Captain Watson

Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic
Lunenburg, NS

Good Evening All,

This morning we took advantage of a light NW'ly breeze and sailed off the anchor in Chester. It was a neat exercise in sail and ship handling and one we don't often have a chance to practice. After we sailed clear of the anchorage we set the rest of the sails and then did a motor-sail pass around Chester Harbour.

In a dying breeze we motored off through the islands and then between Little Tancook and the Aspotagen Peninsula. After shooting through the gap we turned and headed for Peggy's Cove. There were dozens of people on the rocks waving and taking pictures and we went past. We then turned out to sea and again motor-sailed towards Cross Island in the mouth of Lunenburg Bay. By 1400 the wind had filled in enough to sail so we shut down the engines and set more sail. Main top and flying jib were the order of the day. Despite little practice in recent weeks things went ok and the main top was set in little time.

We managed top carry the main sail into the harbour this evening. The crew will have an hour of furling to finish the day. I hope they enjoyed the day and that this will be but small payment for the privilege of sailing Bluenose II.

That's all for tonight,

Phil Watson
Bluenose II