NMHSTRAVEL
Pack Your Seabag and Come Along! _ _ _ _ __ Some of our Society's most important and interesting discussions have been held in the library of the llliria off Cape Horn, on the shadowy afterdeck of the bark Sea Cloud moored under the temple to Poseidon on Cape Sounion outside Athens under a rising moon, and in the ornate public rooms of the paddlewheeler Delta Queen as she whistles and splashes her way through the heartland of America, borne up on the swirling waters of the Mississippi. This year the Sea Cloud, the most beautiful big yacht ever built, sails from Antigua on an II-day tour of the Windward Islands, where the steady Trade Wind blows and the great four-master builds up a bow wave that roars like an express train as she drops one island astern and picks up the next one, in waters where Rodney and de Grasse banged it out in two- and three-deckers years ago and where leaping dolphins by day and enchanting steel bands by night provide the noise and action today. Sea Cloud sails from Antigua January 3, returning January 14 with everyone knowing quite a bit more about square rig than when they set out, and with memories to last a lifetime. Captains Cassidy and Shannon, past skippers of USCG Eagle and staunch members of NMHS, sail the ship and join in our evening seminars. Or, venture farther south, past Cape Hom to Antarctica: Join the handsome motor ship llliria on her voyage in these waters February 29-March 15. This includes a stopover in the Falkland Islands, where the redoutable John Smith, longtime NMHS member, holds sway as curator of the Falkland Islands Museum, and as guardian of the hi storic hulks in the harbor at Port Stanley, from the comely steel bark Princess Elizabeth to the 150-year-old Liverpool trader Jhelum . I made this trip with Ralph and Dorothy PackerofMartha's Vineyard in 1988 with Harry Nelson and other NMHS stalwarts in company. To say it was a trip to remember is vastly to understate the stark and terrible beauty of the landscapes, the fascination of the wrecks and the good cheer of the pubs in Stanley. On April 14, NMHS members will board llliria in the old seaport town of Lisbon, where the opening of the ocean world is generally reckoned to have beSEA HISTORY 59, AUTUMN 1991
Covering all ports U.S. East Coast U.S. Gulf Coast Aruba
BILL BLACK AGENCY GROUP INC. Ralph Packer in view of the Jhelum in the Falkland Islands. Photo, Dorothy Packer.
gun. A visit to the town, quite different in atmosphere from the proud cities of nearby Spain, both reflects and helps one understand this history. From Lisbon, through a fascinating Mediterranean route taking in historic Spanish, French and Italian ports, the llliria arrives at Venice on April 27. "Once she held the gorgeous East in fee," Wordsworth wrote of her-and shorn of her conquests she still conquers her visitors today. Norma Stanford and I will be on this passagehow could we stay away?
Great Steamboat Race Finally, that Grand Dame of the Mississippi, the Delta Queen, will steam out of New Orleans with calliope playing and riverside watchers cheering on June 23, to race her larger (and much newer) cousin the Mississippi Queen to a finish line one thousand miles upriver in St. Louis on July 4, in an epic event known as the Great Steamboat Race. I embarked for this race last year with my son Joseph, little knowing of the riverboat gamblers, shady ladies and wild shenanigans I was letting the lad in for. We enjoyed the fun and frolic, gained a new appreciation for Dixieland and Ragtime, and learnt much river lore en route. I commend this slow travel through the countryside to you: you can always sit out the fun and games (passengers participate in many of the race activities) and just watch theeverchanging river scene unfold. Let us know what crui ses you'd like to know more about: Sea Cloud-Antigua, January 3-14, 1992 llliria-Antarctica, Feb. 29-March 15 llliria-Lisbon to Venice, April 14-27 Delta Queen-New Orleans to St. Louis, June 23-July 4 We'll be glad to send colored brochures and full information on any of these cruises, call us at 914 737-7878. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.-PS
Sales/Inquiries: BBA Group Inc. 205 Worcester Court Falmouth, MA 02540 phone 508 540 6899 telex 413701 fax 508 540 4956
... yours to count on
PARTICIPATION SAILING ADVENTURES ona
WORKING SCHOONER
Live the tradition.
1911
Sylvina W. Beal Group Charters 2 Day - 3 Day - 5 Day Sails Ask about our September "Mystic to Maine" trip.
1-800-333-MYSTIC Box 265, W. Mystic, CT 06388
Rocky Mountain Shipyard •Books & Plllllll for the Historic Ship Modeler
•Naval & Maritime History •I 0 % Discount •Free Shipping over $30 Catalog $2 (Refundable with first order) 590 Ronlin Street Grand Junction, CO 815(»
Figure Heads
QJanerbcerds Ship Carving Signs · Eagles
Folk Art
37