Login
The Perfect Backdrop
Situation at 20:00- All hands enjoyed a quiet night at anchor with only one hour on watch. The lights of Sydney provided a perfect backdrop and thenight passed uneventfully.At 06:30 all hands were piped on deck for a somewhat different early morning activity. Armed with buckets and scrubbers, the Ship’s Company turned to removing rust and scrubbing down the upperdeck. This proved to be a great appetite generator and ChefStony had a full house for breakfast. At morning brief, Engineer Stewy reaped a huge harvest for his scran bag. Those miscreants whose gear he found sculling provided some imaginative entertainment for the rest of us. Today was Brasso day and XO Chooka carefully inspected the different cleaning stations to ensure that there were no ‘holidays’ and all areas were thoroughly cleaned.After morning tea we weighed anchor and sailed out the Heads for another busy day. All afternoon was taken up by sail handlingpractise. The Watch Leaders drilled their watches on all the different sails, making sure that each member could safely andefficiently carry out all the various positions. By the time the drills were complete it was time for supper and Chef Stony welcomed the Youth Crew to the cafe with another terrific meal. After supper,XO Paul provided a detailed briefing to the Youth Crew on what to expect over the next two days. Tomorrow (25 Jan) we celebrate the15th anniversary of YOUNG ENDEAVOUR being presented to Australia by the people of the United Kingdom. Sunday (26 Jan) is Australia day. On both of these occassions the Ship’s Company will play host to a large amount of visitors. Numerous activities alongside and on the harbour will require all the energy of the Youth Crew as they take on the role of ambassadors representing not only YOUNG ENDEAVOUR but all young Australians who have passed through the Ship in the previous 15years. This will be an exciting and challenging weekend that will stand out as a highlight of the voyage.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The Ship set sail on her maiden voyage on the 5th of July 1987, bound for Felixstowe and London.After sea trials and storing, YOUNG ENDEAVOUR sailed from Portsmouthbound for Australia, just like hundreds of other Ships over the past 200 years. On the 1st of November 1987, after 88 days and 13,760 nautical miles the Ship arrived in Fremantle.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Jackstay- A metal rod along the length of the top of a yard. The square sail and other gear are secured to the Jackstay, and it provides a handhold for sailors working on the yard. Clew-Garnett -A tackle or line attached to theclews, or lower corners of the Course, used for hauling the clews up to the yard.Thought of the Day: To venture causes anxiety, but not to venture is to lose one’s self. And to venture in the highest sense ispercisely to become conscious of one’s self. Soren Kierkegaard.Yours, AyeJohn CowanLCDR, RAN
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
You might also be interested in
Ahoy followers of our Young Endeavour journey! Command Day. We made it.
The beautiful weather at our anchor point at Jervis Bay made for a spectacular day under the command of our fellow Youth Crew! A morning stretch and some wise words from the Ship Crew gave Captain Waz and the team a step in the right direction.
With the new watches all set and ready to go, Captain’s Setting and Furling gave all our youthies the chance to prove their abilities on the high seas. Strong performances from all three watches; Sharkies, Chompers and Narwhals!!
Morning brief gave the Sailmaster a chance to give us the daily orders and help get everyone on the same page. With the staff crew getting ready for a holiday and giving us the ship, floral shirts and party music filled the deck and, with some final preparations, the ship was ours.
The Captain was given a small but very significant envelope that contained the essential, non-essential and completely optional tasks to be done over the course of the next 24 hours. 2 tacks were to be made at a minimum before leaving the bay and safety checks were the essential tasks to start our journey. However.
More amusing, optional tasks allowed some of our youthies to become part of the “Beach Assault Team” while others were put to the task of making a slideshow of the voyage, tying all the knots on the list, etc. These were some activities that bided the time for our incredible navigator - Ruscoe to set out a plan and work together with the Sailmaster - Hugh to create a sail plan.
Tacking stations were the focus for our late afternoon, preparing to weigh anchor and leave such a beautiful bay, for our last stretch of this incredible voyage.
Happy Birthday to the Capitan, Warwick, who turned 24 today! The wonderful MasterChef’s created a “cherry ripe” cake out of rice crispies, coconut, chocolate, and love. With a beautiful ceremony to end our day.
Sailing into the night leaves us the ability to see the lights from our destination. Sydney, here we come!
Wish us luck! From Nat and Tom!!
