The Great Gloucester Schooner Race aboard the Liberty Clipper practically sold itself with twenty-five confirmations sent on April 9. Initially we were given ten cabins for twenty members. Due to my groveling and begging, Cliff Allen from the Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships gave us two more cabins and the salon (sleeps six). I chose to limit the salon to three. This trip sailed with five new members - Michelle, Debbie, Susan, Phil, and Hank.

We reached twenty-seven by June 9^th with the addition of Carol Fairchild from Texas, but lost a few to Hurricane Irene and some medical emergencies. We were at capacity again by 8:00p.m. Thursday before the sail when Susan Mazur became our newest member. Our club now had the whole boat -- every available cabin. Irene was giving me fits and more gray hair. Patty and I had damage at home and just managed a work-around for it. The worry also was what roads were closed, still, when it was time for our adventurers to make the journey to Boston.

Phil, Hank, Susan, Patty, and I arrived in Boston around 2:30. We parked at the airport (having some difficulty getting there due to a missing bridge). We were whisked to Long Warf by the airport water taxi and left our bags in the Liberty Clipper office before joining Mia and Carol at The Reef, the New England Aquarium’s outdoor restaurant. Twenty-two made it to the Union Oyster House at 6:30 – Julio asking directions all the way. The dinner was good and the conversation noisy. Arriving back at the dock a little after 9:00, we watched the evening cruise – a wedding reception – disembark before we could board.

Vic and Kathy then drove off to get cheap parking and take the train back to the boat. They returned around 11:30 with their own adventure. Sorry – Vic will have to tell that story.

Luggage was waiting for all in their cabins. Did I say all? Mine was missing and both the crew and I did a thorough search of all cabins and found nothing of mine. Finally Jim Hills asked if I had checked the salon. I found it there and was happy again – for a short time. Not all standard and premium cabins are the same. Ladders are needed to access some top bunks and they were in short supply. I offered mine up knowing I could use the sink as a step. Not a good idea: Patty saw the sink move under my weight. So I used the door cross support -- nothing like rock climbing before bed. Rather than climb into her upper berth, Michelle alternated between there and the main deck for the rest of the trip. Sleeping was tough that night as the band on the large party boat next to us played late. The salon was especially difficult because the crew’s hourly checks on the bilge, engine, and generator woke up any light sleepers. Phil swore he heard somebody’s zipper in the head near my cabin.

Saturday morning, some of us were up by 6:30 and met Margie, our cook. She was loud and exuberant – and could cook up a storm. She was joined in the tiny galley by her sister Vickie while then the rest of us hung around on deck and in the salon with breakfast bagels and coffee. The main breakfast was called with a bell mounted on the foremast. I was given the honor of ringing it. Lesson one, don’t pull the clapper, swing it side to side. It came off in my hand and I rang the bell using it as a hammer.

Saturday morning, we met Captain Andrew and First Mate Matt (alternates as Captain on other trips). Some of the other crew were very memorable – “Patches” (Chris) and “Bluto” (Carmine -- picture Popeye’s nemeses and it’s a perfect physical match). The engineer was Bill – and aging surfer: laid back, competent, un-ambitious, tolerant, and mature.

We set sail before breakfast – working up an appetite! With a foremast in the middle and a mainmast aft, it was quite an effort to hoist the sails. The halyards host the gaff, a spar at the top of the sail with peak at the upper clew and throat at the mast. The port side hoists the throat while the starboard side hoists the peak. We were beat after the mainsail, but went on to the foresail. It felt like we had 200 foot masts by the time we were done.

Out across Massachusetts bay we had the wind behind us and ocean swells rolled the boat significantly. Those who felt a little under the weather were dosed with strong gingerbeer, which worked for most. Unfortunately it did not work for all.

We arrived in Gloucester around 3:00 and rafted up to Alabama from Martha’s Vineyard. This ship is one of three from the Black Dog Tall Ship Fleet . We were both tied up to the Coast Guard dock and joined later by Dove II – a Maine or “Pinky” Schooner . Many of us went ashore to check out the town while Michelle and Debbie went to the beach for a swim. The Coast Guard decided to increase security and told us they were closing the gate at 5:00. I proceeded to call everyone on their cell to get them back in time or instruct them to go to the dinghy dock for a ride back on our tender. When I called Bruce I woke him up – he was in his bunk.

