The Picton Castle Leaves for the South Pacific

The Picton Castle has been back home in Lunenburg for the summer, preparing for her next voyage to the South Pacific.

She should have left port 2 weeks ago, but Captain Moreland decided to delay the departure due to the approaching Hurricane Sandy.

The crew were not allowed to lie around.

There was plenty to learn.

Today, friends, family and the people of Lunenburg went along to watch this old very special sailing ship leave. Everyone was busy on deck,

getting the jobs done.

And above decks,

putting all their training into action.

I’m sure this is easier done from the safety of the harbour, rather than at sea.

Everyone gathered to wish the crew a ‘Safe Journey.’

I only found out at the harbourside that Captain Moreland’s and Tammy Sharp’s baby son, Dawson, would be travelling on this trip.

It looks like they might be bringing their son up in the Cook Islands, at least for the next three years.

The sails were unfurled.

The safety boat was moved away for the departure.

Horns hooted, people cheered and applauded as the Picton Castle moved off.

Some had a last look at Lunenburg. The next stop will be Grenada, then through the Panama Canal to the Galapagos Islands, Pitcairn Island, French Polynesia, and then to the Cook Islands.

She is off now on another wonderful adventure. The people of Lunenburg will miss her and all of the lively, friendly, crew.

Tiare Taporo, Lunenburg

In July of this year, I was walking along the path at the Foundry in Lunenburg, when I noticed this ship. The first day, it did not have the masts, but later in the week it looked like this. I wondered who would be converting a fishing boat to a sailing ship. The name on the side was Tiare Taporo, Avatiu. Avatiu is in the Cook Islands.

I went home to do some research.

The original Tiare Tapore was one of the very last ships to trade under sail in the Cook Islands and the South Pacific. You can read about her here.

http://pacificschooners.com/index.php/the-original-qtiare-taporoq.html

Pacific Schooners Limited, through the travels of the Picton Castle, became aware of the need for a passenger, cargo vessel, to go between the Cook Islands and the South Pacific. Having a vessel that could use wind power, would help save money on diesel.

So, where did this new Tiare Taporo come from?

Two fishing boats have been sitting in Lunenburg Harbour for some time. You will see them in the centre of this foggy photo I took. They are the green, black and mustard scallop draggers, the Zebroid and Primo, that belonged to Clearwater.

It was decide to convert the Zebroid into a new sailing, cargo vessel.

I found this excellent photo on Flickr, taken by Dennis Jarvis.

 

The Zebroid was taken to the dry dock, for work to begin on her hull. I did see her there, but didn’t realise that she was the ship I later saw at the Foundry. She looks much bigger out of the water.

 

Her sister ship, the Primo, still sits in her green paint.

I have read on the Tiare Taporo site, that the plan is for the ship to

• carry 200 to 300 tons of break-bulk cargo including; frozen fish, fuel transport, freight, orders, govt supplies and trade goods.
•  carry doctors and dentists as often as possible to provide specialist care for outer islanders.
• take up to 30 passengers, 8 professional crew and 6 apprentices in comfortable cabins and bunks.
• provide  a dependable regularly scheduled service to the islands.

The new, white, Tiare Taporo sits in the main harbour just now, alongside the Picton Castle, which is just about to head off on its next voyage to the South Pacific.

I have just looked at the last photos I took, before the Picton Castle went off for the summer and see that the Tiare Taporo was in the background.

I wonder when she will head off for her new life?

The Picton Castle Leaves Lunenburg

The Picton Castle returned to Lunenburg last June after her 5th World voyage.

We have enjoyed seeing her in Lunenburg all winter, but knew that she’d leave soon on another trip.

Her new crew arrived and last week was a busy week, preparing the ship and taking on supplies.

The green boxes being carried on were not crisps or potato chips, but apples, with a Trout label, from Chelan Lake!

The ship was due to leave Lunenburg Harbour at 2pm, on Monday.

But the fog had come in overnight and you could hardly see across the bay to the golf course.

The crew were swabbing the deck, the bananas were sleeping, and the laundry was hung out to dry.

T shirts were handed out to the crew and the decision made to wait until Tuesday morning to sail.

It was still foggy yesterday, but I spotted the Picton Castle as she motored out of the bay, heading for Bermuda. I hope she managed to find enough wind to raise her sails. Today is a beautiful day.

I’m sure they’ll all have a wonderful trip.

Foggy Walk around Lunenburg

The Fog

The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking over
harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

Carl sandburg

We had a quiet foggy walk around Lunenburg yesterday.

The Picton Castle sat swathed in a white cloak.

and the Caledonia peered out to sea.

The scallop boats dreamt about their next trip.

Whilst the lobster boats dosed at the side of the wharf.

But this  little boat was going nowhere,  hiding in its smoke-screen.