m/y Sequoia as the longest-serving executive yacht.

Herbert Hoover loved spending time on the Sequoia. She was the longest-serving of the executive yachts. He was often seen playing medicine ball on its top deck. In 1932, the questionable decision to use a photo of the yacht as the centerpiece of his annual Christmas card drew mass criticism from a public who found such promotion to be indicative of Hoover’s inability to grasp the suffering caused by the Great Depression.

During subsequent presidencies, two of the most important decisions of the 20th century were made on the Sequoia. Franklin Roosevelt and General Dwight D. Eisenhower made plans for D-Day while aboard. Harry Truman is said to have pondered his decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan while in seclusion on the Sequoia.

Faced with the decision to resign as a result of the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon boarded the Sequoia. Writing about those hours, Nixon’s daughter, Julie, recalls being invited to join “mother and him for dinner on the Sequoia. I do not think anyone in the family, with the exception of my father, ever thoroughly enjoyed the rather public rides on the Sequoia, but we recognized they were relaxing for him.

Being on the Sequoia was like bobbing along in a glass bottle. The boat moved at a snail’s pace, with no particular destination and under full view of escort Coast Guard speedboats. Now, in August of 1974, a flotilla of press accompanied us also. Reporters and photographers were posted as well at every bridge. We were the subject of a deathwatch.” Four days after the Sequoia trip, Nixon announced his resignation from the presidency.

The end to an Era of Presidents on Yachts

The Sequoia faithfully served several of the nation’s more recent presidents and their families. John F. Kennedy celebrated his last birthday on board the ship. Lyndon Johnson used it several times, although his height caused him problems due to the low ceilings. Johnson had the floor of the shower in the presidential stateroom lowered six inches so he could stand up in the shower. He also had a bar installed in place of Franklin Roosevelt’s wheelchair elevator.

Finally, when Jimmy Carter became president, he deemed the Sequoia a waste of taxpayer money. He said there was no need for the yacht. As a result, it was auctioned off for $286,000 in 1977.

By Victor M. Parachin, Southern Boating July 2018
All photos are from U.S. Library of Congress

Fascinated by Tall Ships? Get Onboard!

Big, beautiful and majestic, there’s far more to Tall Ships than meets the eye.

I know exactly when I first fell in love with tall ships. It was 1976, and I was taking a break from my summer job as a clammer on Long Island, New York’s Great South Bay. With a bushel of little necks already racked, I was off to a great start that morning so I took an early lunch. Pulling up onto the shore of Fire Island, I cut through the dunes and sat down just beyond the reach of a gentle surf.

That’s when I saw them: tiny dots growing steadily on the southern horizon. Within minutes, three tall ships were in full view, the lead volley for Operation Sail 1976, and celebration of the American Bicentennial. They were en route to New York Harbor for what was to be the largest assemblage of tall ships since the Battle of Navarino in 1827. In that Mediterranean encounter on the Ionian Sea, Allied forces from Britain, France and Russia defeated Ottoman and Egyptian forces trying to suppress the Greek war of independence. It was to be the last major naval battle fought entirely with sailing ships.

I was mesmerized, having never seen such magnificence upon the water and having no idea about Operation Sail until seeing news clips of it on television the next evening. I watched the ships continue to head directly toward my position until about two miles off the beach, where they veered to port and paralleled the coast heading west. Sails fully expanded despite nothing more than a wisp of tailwind, I imagined them to be the Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria discovering the New World and marveled at their strength and steady progress even while wondering how they could have safely traversed such an enormous and treacherous expanse as the open Atlantic.

“You’re not alone if you are fascinated by traditional ships,” says Capt. Jan Miles, long-time skipper of the tall ship Pride of Baltimore, a regal Baltimore Clipper, circa 1812 war privateer. “Not only do people love these vessels, they are drawn to them, and it’s not just for the history. Today’s fleet offers the opportunity to learn life lessons while out on the water and to challenge yourself in unconventional ways. They serve as floating learning centers and teach us about the awesome power of nature, teamwork and clarity in communication.”

The Heights of History

Obviously, the place of these majestic vessels from a historical perspective is hard to deny. Over the centuries they have been used for exploration, exploitation, trade, war, and transportation. For more than 400 years they expanded the world through transoceanic voyages, served as an expression of military might and colonial aggression, ferried supplies, transported slaves, and sheltered pirates. The tall ships were modified in shape and form as craftsmen, architects and artisans stretched their knowledge of navigation, engineering, woodworking, and other technical crafts in a never-ending quest to go faster, build bigger and push further.

