Fall 2004 SEAmester East Journal
Sent weekly from sea by students on-board SEAmester ...
Halloween!
Greetings from the Harvey Gamage! This most recent leg of our journey began with a sail down the Chesapeake to Jamestown, VA. Jamestown was the first colony to survive in the Americas in 1607 and I can definitely say, it still feels like 1607. We docked in the Jamestown museum, surrounded by replicas of the colonists’ forts, homes, and ships, as well as the Native American dwellings. The friendly staff was in the perfect frame of mind, all dressed in authentic costumes like they had just walked through a time warp, though we all agreed we don’t recall learning about any blonde Indians. Unfortunately Jamestown was tainted with rain, which was mostly a constant misting for 3 days. This was our first introduction to bugs as well. We knew we were heading south as the size of the insects began to grow. One day of our stay in Jamestown, we took a field trip to VIMS, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. We learned about laboratory work that takes place at the institute and we also had a chance to go seining in the York River. Important fact….if you are not the tallest of students, it is probably best not to wade out into the river in waders, as several of our soaking wet group members could have told you.
The following day we had a chance to explore the museum and listen to what the staff had to say. We received a list of questions to think about and had to get the answers without directly asking them. They were all extremely informative and helpful and they were also interested in hearing about our lives onboard the ship. Mr. Mosely, a member of the crew on some of the previous SEAmesters was kind enough to take us onboard some of the replica 1607 ships and educate us on things such as how the colonists would have fired cannons. At last it was time to depart the past and move onward to the future. We sailed for several hours to the end of the James River to Newport News, VA, where we picked up fuel and spent the night. What an adventure that was! We headed off to the Mariner’s Museum, a very interesting maritime history museum. However the only way to get there was by the public bus through Newport News, parts of which seemed a bit dodgy.
We were once again on our way down the coast to Cumberland Island, Georgia. We had some rough seas and sailed 210 miles in one 24 hour period. It was great. We had dolphins accompanying us almost the whole way and lots of sargassum weed. When we finally made it to Cumberland Island we were taken back by its sheltered beauty. We explored the island and went to the beach to do some geology and biology research, but made a quick stop to climb an amazing tree. We also made a stop at the Dungeness Ruins and saw the beautiful landscape with wild horses surrounding the property. The next day we did the infamous Death March or a super long island hike. Most students did the normal 16 miles, nine students did the double death march or, hiked 28 miles that day. Nick was the first back to the boat, before dinner even, the last arrived home about 2am. It was a very difficult hike, even for those who hiked only the 16 miles. But everyone made it back. Katy and Jessica were certainly troopers. As I made my way down the beach late at night with Tristan, Beth Sean and Chris, in an attempt to beat the incoming tide, while still having 11 miles to go, I noticed flashes ahead. It was Katy and Jess. For miles we kept in visual contact with them via flashlights. I hoped we would meet up with them, but the distance was too great. We began our beach hike around 4:30 and it finally ended a little after ten. Soon after arriving Katy and Jess showed up. Jess had been injured but with Katy’s help they made it back to the boat. We were all shaken up by the events, but it only shows just how determined the students on this boat really are. Congratulations to all those students who attempted and those who completed the infamous march of death.
The morning of the 28th, this past Thursday, we had an early, all hands wake-up to prepare the vessel for departure. Every member of the crew were standing-by anxiously for the Captains orders. “Ready on the anchor windlass?” yelled the captain. And as a properly trained crew should respond back “Ready on the anchor windlass!!” “Haul away!!!!” yelled the captain. After many heaves, grunts and moans the anchor was hauled up and made fast to the catheads on the bow of the vessel. With Jonathan at the helm and the boat forced to hard left rudder, the Harvey Gamage began its next journey. The captain very successfully and skillfully navigated the vessel out of the river and up through another until we reached St. Mary’s, Georgia soon after lunch.
This time we were docked and luckily enough were told that showers were available as well as a number of stores and soda machines. We were all ecstatic. Some were discouraged at first because as we settled into the port and made the fenders fast we realized we were being swarmed by mosquitoes and gnats. They have been a nuisance ever since. But of course this adventure has taught us all to endure what we must in order to run this vessel properly and efficiently. After a quick introduction of the neighboring area by Sean Preuss and some added information from Chris Hamilton our science professor, we had some free time to roam the streets of St. Mary’s. For many the first thing was to get clean and to wash clothes. Unfortunately the laundromat was a rather long hike, which some did take, but lucky for me I stopped in a local ice cream shop for directions only to find that they had a washer and dryer in the back. Later that day however every one had their clothes cleaned as soon as Jerry and Gaila, owners of the nearby Riverview Hotel, allowed us to borrow three of their vehicles.
The following day we had the infamous field day. YES!!! Sounds like football and baseball and tons of fun. That was not the case. Field day is when the boat is turned inside out, emptied of all its contents and cleaned very thoroughly. We finished around 14:30 and were then allowed to take some time for ourselves or attend the classes that would soon be held. That night we had the option of eating on board or ashore. Most chose to eat ashore and after enjoy the little nightlife that St. Mary’s had to offer. St. Mary’s is a cute town. The people are extremely friendly and very willing to assist anyone when assistance is needed. My first day here a woman from the ice cream shop offered to drive me to the store, about a ten minute drive, in order for me to purchase detergent. I had to accept. The food was excellent, the town was peaceful. It is definitely a place to just stroll at night for a few hours of relaxation and enjoy such things as the amazing eclipse that we all had the privilege of viewing through the clear night sky.
Okeefenokee swamp!!! Wow!!! It was such a magnificent place. We left nice and early yesterday morning after having packed ourselves a nice lunch. Upon arrival at the swamp we were all paired up and then headed straight for our canoes. We all climbed into our canoes and headed into the swamp. Whiling attempting to paddle and make way our eyes were scanning the waters and amongst the trees for nothing more than the great American alligator, which some of us had the chance to see. Not even half way through the day two of the canoes decided to have some “fun.” It turned out that Mr. Petrillo and our trusty deckhand Misha decided to bump the canoe of Sean and Chris resulting in two big splashes in the water. Quickly they hauled themselves back into the safety of their canoe and escaped the awaiting jaws of the alligators. On our journey we saw many great animals. We saw egrets, great blue herons, turkey vultures, all sorts of spiders, gators (of course), frogs, ibis and an occasional fish. I recommend this place for anyone who wants a very quiet and peaceful day out. It is a great place.
On the way back we stopped at the Salvation Army and rummaged the place for anything that resembled a piece of clothing that we would need for Halloween costumes. We are all ready for a night full of fun and scares and possible pumpkin carving. Tomorrow, Monday the first of November, we will be off once again. And this time it will be for a much longer period of time. We will hopefully have favorable winds and make it to the Bahamas in good time. If not it may take up to a week to see the beautiful white sandy beaches and tropical forests. We will miss you all very much. I doubt we will able to make any contacts while in the Bahamas, but once we arrive in the Dominican Republic you should be hearing from us. I hope you all are enjoying your time at home, and are preparing the welcome home party and always delicious home cooked meal for us when we arrive home in a few weeks. Until then landlubbers, farewell.
“ Oh the wind is free, an’ we’re bound for sea,
heave away cheerily o!
The lassies are waving to you an’ to me,
as off to the south-‘ard we go,
as off to the south-‘ard we go.
Oh sing me lads cheerily, oh heave me lads,
cheerily, heave away cheerilyl o!
For the gold that we prize an’ for sunnier skies,
away to the south-‘ard we go.”
Adrienne Gillespie, Signe Hilton and Jonathan Alfaro (Dragon)
Log Entry 2
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