Thank you Professor Jeff Northrup

 

 

Treasure Island


Now, after nine years of investigation by an international team of researchers, Treasure Island: The Untold Story takes us back to Treasure Island just as Stevenson did in 1883. Only this time, it’s not doubloons and pieces of eight that are uncovered but rather an incredible tale that up until now has remained buried in the dust of time






 

USS Constitution

Freedom Reigns!


Boston Marathon 2013
Charles Meyer of Hingham, who was at that location filming the event for a Boston company as part of worldwide coverage of the race, remarked about the sharp contrast between the celebratory air before the incident occurred and the feelings of disbelief, fear, confusion, and great concern that rippled through the crowd following the two explosions.
“This was a traumatic incident affecting so many people -- at the local, national, and international level,” Meyer said. “Having been at the very center of it, I have been thinking a lot about what happened and although the situation was very unsettling for everyone involved, I am now embracing it as an opportunity for myself and all caring people the world over to work and pray together harder than ever for greater peace and the uncovering of terrorist activities. Because it was an international incident the whole world’s attention is now focused not only on combating terrorism but on uniting for peace.”

Carol Britton Meyer

Senior Reporter
Hingham Journal

 

Ready for Adventure!

Once again Winter yields to Spring!
The anticipation of Summer,
Makes my heart sing.
Give me just one long day for sailing and I'll be ok.

We all know the weather will dictate
and clear skies may not always be ours but,
 give me one long day for sailing and I'll
be happy for hours!

A Night-Piece 

----The sky is overcast

With a continuous cloud of texture close,

Heavy and wan, all whitened by the Moon,

Which through that veil is indistinctly seen,

A dull, contracted circle, yielding light

So feebly spread, that not a shadow falls.

Spring? What? I see only snow and feel only cold... It has happened before, cool, rainy springless like weather right up to the steaming 80's and 90, black fly infested days of summer... Could be a bummer... We have to be ready for just about anything. Hopefully we will get some good days, I'll keep you posted...

VOYAGER

Some say "you can't get there from here." I say we can if we try! It took two years just to rig Voyager well enough to sail her... When I found her she was in shambles but I could see the beauty and potential within. I could see that maybe I could "get there from here."  My biggest problem was in learning how to rig a gaff rigged boat. I needed help and still do. I need crew like you! Are you interested in learning anymore? We could soon be crossing Boston Harbor as you see being done in the above video! The treasure is out there on Lovell's Island

Sea Fever by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again,

to the lonely sea and the sky

and all I ask is a tall ship

and a star to steer her by

And the wheel's kick and the the wind's song

and the white sails shaking,

And the grey mist in the sea's face

and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the sea's again,

for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call

that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day

with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume,

and the seagulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again,

to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way

where the wind's like a whetted knife

And all I ask is a merry yarn

From a laughing fellow rover,

and quiet sleep and a sweet dream

when ere the long trip's over

Treasure Hunt

     Eighteen miles south of Boston, two miles out from the mainland town of Hingham, Massachusetts, lay a heavy gray mist broken only by flecks of light from the morning sun. The mist, I thought, was providing a shield from any curious onlookers. As I walked along the shoreline, an old oak tree came into sight. With a partially revealed root system, the old tree proved to be the ideal place to bury the pirate treasure. Seagulls splashing just off the small island's shore and the distant, fading hoot of an owl were all that could be heard as I reminded myself that my son, Marc was planning on meeting me for this adventure that I had dreamed up...  

     Having carefully placed the treasure where it couldn't be reached by the rising tide, I stood and turned to leave. The early mourning mist had burned away and there before my eyes on a boat about three hundred feet from shore, was a sailor, his binoculars focused right on me. Arrrgh!  Turning away I found my way back along the shoreline ti'll I was out of the sight of my challenger. No, I couldn't leave yet. I would have to wait and watch to be certain of his intentions. Maybe he hadn't seen me bury the treasure, maybe he did... Finding a place where I could hide and keep an eye on him, I waited for almost an hour before I felt comfortable that he hadn't discovered my purpose. The unfolding drama was welcome entertainment. Knowing that the treasure may be gone by the time Marc and I returned, I found myself apprehensive as to whether there might be other pirates in the vicinity!