As the world gravitated from wind- to steam- and gas-powered vessels for even more speed, range and carrying capacity, many tall ships were recycled as fishing boats, especially in the waters off Alaska where they hauled salmon by millions of pounds per year. Today, they serve not only as a reminder of a proud and sometimes checkered past but as relevant, modern-day mechanisms for learning and growing on a personal level.

“One of the best aspects of tall ships in the modern world is that almost anyone can come aboard and participate if they really want to give it a try,” says Jessica Wurzbacher, Executive Director of Oliver Hazard Perry, a 200-foot, three-masted, full-rigged (square-sail) ship commissioned in 2016. Historical looking above decks, this vessel has a steel hull and a modern below-decks space that includes air conditioning, hot showers, a full classroom, and even a library. “Everyone who comes aboard our ship has to work together as part of our crew; we don’t carry any passengers. With an exciting upcoming sailing schedule, it’s possible to depart from a port near home if you live within a reasonable drive from the coast.”

For students, explains Wurzbacher, the educational aspects are especially attractive. Sailing on a tall ship affords unique ways to learn outside of traditional classroom settings and is far more hands-on. Still, it’s the sense of community that is often most rewarding on these voyages.

“Once you leave port, it isn’t long before the ship is miles away from land,” says Wurzbacher, “and it’s the accomplishment of what you can all do together that makes
things click. Just the feeling of being sufficient as a team in your own little bubble on the ocean is amazingly gratifying. You have to make do with what’s on board and everyone pulls together for a common goal. It’s a tremendous experience.”

Former Capt. Donald Peacock and his son, the current Capt. Alex Peacock have each skippered the very near interpretation of the 1812 Baltimore Clipper square sail war privateer, Lynx. Like most modern-day, tall ship operations, this vessel seems to be always on the move. Sporting a very sharp hull with appealing sheer
lines, fairly low freeboard and raked-back masts, she has sailed from the Canadian Maritime to Cuba, through the Panama Canal, on the Great Lakes, to Ha and spent 9 years on an education mission along the West Coast—all this in just 16 short years. With square sails, she is more strenuous to maneuver than a simple schooner, but the challenge of keeping her on point and at speed adds extra sweetness to each passage.

“Wherever we put into port,” points out the elder skipper, “we offer free deck tours to expose the traditional rigging and appeal of these ships to people and impress that much of what was relevant then remains relevant now. The Egan Maritime Institute of Nantucket and the Lynx Educational Foundation collaborate in creating a maritime educational experience for anyone, but especially kids in middle school grades. To support our educational mission, we incorporate revenue day sails, charters, corporate work, television, and movie work into our yearly schedule.”

Sailors Forever? Maybe Not

Interestingly, neither Miles, Wurzbacher or Peacock aim to make sailors out of anyone who steps aboard. Instead, they hope to separate both kids and adults from their electronic devices and induce everyone to focus on personal growth and self-awareness. “Far more important than learning about the wind or navigation,” states Peacock definitively, “is understanding teamwork, responsibility and simple chain of command. Everything we do on these boats is hands-on. From learning about a day in the life of a sailor to firing the guns, the focus is always on education and promoting personal development. From there, if someone truly finds a connection to the sea, they’ll know it through osmosis.”

Of course, if you just want to get a little closer to a tall ship or perhaps enjoy a simple tour, catch them at a variety of tall ship events, seafaring festivals and maritime gatherings held at deep-water seaports along the coast. To crew, you’ll need to dig a little deeper and contact the ship’s operations station. Check below for specific information regarding 2018 tall ship events, the Tall Ship Challenge, and sailing schedules/tours/services for individual vessels.

“If you have any interest in crewing or joining a voyage,” advises Wurzbacher, “make your plans as soon as possible because spaces are limited on most ships and they do fill quickly. Once you sign up, however, you’ll be well rewarded for the effort. No matter the length of the program, you’re sure to come away with more salt in your blood, even if you are already a serious boater.”

