Captain's Log
2 March 2005

At sea under eight sails.

1. Situation at 2100: 2. Overnight the watches were relatively quiet as the Youth Crew wereemployed learning how to conduct rounds and other watch-on-deckduties. Most of them were able to take a trick on the helm andlearned how to steer the ship by the wind. We made ground to theNor’West and sunrise found YOUNG ENDEAVOUR 50 miles offshore halfwaybetween Portland and Robe.3. At morning brief Navigator Ian showed us the progress we had madeovernight and briefed us on the weather we can expect over the next24 hours. Salty Sea Dog Phil continued his antics with a particularlyanimated version of an everyday term that has nautical origins.Engineer Mark reaped a huge harvest for his scran bag from gear hefound sculling in the cabins. Most of the Youth Crew (and some of theStaff Crew) had their gear returned after paying the piper with asong. After morning brief all hands turned to setting the squaresails before being piped to Happy Hour. Due to a large number ofgreen faces, morning tea was changed to afternoon tea and all handstook advantage of the chance to catch up on some missing sleep.4. After lunch, XO Dion gave a lecture on how the square sails areset and clewed up. This was followed by the first round of roperaces. These are a set of practical questions designed to improve theYouth Crew’s knowledge of the ship’s equipment and terminology and isthe only competitive activity between the watches. The aggregatescores are not announced until the last night of the voyage. At 1700a pod of 20 Dolphins took up formation on either bow, providing amagnificant show for 15 minutes.5. Overnight we will continue to shape a course for an anchorage offof Robe, South Australia. The watch-on-deck will continue to developtheir skills, setting and furling the different sails and gainingproficancy in line handling.6. YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The ship is a purpose built Brigantinedesigned for youth development training. A Brigantine has a foremastand a mainmast. Square sails are carried from the foremast and fore-and-aft sails are carried from the mainmast and the stays. YOUNGENDEAVOUR can point as high as 60 degrees off the wind with only thefore-and-aft sails set, and 90 degrees off the wind with the squaresails set.7. YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Standing Rigging- The rigging thatsupports the masts and bowsprit and takes the sailing load. It is setup when the ship is rigged and will retain its integrity for manyyears if properly maintained. Running Rigging – The wire, rope andchains, along with their blocks, shackles and purchases, used forsetting, furling and adjusting the sails.8. Thought of the Day: Imagination is more important than knowledge.Albert Einstein.Yours, AyeJohn CowanCMDR, RAN

Latitude/Longitude:

37° 52' South / 139° 13' East

Conditions:

Wind: South at 10 Kts, Temp:15c, Cloud:3/8.