Voyager's Bow

     Lest we run aground on our sail to Lovell's Island we best learn of the ship's Forward Watch position and it's responsibilities.

• Cast off from mooring.
• Maintain a 360 degree watch.
• Lower and also bring in the anchor.
• Raise and lower the Main Sail.
• Be ready to throw the life ring and line at the call of "man overboard."
• Safe return to mooring using boat hook.

 I'm throwing in a link on knot tying.

Voyager's Cuddy Cabin

      An adventure is incomplete without plenty of drinking water and good cheer. The Cabin Mate's responsibilities are as follows:

• Be sure the crew has whatever they need: water, sunblock, binoculars, lifejackets, GPS, tools, boat hooks, hats, ropes, charts, bathing suits, towels, etc..
• Open and close portholes as need be.
• Keep in touch with all crew members to be sure everyone is alert.

Boston Harbor

Would you know where to begin looking for buried treasure on Lovell's Island? What about getting there? If you click on the Boston Harbor link above you may learn something, but not enough for real treasure hunting...  It is now time  for learning, and preparation...  First off mate, remember, you are not alone...  I'll be there with you, but before we set sail, in search of the treasure buried on Lovell's Island,  I want to familiarize you with our little ship, Voyager. Below you will find a picture of a "friendship sloop" and its nomenclature (a set of terms describing her various parts).  As the crew, we all benefit from knowing this valuable information. Use it as a reference.  Don't feel you need to know it all before we sail. Your hands-on experience will be your best teacher. Arrrgh!

Boston Light

   Beauty, adventure and danger abound in the waters off the coast of  Massachusetts. If you have been a "land lubber" (a person unfamiliar with the sea or sailing) most of your life as I have, there is a lot to see and learn. When the sun is shining, the sky is clear, the wind is warm and gentle and you feel the confidence of knowing what you are doing, you can experience something close to tranquility. On the other hand, well, you will find out soon enough as I share my "sea stories".

   After approximately two years of low key sailing adventures and mishaps in and around the waters of Hingham, Quincy, Weymouth, and Hull, Massachusetts I began to feel it was time for a change. I wasn't bored but my search for high adventure seemed to be in "Irons" (a nautical term meaning losing forward motion). While crossing the entrance way to  Boston Harbor in an attempt to explore Georges Island, what appeared to be very calm waters turned out to be magnificent tidal swells reaching almost over the sides of the 14' Cape Dory! Coming about, slowly, we made our way humbly and safely back to the safety of the mainland shore... so much for high adventure. 

   While trying to think of things to do closer to home, the story of Treasure Island came to mind.  My boys, I missed their company, maybe they would be interested in a treasure hunt...  I drew up a simulated pirate's chart/map and found an old bottle I could put it in. Then, after identifying some possible treasures I asked them if they were interested. They said, maybe!

The Friendship Sloop

   Ideally, when sailing aboard Voyager, my Friendship Sloop, a crew of four people is helpful. The crew positions are Forward Watch, First Mate, Cabin Person and Captain. Over time, if interested, you can learn all four positions, captain the boat and even bring aboard a guest or two! Once you have acquired  knowledge, experience and confidence, you will even be able to sail a friendship sloop by yourself.
   For me the lessons, experience and confidence factors began eleven years ago in the year 2002 when the youngest of my two sons decided he no longer had time to "hang-out" with me. I had to think of something to do with my time and sailing, which I had always wanted to do, came to mind.
   I found and was able to afford a 14' Cape dory sailboat. I was ecstatic, my dream had come true. It was only a matter of weeks before "Hunky Dory" was launched! For two boating seasons my sons were glad to see that "Dad" had found something to keep him happy and occupied...

Voyager

Sailing a boat has for centuries fascinated people. Like when flying an airplane, a technical understanding of what creates wind, lift, thrust and forward momentum (take off), is required. If you are interested in learning about Friendship Sloops and how to sail aboard one of these traditional, classical boats, follow this blog. I will be helping to prepare you for navigating off the shores of Massachusetts! As you learn, we will be exploring the historical, and mysterious, Boston Harbor and  Islands!