Find your own Adventure

If you want to take a deck tour, enjoy a cruise or even crew aboard a tall ship, there’s a good chance one will be visiting a deep-water port in your area. Seafaring festivals are a logical place to track down these vessels, and an Internet search will easily put the information at your fingertips. Licenses or special coursework are not required to volunteer on Tall Ships. Additionally, many tall ships have education outreach programs and set up private charters for corporate or organization excursions. Those who sign up to crew can expect to mentor students in the realities of life aboard a tall ship: setting and striking sails, maintaining the vessel, standing watch, navigating, performing safety drills, etc.

Tall Ships

Elissa: 409-763-1877 • galveston.com/texasseaportmuseum
Home Port: Galveston, TX

Lynx: 978-479-2197 • tallshiplynx.com
Summer: New Market, NH • Winter: St. Petersburg, FL

Oliver Hazard Perry: 401-841-0080 • ohpri.org
Summer: New England and Canadian Maritimes
Winter: Caribbean, Cuba, Southern USA

Pride of Baltimore: 410-539-1151 • pride2.org
Home Port: Baltimore, MD

When and If: 305-697-1024 • sailwhenandif.com
Winter: Key West, FL • Summer: usually touring

2018 Tall Ship Events

Tall Ships® New Orleans 2018: April 19-22
Six tall ships along the NOLA Mississippi Riverfront
tallshipsnola2018.com

Tall Ships Challenge Gulf Coast 2018
Gulf Coast and additional locations
tallshipsamerica.org

By Tom Schlichter, Southern Boating February 2018

Hamilton History in Nevis

Create your own Hamilton adventure in Nevis

History is hot, hot, thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway hit, Hamilton: An American Musical. If you’re a fan of the show and have been swept up in the recent Hamilton mania, take a trip to the Leeward Island of Nevis, where Alexander Hamilton—whose life story is the basis of the musical—was born in 1757.

From these humble beginnings, he later achieved fame as the first Secretary of the U.S. Treasury and father of the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, Hamilton House, located on the waterfront in Charlestown on the original site where the family is thought to have lived, showcases a series of storyboards that depict Hamilton’s life and accomplishments. The museum is just one of several historic sites on this 36-square-mile island, which also offers plenty of 21st-century charms.

Visiting Nevis by boat will get easier in December, when the island’s first marina is scheduled to open at Tamarind Cove, a 15-minute drive from Charlestown and the Hamilton museum.
nevisisland.com

By Carol Bareuther for Southern Boating, October 2017
Photos by Ian Holyoak/Nevis Tourism Authority and Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. 

View additional Caribbean Updates:

Kodiak Queen
Optimist World Championships

Spanish Wells

Spanish Wells: a cruising crossroads

For the cruising boat, Spanish Wells sits at the crossroads of the Abacos, Nassau, Exumas, and other Out Islands of The Bahamas. It has a long history of European
settlement, stretching to the 17th century, but seemingly hasn’t changed much in all that time. The name Spanish Wells really refers to the town itself and is usually applied to the general area. It is made up of three closely spaced islands separated only by the narrow harbor. St. George’s Cay is where the primary settlement lies, but it is connected by a low bridge to Russell Island just across from the waterfront, where many homes and fishing boats can be found. At the east end of the harbor, Charles Island is uninhabited but protects the town and harbor from strong south winds and seas. All of this lies just off the northwest tip of Eleuthera and at the north end of the Exumas section of the Great  Bahama Bank.

Fresh well water was discovered here during the period of European exploration, a precious commodity in those times, leading to the name of the settlement. The first European settlers were part of the Eleutheran Adventurers group shipwrecked on the Devil’s Backbone in 1647 who used a cave as shelter.

Coming from Bermuda seeking religious freedom, part of  the group ultimately  established themselves on St. George’s Cay. More settlers arrived as Loyalists from the newly independent United States in the late 1700s and sought refuge elsewhere in the British empire, but they were only allowed to come if they gave up their slaves. The result was an isolated, religious, independent community that remained so well into the 20th century. In the 1970s and ’80s, the town emerged from that solitude to become the premier commercial fishing port in The Bahamas, supplying “crawfish” (spiny lobster) to much of The Bahamas. Today, this is one of the wealthier towns in these islands, with well-maintained homes and businesses painted in bright pastel colors.

Spanish Wells is a popular and enjoyable stop for cruisers, with many attractions on land and in the water, a well-protected harbor, marine services, and numerous anchorages nearby among the surrounding islands. The primary entry is between Russell and Charles Islands, a narrow but well-marked and dredged cut with good depths. This entrance is used by freighters, large fishing boats and the fast ferry and is relatively straightforward.

