Scenes Aboard Ship

The front three triangular sails are shown in this picture. I think they might be called jibs, but Joe would know for sure. There were a couple of sets of them on Royal clipper. At sail-away time, they would be hoisted first, and then the squares would be let down later. Sail-away, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, is a majestic time, and very moving. This picture was taken just before the order was given to hoist these sails.

Moments later, the sails are unfurled, the sun is setting, the music playing, and all of the passenters are entranced.

Several flags fly on Royal Clipper. In the back (the stern?) is the flag of Luxembourg, where the ship is registered. In the bow is the Star Clippers flag, a blue triangle with three large white stars (one for each ship in the fleet). Interestingly, when the ship is in a port, as a courtesy, the flag of that country is flown. Shown here is the flag on the day we spent at St. Kitts.

Take a look at this sewing machine! This is the ship's sailmaker and he was busy on the deck each morning, repairing sails. I was fascinated -- the machine is huge and has the same basic threading as my Bernina. The captain told me that if I asked, the sailmaker would let me take a turn at the machine, but I didn't ask. You know, you have to save something for the next trip.

One thing I wondered about was how quickly the machine's bobbin ran out of thread. I never found out because I just couldn't bring myself to say to this man, "Would you show me your bobbin?" :-)