R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship New Zealand

#R_Tucker_Thompson_TallShip

Here i am on the North Island of New Zealand and about to head out to the Pacific Ocean on the tall ship R. Tucker Thompson (1985)
It does daily sails during the summer so that money is used during the winter months for youth sail training programs with the intent to shape these young lives through their experiences from their seven days at sea, so a Non-Profit Organization

KeyTip;
 Included in your cost is ferry transfers to Russell from Paihia, Island stopover for relaxing and exploring, morning tea, be part of the crew plus lunch ($110 for adults & $55 US for children)

 

As i board you cannot help notice the Skull and Crossbones Flag  

Originally they appeared on Pirate Ships plus now on containers holding poisonous substances which at both times warned of death or danger

Fun Facts
A) The British Royal Navy; as an act of defiance to one of their own Admirals (who considered submarines "underhanded" and called the crew pirates) would fly the flag upon returning from a successful combat mission
B) US Navy; the USS Kidd is the only American naval ship authorized to fly the Jolly Roger and flies it when entering or leaving a port   
C) Modern Pirates; they do not use it as they try to maintain a low profile plus the element of surprise usually disguising themselves as fishing boats 

The R. Tucker Thompson has had some journeys to Japan and Korea , Tall Ship Festivals to my country of Canada  / USA, plus many voyages to the Pacific
But its maiden voyage was around the world in 1987 through the Panama Canal to meet the flotilla in England for the First Fleet Reenactment

It has eleven single berths, two double cabins plus the galley that can cater to a crew of sixteen with a gas stove and hot water showers

Sailcloth was woven from flax fibre during the period when England, France and Spain were fighting over the control of the worlds waterways

Today cotton has replaced the original material as it produces a better quality canvas
The R. Tucker Thompson has a total sail area of a 179 sq meters (3000 sq feet) plus if needed, carries enough fuel for a 3200 km (2000 mile) range

The wood used for masts has to have a good rot and decay resistance plus for UV degradation
So it came down to the care of the crew with what they did concerning the coatings (Varnish or Paint)

The annual budget for the maintenance plus repairs runs into the thousands of dollars and add into that every five years a professional detailed inspection is required, which may require the mast to be removed for a deep dive into its condition

The Crows Nest was the structure in the upper part of the main mast of the ship that was used as a lookout point
The sailor who had this job was called a Barrelman as in the early days that was what was used, simply a barrel or basket

Fun Facts;
 A)  From the Vikings folklore, the basket used to contain a crow in a cage which was released (hence the name) as then the ships navigator would use it as a guide in bad weather, because the bird instinctively flew towards land

B) Because of its location (as it greatly amplifies the rotational movement of the ship) it often caused severe seasickness, thus been assigned the Crows Nest was considered a punishment 

C) Titanic two crew lookouts where the first to spot the iceberg from their high perch, but too late as their binoculars (to be used that night) were stored in a locker,
 which unfortunately that key was inadvertently taken by an officer reassigned before the maiden voyage

D) Officers Club in St. Johns Newfoundland with that namesake was popular spot for Allied Naval Officers during World War 11
Famous for the hundreds of handwritten messages plus drawings left on the walls ( also the ceilings) by the men who served in the Battle of the Atlantic
and even has a periscope from a captured German U-Boat 

So as we had out on our journey the Capitan in charge asked me to grab the wheel as a few of his students where having some issues with the sails
Having zero nautical experience ( but had three glasses of wine that gave me the courage to get on the ship, long story but i was in a submerged car accident years prior) but said certainly

Thinking it was going to be a just a few minutes, one hour into being Sea Capitan Terry 😄 i yelled at him for what to do
His reply was look for something onshore then aim towards it
So as i turn the creaky ships wheel with the wind blowing on my face you learn to
 Respect The Sea Mates as it is Vast and Unforgiving

In closing i will borrow a quote from Ernest Hemingway;
It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end

Thank You R Tucker Thompson for an experience i will never forget