CAPTAIN'S LOG
At Sea: Stormy Night
August 24, 2002
While off duty, a couple of crew members
try their hand at landing a big one. The skies are starting to
gray giving us a hint of the weather to come.
A big strike. However, this one was
to be recorded as the one that got away. I did see several photos
of the fish that had been caught from the stern of Eagle, some
very impressive.
At dinner this evening, Capt. Luke
was informed that we would be in for a rough night. The following
photos were taken about 2am. I could not use a flash. I used only
available light; and, there was very little.
The sea continued to build through
the afternoon and into the evening. The off duty crew had turned
in for the evening; however, I wanted the full experience. I wanted
to see how the crew handled Eagle in the rough seas. I found a
corner in the pilot house and a place to hang on. That evening
we had 55 knot wind gusts. At one point we listed to 45 degrees
putting the port rail in the water. The rail was about 25 to 30
above the water line. The Captain was called and he gave the order
to sail stations. All the crew member have an assigned duty during
sail stations. All those assigned to climb the rigging, going
aloft as high as 140ft to perform their duties to take in sail
that evening, had to be excited to say the least. I was happy
to keep my feet firmly on deck.
This photo and the two following are
very interesting. Note the figures in the rigging. Because of
the high winds, their job was to take in sail. The rain is horizontal
and winds are gusting to 55 knots. This is not a night to climb
the rigging in the middle of open ocean.
The crew members are in the center
of the photo pulling in sail.
All ended well that evening. All hands
are safe.
To my bunk for a little sleep.
Another beautiful day at sea.
The best to you, shipmates
Next
page Aug. 25
Return
to Eagle Voyage main page