The Quill

The crew, on the rim of the Quill

 

 

 

Kevin's postcard art

Rose's postcard art

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Sint Eustatius

Sint Eustatius has been good to us, providing out student crew with a number of firsts...

First foreign port of call, and the first passports stamps that accompany that. 

First shore time and the cold, sweet, delicious Tings (grapefruit soda, for the uninitiated) that come with that.

First green flash, which occurred last night on a clear, beautiful evening just before the supper bell was rung. It was a fine prelude to Lizzy's fantastic baked ziti supper.

And our first pod of dolphins, which shared our approach to the anchorage here in Gallows Bay. 

The students have had a fine time here on the "Golden Rock," but are anxious to get back to sea and continue this great voyage. They've sent postcards, and are eager to get on a phone or online soon to share their adventures!

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Captain's Post

“Sailing is going slowly in the wrong direction at great expense”

Usually we begin the spring term with several short stops to the BVI.  This year the Education department and I decided to start with a bit longer sail—I suppose it has to do with building a crew out of a diverse group of students.

Our first passage, after the “shakedown” to Buck Is., was to Sint Eustatius, only ninety nautical miles. But this it the Caribbean and that means that this time of year the wind blows steadily from the east—the very direction we needed to go. So, you can drive 90 miles in an afternoon, fly it in a minute, or sail it—could be as little as 10 hours for us in perfect conditions. As it was, though, it took us 5 days of tacking to weather.

What is the point? Everyone learns something from this: to slow down, be patient, appreciate the beauty around them, to do all they can when things aren’t going their way, and to count on others to do their best in turn. That working and waiting for something is ok, even better most of the time.

Students came to the ship with different ideas about what this voyage was for. We will depart “Statia” with a crew who has a good idea what it means to them.

  Fair winds, Captain Flansburg

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Beating to Statia

Sint Eustatius lay only 90 miles from Buck Island, but nearly due east and into the teeth of the trade winds. We sailed over four miles, on average, to make a mile of easting. But five days at sea have turned a group of students, all strangers a week ago, into a crew. We've sailed almost 500 nautical miles already, and all have learned so much... about the boat, about the Caribbean, about each other, and of ourselves.

Today we hiked the Quill, a dormant volcano that dominates the landscape here, and while inside the crater learned about the Caribbean plate and how these islands were formed. Tomorrow, we lay into town to explore the history and culture of Statia and the region, as well as have our first meal ashore.

Lots of great photos are on the way (internet access is so very limited.. and SLOW) but we'll work hard to post some student writing and artwork before we take off, bound south for Dominica.

JP

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And...they are off!  The 2014 Crew of the Harvey Gamage successfully boarded all hands this Saturday, beginning their journey and quickly accumulating the many miles that are to pass under the keel.
The first day of school was full of orientation as the ship's company prepared to set sail for Buck Island, USVI.  Students quickly fell into the watch system; standing bow watch, hourly boat checks, a trick at the helm, working with the Mate to plot their course.  Not your typical first day of school.
As the sun set, the students dropped the anchor for the first time a short distance from their destination.  The following day was spent exploring Buck Island Reef National Monument.  Snorkeling the elkhorn coral barrier reef, hiking to the top of the island and enjoying some games off the beach before Lizzie's barbecue super.
Currently the Gamage crew is underway toward Statia where they will have the opportunity to hike  into the belly of an extinct volcano, snorkel in search of the elusive blue beads and plunge into their academic classes.
From all accounts aboard, this is the start of an astounding four months.  I look forward to hearing all the stories, seeing all the photos and meeting all these fine, young, sailors.
Fair Winds,
Alyson Graham
Education and Program Director

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Meet the Spring Crew of the Harvey Gamage!

Captain Christopher Flansburg -

Raised in the majestic American west, Captain Flansburg started working on boats after running out of money while travelling through Israel in 1988.  From there he continued sailing while also developing his skill as a leader working with youth at risk in south central Utah where he taught wilderness survival and human coping skills. He has traveled and sailed in Europe, the Middle East, and Central America, and finally settled on a career in traditional sail in the late 90's.  When not at sea, he is home working in a circa 1860's farmhouse blacksmithing and tending his chickens. He has been a captain for OCF for more than a decade and we all are lucky to benefit from his experience, sense of humor, and benevolent spirit.

Lizzie Loomis- Cook

Lizzie is so much more than just the cook.  Not only does she provide the crew and students with three hearty meals per day, midrats, and glorious, custom, made-to-order birthday cakes, her galley harbors a sense of community that we come to rely on during the hard times at sea.  When she is not working hard to nourish our bodies, she nourishes our spirits with her radiant smile and angelic singing voice.

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