Time for Our Semiannual Voyage South
My wife Suzanne and I are sailing south again as we do every few years. Also making the trip is a squadron of 11 SoG ships.
On the first day, a triple reef day, the frigate USS Brandywine had her spritsail yard carried away. A dab of crazy glue was able to set it to rights after the fact.
If you want to follow our adventures, Suzanne is posting a blog with sailing videos on our website, http://waldenrigging.com
The blog is "Sailing Gracefully".
Last edited by Dobbs; 11-06-2018 at 18:42.
Wish you both a pleasant journey, Dobbs.
Have a good voyage, Dobbs and Suzanne!
May you both sail with a fair wind and have a pleasant voyage.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Do have a pleasant journey and fair winds.
We have made around 350 miles from our home at this point, and 4 degrees of latitude. It's been gales and calms and little in between. Below is a link to a fun day that Suzanne recorded.
http://waldenrigging.com/sailing-gra...ride/6/11/2018
Thanks for the progress report Dobbs.
I am going to plot your progress, so please keep them comong.
I wish you and Suzanne a good voyage from now on with fair winds.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
We're now 6.5 degrees of latitude farther south than our house, and have put roughly 700 miles under our keel. Only 450 more to Cape Canaveral, the bare minimum, where it's almost always perpetually warm.
Suzanne has added to her ongoing travelogue on our website.
Great news Dobbs.
I will have a look at the Blog tomorrow.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Nice to see you are making steady progress
Good material for a sailing You Tube vblog!
We are stalled out at the moment in Hilton Head, SC. We had a great sail into here, but our engine's transmission gave up the ghost approaching the dock. Suzanne and I pulled it yesterday and sent it to a friend of ours to do a rebuild. Hopefully we'll have it back in a week or so, pop it back in and continue our trip.
Sorry to hear of your mishap Dobbs.
Just hope that you enjoy your sojourn in NC.
I have never been there. The nearest I have got to it is the north of NC.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
With our big plastic boat temporarily out of action, we break out the little plastic ships (AAR to follow). Gamergeek that I am, I made the table in Grace as large as I could for gaming in port or at anchor.
Here, the Baltimore clipper Enterprise encounters HMS Swan as the former tries to slip back up the Chesapeake Bay after an outing.
Sorry about your boat -- I haven't been to Hilton Head in decades, but if you have to be marooned somewhere it seems to me Hilton Head is a pretty good place to do it.Originally Posted by Dobbs
Bill
Good to see that you are both filling in your time usefullywhilst waiting for your repair Dobbs.
I look forward to the AAR.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Caught up with your Blog today.
Looking forward to seeing your transmission re installed.
Best wishes.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
The transmission is on its way back to us! Hopefully, Suzanne and I will be putting it back in next Tuesday or Wednesday. Then, a few days of shakedown, and the voyage continues...maybe for Christmas...
It is good to hear that you will soon be able to continue your voyage, Dobbs.
Yes great news indeed Dobbs. I hope you will both get to where you had hoped to be for Christmas.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
As we wait for the transmission to arrive, Suzanne and I explore the island. Today we visited a park with a pond in the center.This fellow was just off the walking path! He was one of many. I felt like we were in Jurassic Park after the power went out.
Underway again, today we arrived in St Augustine and passed under the guns of the Castillo de San Marcos, a 4 point star fort.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Marcos
I am glad that you have now resumed your voyage. May it be plain sailing from now on.
Great Dobbs.
I was only wondering yesterday if your refurbished engine had reached you before the Christmas shutdown.
San Marcos is just like the one that Julien makes.
Bon voyage for the New Year.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Delayed by a heavy sea fog, we wandered the grounds of San Marcos.
A medley of artillery from the ACW.
A view from the SE bastion.
The NE bastion
A view toward the gatehouse.
Some artillery stop the walls.
Last edited by Bligh; 12-30-2018 at 11:03.
Thanks for the superb pictures Dobbs. As you know I have an avid interest in "the works" for modelling all kinds of fortifications.