Once through the gateway, turn sharply to port to reach Spanish Wells Yacht Haven, a full-service marina with excellent facilities, or turn to starboard to reach the small mooring field at the east end of the harbor. If you are arriving directly from the U.S. or elsewhere, you can clear customs at this Port of Entry. There is a second entrance to the harbor from the east side between Charles Island and St. George’s. It is also well charted with minimum depths of about six feet but is most often used when heading to or from Harbour Island. Fuel is readily available in the harbor, and great provisioning is right on the waterfront; given that this is a fishing town, seafood can be found easily.

The waters around Spanish Wells and east along Devil’s Backbone are well-known for fantastic SCUBA diving. The reefs have claimed many ships over the centuries, and a number of these wrecks are at accessible depths and still visible, some by snorkeling. About six miles away, Current Cut is often done as a drift dive in strong currents. In addition, locals have created multiple artificial reefs with everything from railroad cars to old automobiles. There are several dive companies in town and on nearby  Harbour Island, and some of the sportfishing operations also offer dive trips. About eight miles away over the banks to the southwest, Egg Island has good surfing in a north swell on the ocean side but behind a sheltering reef.

By Rex Noel, Southern Boating October 2017

See more Bahamas Updates with these Fall Events.

Tall Ships in Charleston

There was once a day when tall ships with square sails were a regular sight in Charleston, South Carolina. For three days in May these magnificent ships will once again grace Charleston’s historic harbor. From May 19th through the 21st tall ships from around the world return to Charleston, as one of only two U.S. ports to host a tall ship event this year.

Ships on display range from historic military to merchant vessels and unique, privately built sailing yachts. One of the most interesting is the 63-foot schooner When and If built in 1939 by General (then Colonel) George S. Patton, who told the famed naval architect John Alden, “When the war is over, and if I live through it, Bea and I are going to sail her around the world.” General Patton would be happy with the condition in which the current owners have kept his proud ship. The largest of the international ships attending is the 205-foot, three-masted barque Alexander von Humboldt.

In addition to ships being open for tour, several will take passengers on a 90-minute sail around the harbor, including the Spirit of South Carolina, the Pride of Baltimore and the When and If. The festival has maritime events planned for all ages and interests. Families will have the opportunity to build small wooden skiffs over the three-day event. Other activities include a wooden boat show, a display of maritime art, live music throughout the weekend, and a Pirates Camp for “ye enjoyment ’n learnin’.” Proceeds from the event will be donated to Charleston Community Sailing, the Lowcountry Maritime Society, The Spirit of South Carolina, and Warrior Sailing. More information about the event can be found at tallshipscharleston.com.

Fleet Week Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale Air Show

Fleet Week allows the public an up-close and personal view of naval and Coast Guard

You may see a similar Super Hornet at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show.

ships along with an opportunity to meet the women and men that serve aboard them. Beginning with an opening ceremony on Monday, May 1st, the community will welcome visiting sailors, Marines and
Coast Guard personnel at Esplanade Park on the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk. Navy and Coast Guard vessels will be available and open for public tour Tuesday, May 2nd through Saturday, May 6th. All vessel tours are scheduled at specific times with a limited number of people allowed on each tour. Due to security restrictions, tours require registration prior to boarding any military vessel.

Visiting service personnel will be participating in vocational and recreational activities while in port. Military personnel will also be visiting local hospitals and schools while assisting with community service projects. Event details can be found at browardnavydaysinc.org.

Coinciding with Fleet Week is the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, with flight demonstrations on May 6-7. Military and civilian aircraft will perform flight maneuvers directly off Fort Lauderdale beach. Watch precision flying performed by U.S. Marine Corp Osprey aircraft and the Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds. Spectators on the beach will also enjoy paratrooper teams landing right in front of them. For more information and to purchase tickets go to fortlauderdaleairshow.com.

Common Nautical Phrases

Common Nautical Phrases

Do you know the origins behind common nautical phrases like ‘cup of Joe’? What about ‘as the crow flies’? ‘Shake a leg’?

It may come as a surprise that these common nautical phrases have interesting roots. While we cannot verify the historical context of these terms, they sure are a lot of fun!

