Waterford

Waterford- everything after this is from 2009

Tuesday 29 September 2009
Cleaning and catching up day today. The surprise was that as we were eating lunch I looked up and here was a really big canal boat (about 65') that looked like it was about to hit us while trying to dock in the space just vacated by two 37' boats. As I got there to help with the docking I took a second look at the boat and it was a steel hulled Dutch Sailing Barge, complete with two Dutch men aboard. Check out the pictures when I get them posted. They have been here three weeks with 17 other Dutch Sailing Barges. They came over on a ship and are participating in the commemoration of the 400th year since Henry Hudson discovered the Hudson River. The owner gave us a tour of the boat and answered lots of questions. The boat was built in 1888 and is used for pleasure now. They also do charters in Holland on the canals, IJsselmeer, and Frisian Islands. We now have a new charter destination. Anybody for a Dutch Sailing adventure?
As soon as they tied up they raised the mast. It took about two minutes. The setup was definitely the product of hundreds of years of innovation. The mast is counterbalanced on a swivel and they pulled easily on two ropes and the mast pivoted up into place. The lift ropes were made off on to cleats and they were done. The boom and gaff were raised using windlass.
Inside the boat was set up for living quarters. A circular dining table and a kitchen (not a galley) this was a KITCHEN. Charterer living quarters were dormitory style for 12 (8 singles , 2 doubles) with only curtains across the bunks. They only recommended sailing with 6, after that it becomes crowded.

Wednesday 30 September

Decided to hang out another day in Waterford. There is a big HooHa here. The Motor Canal Boat Day Peckinpaugh is returning today. It is the first self propelled Canal boat that was specifically built to fit the canal locks. It is 259' long and 35' wide. It was built to just fit in to the lock. There is about 10' extra in length and about 3' on either side in the lock. She is one of only five built and is the last surviving vessel of it's kind. It's arrival was accompanied by the high school band, three buses full of school children, all of the local dignitaries, many Park Service representatives, three historic tugboats, the local fire company, and one of the Dutch Sailing Barges. It was a real happening. We did get to tour it along with touring the 1928 tug “Governor Cleveland” which is a riveted steel hull with wooden gunwales, unusual for a boat built at that time. Fresh water is certainly much kinder to boat hulls than Salt water. The Governor Cleveland is still in service in the canal system and works daily pushing barges and moving dredge piping.
A fun day.

Thursday 1 October
A right turn and we are heading south! One lock and we are back in tidal water again. It was nice while it lasted. I really got spoiled not having to think about tides and currents.
Mitch
New pictures posted at:picasaweb.com/mitchb88