I also took the liberty of turning your gatehouse picture up the right way for you.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Nice pictures of this old Spanisch fort.
Interetsing to see it under such foggy conditions - perfect for a landing party.
Great to hear and very nice pictures!
I really enjoy reading your blog and the pics/videos from your trip really give help to paint the picture. Your SoG Baltimore Clipper looks great too!
Thanks, Steve! I think Suzanne is doing an amazing job of boat handling, feeding the crew, and finding time to write about it. My posts here are a pittance compared to her efforts.
Incidentally, here's the link to the whole clipper battle, just in case you missed it:
https://www.sailsofglory.org/showthr...f-the-Choptank
We achieved our minimum objective last week, and arrived in Titusville, Florida, where it's usually shorts weather. Here, we can go day-sailing and even swimming if we want.
Last night, I tried playing my prototype solo rules against Richard's "Powdermonkey". The results were inconclusive. I was really impressed with the playability of "Powdermonkey". Richard has set the bar high to beat. My objective is to develop an AI that is more aware of the wind without bogging down play. There's a snipit of the engagement on Suzanne's blog. The American ship is using my system.
https://waldenrigging.com/sailing-gr...head/10/1/2019
Have fun in Titusville --we know it well -- my youngest son was the Technical Director at the Titusville Playhouse for several years -- watch out for those gators!
Shorts weather eh! Make mine a G&t.
Love the sequence running the games in Sue's Blog.
What is that superb flower?
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
I'm glad you enjoyed my "stop animation". I'm going to have to try and make a better one. I need a tripod!
We have no idea about the flower, it's just a pretty local shrub.
Now, Rob.... repeat after me... Su...zanne (she hates being called Sue).
P.S. drinking a G&T now.
Please convey my apologies to Suzanne Dobbs.
It will not occur again.
Bligh.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
Last Saturday, we introduced some of our fellow sailors at Titusville Municipal Marina to SoG. It was well received. Today, Sunday, Suzanne and I are dragging our sailors off to a gaming session at the local gaming store - the Infinte Mushroom, at 1pm. The gamers have expressed an interest in SoG and are looking forward to seeing it up close and personal.
Last week's initial contestants - USS Albemarle and HMS Amelia.
Suzanne shows the ropes to a new hand (he's actually a professional delivery captain).
Here, he joins the fray with the American privateer brig Lacy Anne.
Things did not go well for the Americans. While the captain of Amelia was also new to the game, he grasped the intricacies of maneuvering and firing very quickly.
When we ran out of time, the American brig and frigate were both wrecks desperately hoping to bring down the last mast of the otherwise mostly intact Englishman.
Good to see you spreading the Gospel among the heathens Dobbs.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
I got to play today, instead of being the moderator like last week. Of course my greatest contribution was at the climax of the battle when I sailed one American ship into the other and we remained fouled for 3 turns while the English beat us into submission....
All in all, SoG was well received at the store, with Suzanne fielding many questions from folks looking on, while I kept the players in line answering rules questions.
The ocean (tabletop) is what it is because I felt it wasn't practical to travel with a big rolled up sheet of blue vinyl on a 31' sailboat. Heck, some folks might scratch their heads knowing that we have 11 Men of War aboard!
We went to the Titusville Playhouse last evening, Bill, and saw "La Cage aux Folles". It was a blast. The players were simply outstanding.
It is good to hear that you and Suzanne are enjoying your time in Titusville and congratulations on recruiting some new players!
Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great trip! Good to see some SoG action.
Sir, I have just read your travel log thus far and can only say that I am in total awe of yourself and your good lady! Taking your SoG with you on your journey was an inspired move which reminds me of the time I took my metal Napoleonic miniatures over to Germany to play with my son who was serving there at the time. Unfortunately (and upon arriving at Hanover airport) I had not accounted for metal security scanners, which meant all manner of security alarms and lights went off as my baggage passed through. Upon unpacking everything, the German airport security staff were most impressed with my little metal chappies and through my broken German we had a good discussion on the Napoleonic wars in Germany!