Groggy

Meaning unwell the term groggy denotes a hangover from the alcoholic drink grog. The word grog comes from “Old Grog,” which was the nickname sailors gave to Admiral Vernon, the commander in chief of the West Indies. Admiral Vernon was renowned for watering down his sailors’ rum ration. This watered down rum become known as grog.

Three sheets to the wind

Very drunk. In sailors’ language, a sheet is a rope. If three sheets are not attached to the sails as they ought to be, the sail will flap and the boat will lurch around in a drunken fashion. Sailors had a sliding scale of drunkenness.  This common nautical phrase had s sliding scale: tipsy was “one sheet”, whereas falling over was “three sheets”.

As the crow flies

Crows like to be on dry land and will fly straight, bypassing rivers, water, and other obstacles to be ashore. Ships carried crows and in cases of poor visibility, scouts let one free and charted the bird’s flight to shore.

Additionally, the term ‘crow’s nest’ stems from an old Norse practice of attaching a cage full of crows to the mast. The crows were eventually phased out for more modern forms of navigation, but the term remained.

Chock a block

This nautical phrase came as a surprise. Chocks are wedges that secure moving objects. A block and tackle is a pulley system on sailing ships that hoist the sails. A possible derivation is that when two blocks of rigging tackle were so close together they couldn’t be tightened further, it was said they were “chock-a-block”.

Knows the ropes 

In sailing’s early days, this term was written on a seaman’s discharge to indicate that he was still a novice and only knew the names and uses of the principal ropes or lines. Today, this is mostly used conversely—to indicate that someone has an understanding of processes or procedures.

Cup of Joe

Josephus Daniels was appointed as Secretary of the Navy in 1913. Almost immediately, he banned wine and spirits from ships. From then on, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships was coffee, and over the years, a cup of coffee became known as “a cup of Joe”.

Shake a leg

This hotly debated phrase has multiple origin stories. However, one source claims that this phrase originates from the British Royal Navy—officers would order sleeping sailors to throw a leg out from their hammocks to wake up.

Son of a Gun

These days, this phrase is often used in polite conversation instead of a more vulgar term.

Traced this back to the British Royal Navy. Although the Navy had rules against it, they occasionally turned a blind eye to women joining sailors on long voyages. So, in the rare case where a child with uncertain paternity was born onboard, they were listed in the ship’s log as ‘son of a gun’.

Thanks to Navy.mil and phrases.org.uk for these fun facts and trivia. 

Do you know any fun facts about common nautical phrases? Let us know at in the comments!

History of Patrol Torpedo Boats

My first exposure to the term PT Boats (Patrol Torpedo) was courtesy of Ernest Borgnine in the 1960s sitcom McHale’s Navy. Set in the Pacific theater of World War II, the fictional crew of PT-73 were wacky but dedicated sailors, always outsmarting the enemy and Navy brass and made us laugh about an otherwise serious side of war.

Patrol Torpedo boats were fast, highly maneuverable and saw battle not only in the Pacific but also along the southern French coastline, the Mediterranean and in the defense of Italy. One such vessel named PT-305 survived dozens of operations, a few near-misses and, until about 10 years ago, decades of neglect. Now, it’s about to see action again on Lake Pontchartrain as part of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.

PT-305 at its final resting place in the National WWII Museum.

Beginning March 25th, PT-305—the world’s only fully restored, combat veteran PT boat—will launch 45-minute deck tours for the cost of $12-$15 per person. For those of you who are history junkies with $350 to spare, a thrilling 90-minute ride with a five-member crew helps bring history to life. “For the last 10 years, 200 volunteers put in 105,000 hours of blood, sweat and tears into the restorations,” says Stephen Watson, museum executive vice president. In December, Watson spoke to a gathering of reporters as the PT boat was carefully trailered through the streets of New Orleans from the museum’s restoration pavilion to a new permanent home. This final stop is currently undergoing completion as part of a redevelopment of the lake’s shores following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Many maritime facets of New Orleans are slowly coming back to life since Hurricane Katrina, and grandiose plans are in the works for an amphitheater, music studio and arts center adjacent to the idle South Shore Harbor Marina.

