Harold ‘Dynamite’ Payson – Boatbuilder, Writer, Father of “Instant Boats”

Harold ‘Dynamite’ Payson died suddenly of an an aneurysm at his home in Maine on March 23rd. He was 82. His message was simple.  As expressed in his books and on his webpage,” Harold H. Payson … known to associates, friends, and his … Continue reading

Like a Robin in Springtime, Shipping Returns to the Great Lakes

The wonderful thing about the US Great Lakes is that being fresh water, the ships on the lakes don’t rust like they do in the saltier oceans. Of course being fresh water, the lakes do freeze close enough to solid … Continue reading

Shipping Out, the Story of America’s Seafaring Women

For those in New York there is a special program, Women At Sea: Screening, Conversation, Reception, next Wednesday, March 30th, at the Community Church of New York, 40 East 35th Street, New York, NY at 6:00 PM.    The program features a … Continue reading

Update: Bulker Olivia Still Leaking Oil, Threatening Bird Life on Nightingale Island

Last Wednesday the bulk carrier MV Olivia ran aground on Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cuhna archipelago in the South Atlantic.  See our previous post. By Friday, she had broken up in heavy seas with 1,500 tonnes of heavy fuel … Continue reading

Lecture on Modern Piracy at the New Bedford Whaling Museum

A very interesting presentation at the New Bedford Whaling Museum on Tuesday evening for those in the area. Commander Andrew J. Norris, USCG, will examine modern piracy in the next Sailors’ Series lecture on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cook … Continue reading

On this day in History – the Birth of the Dutch East India Company

On March 20th, 1602 the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, the VOC, or in English, the United Dutch East India Company was established as a chartered company.   It would dominate European trade with Asia for almost 200 years. Dutch East India Company … Continue reading