Needless to say, the memsahib was not amused!
To wives and sweethearts.......may they never meet!
I would not think she was Ken. I know what mine would have said.
No Cocoa for Captain Henry Povey that night.
Rob.
The Business of the commander-in-chief is first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.
My youngest son was Technical Director there for 3 years and did all the theatrical lighting designs for the shows -- he's up at Buck's County Playhouse now in Pennsylvania. Titusville did a pretty good "Rocky Horror Show" around Halloween as I remember.
Glad you had a good time!
Bill
Last edited by Wentworth; 01-21-2019 at 13:58.
When my oldest son was about 6 weeks old my wife and I did a rather long driving tour around the South and West of the U.K. -- I did my homework in advance and knew where all the war game shops were along our various routes -- purchasing figures along the way (I made an especially big buy of Zulus at The Keep in Devizes). I had quite a bit of unpacking and explaining to do with the Security personnel at Heathrow when my luggage lit up the scanners like it was Christmas....Sir, I have just read your travel log thus far and can only say that I am in total awe of yourself and your good lady! Taking your SoG with you on your journey was an inspired move which reminds me of the time I took my metal Napoleonic miniatures over to Germany to play with my son who was serving there at the time. Unfortunately (and upon arriving at Hanover airport) I had not accounted for metal security scanners, which meant all manner of security alarms and lights went off as my baggage passed through. Upon unpacking everything, the German airport security staff were most impressed with my little metal chappies and through my broken German we had a good discussion on the Napoleonic wars in Germany!
Needless to say, the memsahib was not amused!
LOL Pleased to know I'm not the only one then!When my oldest son was about 6 weeks old my wife and I did a rather long driving tour around the South and West of the U.K. -- I did my homework in advance and knew where all the war game shops were along our various routes -- purchasing figures along the way (I made an especially big buy of Zulus at The Keep in Devizes). I had quite a bit of unpacking and explaining to do with the Security personnel at Heathrow when my luggage lit up the scanners like it was Christmas....
To wives and sweethearts.......may they never meet!
Thanks for your kind words, Ken!Sir, I have just read your travel log thus far and can only say that I am in total awe of yourself and your good lady! Taking your SoG with you on your journey was an inspired move which reminds me of the time I took my metal Napoleonic miniatures over to Germany to play with my son who was serving there at the time. Unfortunately (and upon arriving at Hanover airport) I had not accounted for metal security scanners, which meant all manner of security alarms and lights went off as my baggage passed through. Upon unpacking everything, the German airport security staff were most impressed with my little metal chappies and through my broken German we had a good discussion on the Napoleonic wars in Germany!
Needless to say, the memsahib was not amused!
Traveling with a squadron of SoG ships has been fun. Our fellow sailors definitely take easily to nautical gaming. If you're located near water, find a yacht club or marina and show the folks lurking there some pictures or playing pieces and I'll bet you can pick up new players.
I'm sure Napoleon would have been envious of the speed that you got his army into Prussia. However, he wasn't stopped at Customs.
Do you know Dobbs (and Mrs Dobbs), I've never thought of it like that before LOL. The interesting thing is that once the German security people realised I was not a gun or bomb carrier they were knocked out with my figures! More power to you and your good lady and may your travels be happy ones.
Ken
To wives and sweethearts.......may they never meet!
Funny you mention it --on my trip I one of my purchases was a beautifully painted 15mm Napoleonic 10th (Prince of Wales Own) Hussars regiment-- the security personnel at Heathrow had quite a time looking at it and showing it around to their collegues!Do you know Dobbs (and Mrs Dobbs), I've never thought of it like that before LOL. The interesting thing is that once the German security people realised I was not a gun or bomb carrier they were knocked out with my figures! More power to you and your good lady and may your travels be happy ones.
Ken
B.
Being an ex hussar (13th/18th Queen Mary’s Own) myself I can only say....WooHoo !!!
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