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2100, Thursday, June 22, 2023
For Tazzarin, it has been a good day. Can you guess what we did today based on the photos? This morning we managed to step the mast on the boat; it all went more smoothly than I expected. In the space of an hour, we hoisted the spar and then slid it down through the deck until the bottom end came to rest on top of the keel. A little careful handling ensured that we got it positioned where we wanted, connected the stays and shrouds, connected all the wires for antennas, wind instruments, navigation lights and routed halyards and running rigging. We still have to rig the boom, a project for tomorrow.
The only slight mishap with the stepping of the mast was the main halyard ending up caught on the wrong side of the upper spreaders. That meant Bill climbed into the Bosun's chair and Bob used one of the jib halyards and a winch to crank me up the mast to sort things out. Going up the mast always provides a fun view of the boat below! Anyway, I am very pleased with where we are at - the boat is launched, and the mast is in. Lots still to do; but the two biggest tasks are done. I feel a step closer to heading north at the end of next week.
Tonight, Bob and I had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the main harbor at St. John's. We have been closely following the tale of the submersible sub that is sadly now lost alongside the Titanic, adding more souls to this watery gravesite. You may be aware that St. John's Harbour has been the staging area for some of the rescue resources that were being combined to attempt a rescue of the sub, had it and the occupants survived. Here, at the southeast corner of Newfoundland, we are at the closest point of land to the wreck of the Titanic; so, it was a logical staging site. Thinking about this tragedy reminds one that the deep ocean is a very inhospitable place for humankind. It makes me think carefully, as I always do, about planning for any sea voyage, especially in remote areas. Tonight, I will say a brief prayer for all who lost their lives, now and in the past, at the wreck of the Titanic southeast of St. John's.
Tomorrow, back to work on preparing Tazzarin.
Bill
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