Tag Archives: adventure

Day 2 – continued…

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After lunch we had a lecture from Captain Ross, he explained to us about the design of the Endeavour – basically she was a flat bottomed boat designed for hauling coal around the UK. It was built in Whitby as the Earl of Pembroke and they would sail these ships up the rivers and settle on the bottom at low tide to be unloaded. A number including the Endeavour and the Bounty were purchased by the Royal Navy and fitted out as ships of exploration. During this fit out detailed plans were made which survived until modern day, and these plans were the basis of the design of the replica Endeavour. There are a few bits that are incorrect, for example they now think the mizzen mast was too short however for the main part it’s pretty accurate.

He also explained to us how we sail with the wind, the Endeavour is a lot less flexible than modern ships and can only sail with the wind about 80deg to beam. This explains why there are so many wrecks of the east coast of Australia. Even today it’s a bit hairy at times, and apparently we did good today to sail off the pick (anchor) with a leeward wind.

After those lectures we had some free time so I used the opportunity to update my diary and also uploaded a few photos onto Facebook to share. We have mobile coverage at times including Internet so it’s let me share my journeys with friends online which has been cool.

1600 was arvo tea which was cake and custard – nice. After that we had a bit more free time, then it was basically put up our hammocks at 1705 and then called for dinner. Not used to dinner so early but we had the 1800-2000 watch. Dinner was sausages, mash and veggies with Enlish trifle for desert and then after that we were on watch.

Tonight it was full watch under sail so we took turns on the various positions. Stern watch is as it sounds, looking out back for boats overtaking. Forward watch is the opposite, looking out for stuff in front – boats, lighthouses that would indicate land etc. We also did the safety rounds where we check off all the stuff like heading, weather including wind speed and direction and sea surface. Down below we check the ship out, checking the engine room,  bilge, fridge and freezer. Lots of responsibilities on us!

Unfortunately I missed the moon rise tonight, Sam said it was spectacular from the stern watch although I did get a few photos of it low over the water. Other than that it was a pretty uneventful watch, Deanne called so Adam could say hello and I uploaded a few more pics during the watch.

Right now I’m sitting in the galley typing up the diary or the days events. There are a few shipmates down here trying to read a bit, although really we should be getting some shuteye as we are up early again at 0400. I’ll get to see the sunrise so I’m pretty excited about that. That’ll be all for now, bed beckons.

Day 1 – Townsville

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Day 1 – Townsville

Today I began my sailing adventure – I’m going to be spending the next 7 days living aboard the replica HMB Endeavour as it sails from Townsville to Cairns. This has been the culmination of a long held dream, to sail aboard a replica 18th Century ship. As a child I’d been fascinated by the early explorers who sailed the seas, especially Cook and the Endeavour.

Growing up that interest faded a little, however when the replica HMB Endeavour was launched and the museum started to undertake voyages it rekindled my interest in the early explorers and I was determined to one day take part in a voyage – it sounded like the adventure of a life time. Unfortunately the timing wasn’t always the best – it seemed that each time a new voyage was announced I was either changing job, buying a house or something else came up!

A few years ago now, I saw the Peter Weir film “Master and Commander – The Far Side of the World” starring Russell Crowe and that was when I became really interested in the world of 18th century sailing – I soon found myself reading the works of Patrick O’Brian and others. Once I learnt that the Endeavour would be undertaking a circumnavigation of Australia in 2011-2012 I was determined to be a part of this, and to experience life on an 18th century sailing ship.

The day started early – earlier than I’d expected in fact. I told Deanne and the kids about the lunar eclipse that would be visible this morning, so they rang me at 5 to see it I’d seen it! I didn’t have a view from my room so I went back to bed! Got up early for breakfast at the hotel, the kids texted me to say that they saw the lunar eclipse, I’m glad that they got to see it and enjoyed it.

After checking out from the Ibis I grabbed my gear and walked the short distance to the Reef HQ. I saw a few other people struggling with big bags and so on and figured they must also be on the cruise. Arriving there I found a few people already milling about near the ship and we made the usual introductions and so on. Its an interesting group of people, with different backgrounds and interests but all here for the same reasons.

The professional crew soon greeted us and we went inside to have our formal briefing. We had all been assigned into groups or watches, my watch was the fore watch, and we’re responsible for the foremast and bow spirit. We have two professional sailors looking after us, “Bouncy” (interesting nickname) and Lucy who is from the UK. Very quickly we were on board and stowing our gear, basically each person gets a locker down on the 20th century deck below which has all the mod cons. Each of us received a voyage shirt which we changed into and we were soon underway using the diesel engines to safely get us out of harbour. One of the officers fired the cannon as we left, which was all good fun. We then very quickly got started learning the various things. 

First was ropes and we learn the basics of rope handling etc. We also had a tour of the boat and saw the various decks etc. Today was all under engine power and we continued our trip until we reached the lee side of Magnetic Island. Here we lowered anchor and what a messy dirty job that is. The anchor rope is absolutely covered in tar or tallow, it’s brown and sticky and pretty revolting!

After this came the fun, we were each fitted out with a safety harness and after going through the safety drills we were climbing the shrouds of the main mast. You have several clamps and at all points you are safely secured but it’s still pretty scary climbing the rigging, especially at the futtocks where you are basically climbing back past 90deg! Once you’re up there but the view is absolutely amazing. I’d secured my camera so I got some great shots from up there. Getting back down wasn’t too bad but it was the initial step out, trying to feel down with your foot to the first rope. I’ll have plenty more times to do that, and at sea next time. 

After this we were supposed to have helm training with the captain, but we were called to dinner – you don’t dally the or you miss out. After dinner we got to hang up our hammocks – you double check the knots because the last thing you want is to be the guy who falls out in the middle of the night. It wasn’t too hard actually to get in, and once you are in apparently it’s really hard to fall out which is good to hear!

The view out on deck was absolutely amazing, I missed sunset tonight but I got to see after glow on the horizon and also watched the moon come up over Magnetic Island. I think watching the moon come up over the ocean will be even more amazing.

It’s now 730pm and I’m absolutely stuffed! We have watch at 10pm so I’ll probably get some shut eye first before then. Interesting group of people in our watch, it’s interesting to see that we’re bonding so fast – don’t really get to know the other watches too much yet. Tony is an older bloke, and he’s here as a “supernumerary” which means he gets a proper cabin, doesn’t have to climb aloft or work and only pays twice what the rest of us did for the privilege 🙂 John is a worker in the mines, I met him first when I arrived so got to know him a bit. Sam works at the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) so her trip is paid for by them and she just needs to learn and write up about her trip. Hard life!