Monday night, Dear Husband drove us to Chicago to see the Tall Ship Serenity. The Chicago Maritime Society was hosting a fundraiser and it gave us the opportunity to board the Serenity and visit below decks. She has two compact living areas separated by an engine bay. As you can see below, she has two masts and four sails. She’s lovingly maintained. Her woodwork is glossy and the bright work gleams.
At 65 feet, Serenity is one of the smaller ships to participate in the Tall Ship festival. She’s a steel bottomed, gaff-rigged schooner that was built 1986. Her usual compliment is three, but she is certified to carry 34 passengers.
The Serenity sails out of the Cape Charles area of the Chesapeake Bay. Her owners rent her out for special occasions. The website is www.schoonerserenity.com If my pictures turn out, I'll have some closeups of her this weekend.
DH was quietly observing the construction and the rigging, assessing whether it could be sailed solo. He had technical questions for the owners and asked about the handling. I'm sure he envisioned himself at the helm. *S*
The Tall Ships were in Chicago last week. A number of them docked on the Chicago River to provide easier access for visitors. As the Bounty motored into the Chicago River, she brushed against one of the bridges and lost three spars at the top of her masts. The general opinion at the gathering was that the accident had made her more historically correct.
The ships sailed out of Chicago on Monday on their way to other ports around Lake Michigan. I hope the'll be back next year. They are a beautiful reminder of a long gone era.
Comments (6)
Nice photos. As one who knows very little (if anything) about boats that's about all I can say.
Posted by Dr. D. | August 7, 2003 11:27 PM
Posted on August 7, 2003 23:27
I know a little bit more than I wrote here, Doc, but it's fast fading away because I no longer sail. Fred and I took the Power Squadron course that teaches "rules of the road" for the inland waterways, but I'm still a bit fuzzy on who has the right of way when one sail boat is overtaking another. It has to do with what quarter the wind is from. The list of who has right of way is interesting. I'll have to see if I can find it.
Posted by Buffy | August 7, 2003 11:49 PM
Posted on August 7, 2003 23:49
Yeah, they look great. Next vacation I must see if I can spend a week or so as a crewmember on one. That ought to be fun. (Except Natty wouldn't allow it...)
Posted by Mad Bull | August 8, 2003 1:09 AM
Posted on August 8, 2003 01:09
You're after my own heart. There is nothing quite as beautiful as a wooden (even with a steel bottom) sailing ship on the water.
Makes me long for sunrises on the Chesapeake Bay, no one but me and my dog Max, the sails full, the creaking of the mast, the salty air in my face as we rock with the waves. Not that it ever happened, but I'm missing it anyway.
I really need to move back to the coast. Now.
Posted by Texas T-Bone | August 8, 2003 10:02 AM
Posted on August 8, 2003 10:02
Buffy, you actually took a course and had to be on the water??? I thought your bonding with the boat was head over the side *huge smile* I'm sorry I couldn't resist ~ great photo's btw!!!
Posted by Jamie | August 8, 2003 10:29 AM
Posted on August 8, 2003 10:29
MB....why not? I used to worry about Fred sailing in the ocean, but those boats have seasoned, experienced crews. Don't go during hurricane season and you should be just fine. Er...do you hear much about pirates in your neck of the woods??? *G*
T-bone, I love the look of the ships but not the ride. It's Fred you share the dream with. I can understand how you feel, but I'm retiring to dry land, and he may retire to the sea.
Not nice, Jamie! The classes were thirty miles inland in a nice dry high school. It was "book larning." The deck under me stayed level the entire time.
Posted by Buffy | August 8, 2003 11:25 AM
Posted on August 8, 2003 11:25