This is a homecoming of sorts for PT-305. Built in New Orleans by Higgins Industries nearly 70 years ago, the vessel was found by the museum in Galveston, Texas, showing the ugly scars of war and many modifications. By the numbers, PT-305 went to sea on 77 offensive patrols and operations, and she saw action in 11 separate naval skirmishes. She also participated in the sinking of three German ships during her 14-month deployment. After the war, the battle-hardened boat turned civilian in New York as a tour boat. She would later become a fishing boat and finally, after years of neglect, she resurfaced as a relic just waiting for rescue.

Watson says, “The restoration of PT-305, like all museum restoration projects, is aimed at making history accessible to today’s audiences in as detailed and authentic a way as possible.” Tickets for the launch of PT-305 are available online at pt305.org.

By Alan Wendt, Southern Boating Magazine March 2017

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

From its historic downtown to a sprawling landscape of canals, Fort Lauderdale is a cruising paradise.

If you cast off from the luxury and glamour of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, you’ll discover another side of the city. Although famous for its annual celebration of all things yachting, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area beckons to those who are looking for more opportunities to get out on the water.

It truly is a cruiser’s paradise—from the ICW glittering in the mid-day sun to delightful waterfront cuisine, there’s nothing quite like experiencing the area’s winding canals from the bow of a boat. If you only stay in the approximate area of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show you’re missing out on many of the city’s other waterfront offerings. Venture away from the show grounds and reap the rewards. There are plenty of things to do in Fort Lauderdale.

City on the Water

Fort Lauderdale is a city shaped by the development of its waterways. With over 300 miles of canals lacing through the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area, and over 165 miles of canals winding through Fort Lauderdale itself, the city is an engineering marvel and reflects hundreds of years of progress. The city’s topography has changed dramatically since Frank Stranahan made his home along the New River in 1893. The Stranahan House is now the oldest surviving building in the county, still nestled alongside and watching over the New River.

 

Fort Lauderdale has grown from a small pioneering settlement into a hub of architecture, arts, and entertainment. This cultural growth occurred largely due to the city government’s aggressive efforts to foster development beginning in 1986. Today, the New River sits in the heart of historic downtown and connects the arts and entertainment district with the Las Olas shopping and beach district. There are many ways to experience Fort Lauderdale, but none as true to the city’s unique history as discovering it by water. From exploring the Hillsboro Inlet to an offshore fishing expedition and arrival in Port Everglades, the area’s flavor opens up by boat.

In its early development, the ICW provided a safe haven for ships trying to avoid the many hazards of the Atlantic coast. Approximately 380 miles of the ICW wind through the eastern coastline of Florida, making it the ideal setting for exploration and a great way to experience the vibrancy that Fort Lauderdale and the rest of South Florida has to offer. From the water, cruisers will enjoy the historic scenery, beautiful sprawling houses and mega yachts as well as a large number of marinas. Walking alongside the canals simply doesn’t have the charm of cruising them. There’s a reason why they call Fort Lauderdale the Venice of America.

Movin’ and Groovin’

Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi system provides the opportunity to cruise the city’s many canals in novel fashion. Locals and visitors alike should consider jumping aboard for a nice change of pace. It’s an ultra-convenient way to travel, and its stops cover many of the highlights along the ICW. Take a tour to learn more about the history and geographical past of the New River and the ICW as well as their offshoot canals. The first stop along the Fort Lauderdale route is the Las Olas Riverfront. As an added bonus your Water Taxi ticket will give you a discount on dining and attractions along Las Olas. Continue on to see the Stranahan House, Beach Place and even Hugh Taylor Birch State Park—the only nature park on the Water Taxi route, situated right across from the historic Bonnet House. Paying a one-off fare for the Water Taxi will give you a round-trip ticket from your first stop to any other stop and back, at any time of day. watertaxi.com

If all the cruising and sightseeing leaves you famished, you’re in luck. Some of Fort Lauderdale’s best waterfront dining experiences can be found alongside the ICW. Situated next to the iconic Lauderdale Marina near the 17th Street Bridge, 15th Street Fisheries is one of the best seafood restaurants in town. An award-winning menu combined with stunning views of the ICW makes this a popular eatery for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy fresh seafood outdoors while watching the feeding of wild tarpon that hang out under the docks waiting for scraps from the restaurant’s chefs. Buy a bag of frozen shrimp from the nearby shop to feed them yourself.

