Crew Blog

Wow - What a Night!

01 June 2008

I guessed it wouldn’t be long after joining the boat in Jamaica before I would be asked to write a couple of lines for the website. It seems to be the pattern that newcomers are asked to share their early experiences. With this in mind I had already put something together in my head. I have scrapped this and will tell you about last night instead.

Having had probably our best day’s sailing since joining the boat - blasting along over the waves at 12-15 knots in a warm breeze - the three of us due on evening watch were all in good cheer. We were dressed for the occasion with light jackets and shorts. The rest of the crew were all down below ready to settle into an after dinner movie. Whilst scanning the horizon Clare noticed some lightning up ahead. As the sky was darkening Andrew asked for Hannah’s opinion on the worsening weather conditions. Hannah decided we should drop the poled out headsail and the staysail and continue under engine.

Within 20 minutes the sky was prematurely black and the lightning was almost continuous overhead in every direction. Hannah checked on the radar; there was no escape. Every time we tried to evade the worst of the lightning it seemed to follow us. By now the compass seemed to be behaving erratically - a steady wheel would still see the compass needle swing wildly through 40 degrees or so. If we had still been in the Bermuda triangle this would have really spooked me. The flashes of lightning became so strong they hurt the eyes. I have previously been in a storm at sea with my brother who reassured me that a yacht has properties similar to a Faraday’s cage i.e. in the event of a strike the charge will pass around the vessel to earth. Having total confidence in our yacht (and my brother’s knowledge of physics) I was happy to helm through this though I became a little disconcerted when it started to rain so heavily that we were standing in several inches of rain water which couldn’t drain away fast enough. Forked lightning was touching down all around us. Strangely amongst the cold air were swirls of warm air; we postulated this was air heated by the electrical discharge.

Last night was a long watch for us all on deck. Needless to say movie night was cancelled for those below decks - they didn’t need one; a scene straight out of Master and Commander was being played out right in front of them. And today? Well we should be in New York City tonight with a cold beer safe in the knowledge we now have a tale to tell our children’s children.

Paul Murphy.

1. heather bladon, shrophire 02 June 2008

well done glasgow. enjoy NY. best wishes for the next leg. love heather

2. The Masonettes, Wallasey, Wirral 04 June 2008

Hi Paul! We’re glad to read that you’ve well and truly found your sea legs and that you survived the storm! Hope you’re enjoying New York!
We hope you don’t mind but we decided to change our opening hours to 9am to 1pm every day. It’s working really well! The two new dispensers we recruited are fitting in and allowing us to put our feet up and enjoy extra cups of tea and toast. Pip’s pole dancing classes have taken off! Alan came and fitted the pole on the back bench and the customers seem to like watching the classes when they’re waiting for prescriptions. They also like the new off-licence section we’ve opened - particularly those with blue prescriptions!
Better sign off now as it’s time for more tea!! Look after yourself and try not to fall overboard! Well done to Team Glasgow!
The Masonettes

3. sian reynolds, Bristol - & smiling for you guys! 05 June 2008

Well Done & yoru off agaian! Come on the Black Pearl!

4. John Diffenthal, Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK 05 June 2008

Are you sure you want to go to Nova Scotia? It doesn’t look very warm and inviting up there. Your current position is slightly to the north of the pack which could be favourable if you are still planning to go north.

‘Ull ‘n ‘Umber is reporting that they are ahead of you but we know by simple arithmetic that they must be behind you because they didn’t report until 18:14. Stay focused and let’s hope that you get the result you deserve.

Sail safe and fast. Go Glasgow!

5. Caroline Fitzpatrick, Dornoch 06 June 2008

Hi Black Pearl crew. It was great to meet you all in NY last Tuesday and I can now visualise you all on board which makes it all much more real for me. Many thanks for showing me around wee Sue and I am now back in Dornoch with somewhat cooler but much more pleasant weather than humid NY. Well, this race is certainly very nip and tuck - let’s hope your sailing skills get you on the podium ahead of your main rivals. Keep sailing safe and fast. Best wishes. Caroline Fitzpatrick

6. francis murphy, Hoylake 06 June 2008

Paul after that… What Voltage are you now.? Lynn says u can do the electrics in future - the electrician has been cancelled.
Great stuff ye Shipmates..see u in the Pool for the Pier Head Jump Dad

7. vittoria, 09 June 2008

Hi Paul,

Hope your having a wet time, we are, with all the time we have now, just come in from having a bbq in carpark. Becks is on Big Brother but we have got to get her evicted before you get back but she’s doing well, shop is very quite but think it’s maybe because simon is walking around with his police uniform on, Marie is smoking 40 fags a day and drinking blue wkd whilst serving the few customer’s we do have, and Almu is in spain not sure if she is coming back but apart from all that we are fine, dont worry if you are going to be delayed as we are having a fab time and enjoying the peace.xxx

8. laura (marilyn), willaston pharmacy 13 June 2008

hiya paul, how are you all doing? just letting you know that we are all taking great care of the shop and we miss you sooo much! we cant wait to hear about all your adventures lots of love willaston pharmacy!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx viv misses you dearly! xx

Page 1 of 1 pages