We had some musical entertainment that evening with Randy blowing the ship’s conch shell and Vic playing “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes. This is a Sailing Club tradition when Vic’s along. The conch shell isn’t much of an instrument but it makes a great signal horn. That evening we were treated to the “Boat Parade of Lights.” Decorated fishing and pleasure boats paraded around the harbor – there were a Rainbow with a Pot of Gold, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, and Boston Bruins with the Stanley Cup among many others. The finale was a fire works display with a grand finale … or not. Every time we thought it was over, it started again.

Oburgs and Foords played bridge in the salon while others played “Spoons” – after checking for the rules on the internet. “Loose spoon in play!” Tom grabbed a spoon while another dropped on the floor. After a pause, he threw the extra on the table where Mia grabbed it and I just froze. Games called at 10:00 so the salon occupants could get a little sleep.

Observation by Jim, Randy, and I while looking at the Friendship, a National Parks Service square rigger out of Salem, Mass – “The more shrouds, the more manly the boat.”

Sunday, the morning of the big race, Bruce called me with his breakfast order – I think he is still waiting. We had visitors aboard, two teenage girls and Matt’s wife Meghan – a treasure! Up with the sails again – the gaff does not get lighter and Mia took the helm for a parade around the harbor and on to the start line. Our plan was not to cross the starting line early. The turn and restart would have taken all day with the way the Liberty Clipper turned. The wind was decent but we had left Bob Rainey’s peanut M&Ms behind and were afraid to anger the wind gods with Randy’s regular ones. We also were not sure of the proper color for a clipper – we did not want dead calm or a gale.

The race was two laps on a reach – that’s four legs of two and a half miles each. Bruce had the helm for the start of the second lap. We lost ground after that and finished fifth (Five boats in our division). It was a grand sight seeing the schooners passing in the other direction. We met the Sailing Club goal of not getting lapped.

Alabama had moved so we were tied directly to the fixed Coast Guard dock. Captain Andrew used the tender to bring the Dove II alongside. She had lost her engine while coming back from the race. We all left for the awards ceremony, knowing that we would probably have to have the tender bring us back aboard because the tide was going out. By the time we got back, the ship was ten feet lower than the dock. Cindy called the Coast Guard from the dinghy dock for them to come and get her to the boat. Too many confusing instructions from the trip leader, I guess. The only missing members were Michelle and Debbie who had gone into town for a lobster dinner. They called from the dock and “Patches,” on his first tender solo expedition, went to get them. Michelle made it onto the tender ok, but Debbie decided to check out the water temperature. She went in headfirst and disappeared for a couple seconds – very scary for everyone involved. She came back with a soaked camera and phone, no sunglasses and a bruised cheek.

Vic played the bagpipes and caused quite a stir in the local seagull population. They all left Gloucester, which was quite a site with the harbor lights reflecting off their undersides. The bridge game continued while the casino opened and some of us played Left Right Center, a dice game involving the investment of $3 a player. Lights out at 9:50.

Monday morning and the ship’s tender assisted Dove II off our sides and into the Coast Guard dock for further assistance. It had been noted by the knowledgeable members of the Sailing Club and comments were made to Captain Andrew that it seemed everyone kept their fenders dangling from their boats, even underway. We had seen it on sailboats, dories, and power boats. Was this a Boston and Gloucester tradition? He assured us that it was not. While making lunch underway, Margie threw some marinade over the side and commented that we had our fenders out – BIG fenders. It seemed in the confusion of casting off Dove II and leaving the dock the crew (Captain) forgot to bring them in.

The wind was on the nose until we were in sight of Boston’s Harbor Islands. The wind picked up and changed direction and it was a brisk sail for the next two hours. I was given the wheel for the last leg and managed to bring it all the way to the USS Constitution before turning it over to the skipper. He took us back to city hall for a final cannon salute before docking. Twelve club members took advantage of a cheap extra night aboard while the rest of us bid the crew and the Liberty Clipper farewell.

In summary, the accommodations varied and sleeping was tough for some at times but this trip was an adventure that will be talked about for years and become part of Club lore. All the schooners were beautiful and the work it took to make them go was impressive. No winches – just block and tackle and crew strength. There were no tell-tails on the sails to see if they were trimmed right and when the wind was up, it took two of us to turn the wheel. Raising the sails took everything we had and tacking the headsails was fascinating. Communication from the captain or mate at the stern was by hand signals and the crew always looked aft, waiting for orders. It was a wonderful show and I was so glad to be the Trip Leader.

Larry Sherwood

For more pictures of the event, follow these links:

[Larry Sherwood’s pictures]

[Julio Menendez’s videos]

[Randy Cooke’s pictures]

[Phil Apruzzi’s pictures]