Where to eat and drink in Fort Lauderdale

If you’re looking for a modern take on American cuisine and find yourself close to the Commercial Bridge, Kaluz is your stop. Classic décor combined with ample waterside seating allows for generous views of the ICW. The atmosphere is calm and fosters the perfect setting to sit and watch the sunset. Dockage is available if you arrive by boat, although space fills up quickly as the evening progresses. Open for lunch and dinner, some of the menu highlights include a delectable tuna tartare and jumbo lump crab dip as well as a variety of fresh seafood options.

On the north side of the Commercial Bridge, you’ll find Blue Moon Fish Co. For over 16 years this exquisite waterside restaurant has welcomed locals, transient visitors, and seasonal residents. Named one of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale for outdoor dining by the Sun Sentinel, Blue Moon Fish Co. is a must visit. If you’re looking for a more casual atmosphere try Coconuts, just south down the ICW. It offers great service and a full menu of fresh, quality seafood in a fun and relaxed outdoor setting. Finally, no visit to Fort Lauderdale is complete without a stop at the Floridian. Although you can’t bring your boat this fabled diner has great fare and is perfect for people-watching along Las Olas Boulevard. With free street parking for customers and a complete range of cocktails, the Floridian is a prime brunch location in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.

Venture north along the ICW and you’ll reach the Hillsboro Inlet. The inlet connects the Atlantic Ocean with the ICW and is guarded by the towering Hillsboro Inlet Light. This unique, iron lighthouse dates back to 1907 and is unlike any other in Florida. At 136 feet above sea level the lighthouse’s beam can be seen as far away as Bimini and is instantly recognizable due to the linear construction of its iron pilings. The Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society offers limited tours of the lighthouse—the next tour will take place on Sunday, November 6th at 8:30AM-11:00AM and leaves from Alsdorf Park. hillsborolighthouse.org

Head South

If you’d rather head south, cruise down the ICW past Port Everglades and you’ll arrive in Dania Beach. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Area has more than 23 miles of silky sand beaches with clear, mild water. Dania Beach is no exception with multiple awards for its “Blue Wave Beaches”. It’s no secret that Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas are always bustling with activity and vying for your attention, so if you need a reprieve from the hustle, smaller boats can head to Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (formerly known as John U. Lloyd Beach State Park). Pull up on the protected sandbar but keep an eye on the tide, since many have returned from a long walk only to find their boat beached.

The park is the perfect spot for a day at the beach or picnicking with friends and family and also has two boat ramps that provide easy access to the ocean via Port Everglades—one of the top cruise ports worldwide. If you don’t carry water toys on your boat, the park also provides canoes and kayaks, as well as surf fishing and nature studies. Park hours are from 8AM until sundown. floridastateparks.org/park/mizell-johnson

To get a great view of the setting sun make your way to the Dania Beach Fishing Pier. Grab a drink or a bite to eat at Quarterdeck and you’ll benefit from their great vantage point right above the ocean. Paying the admissions fee of $2.12 gives you pier access to wander its length or try your hand at fishing.

By Susanna Botkin, Southern Boating Magazine October 2016


MARINAS:
Bahia Mar
801 Seabreeze Blvd.
(954) 627-6309
bahiamaryachtingcenter.com

Dania Beach Marina
151 N Beach Road
(954) 924-3796
daniabeachfl.gov/marina

Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six
2301 SE 17 Street
(954) 525-6666
pier66.hyatt.com

Lauderdale Marina
1900 SE 15 Street
(954) 523-8507
lauderdalemarina.com

Sands Harbor Marina
125 N Riverside Drive
(954) 942-9100
sandsharbor.com

 

RESTAURANTS—
15th Street Fisheries
1900 SE 15 Street
(954) 763-2777
15streetfisheries.com

Bahia Cabana Restaurant & Bar
3001 Harbor Drive (A1A)
(954) 524-1555
bahiacabanaresort.com

Blue Moon Fish Co.
4405 W Tradewinds Ave.
(954) 267-9888
bluemoonfishco.com

Coconuts
429 Seabreeze Blvd.
(954) 525-2421
coconutsfortlauderdale.com

The Floridian
(not on waterfront)
1410 E Las Olas Blvd.
(954) 463-4041
thefloridiandiner.com

Kaluz
3300 E Commercial Blvd.
(954) 772-2209
kaluzrestaurant.com

Shooters Waterfront
3033 NE 32 Ave.
(954) 566-2855
shooterswaterfront.com

 

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