Three US Navy amphibious assault and transport ships; the USS Wasp, the USS San Antonio, and the USS New York; are just offshore of New York harbor as of this morning to provide assistance, if needed, to the states of New York, Connecticut or New Jersey after Hurricane Irene. … Continue reading
Category Archives: Lore of the Sea
There was no actual battle at the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth off Scotland. Nevertheless, on the night of January 31st and the morning of February 1st, 1918, 270 sailors of the Royal Navy lost their lives off the Isle of May … Continue reading
These are strange days in the lobster fisheries. Depending on where you are on the US East Coast, lobster fishing either is in trouble or is booming. Even where thing are going well, there are serious concerns about the future. Earlier this year, the Atlantic … Continue reading
For the third year of a three year program, Parks Canada archaeologists have failed in their attempt at finding the wrecks of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. This year they searched an area west of King William Island, where Sir John Franklin and his expedition became … Continue reading
Hurricane Irene has swept past, not as bad as she could have been, but bad enough, nevertheless. Downgraded to a tropical storm by 9AM this morning, she still caused significant flooding on the East coast, hitting Philadelphia particularly hard. The city, situated between the Delaware … Continue reading
Given the arrival of Hurricane Irene to the East Coast of the US, it seems worthwhile to take a look back at the Hurricane of 1938, also known as the Long Island Express, the Yankee Clipper and the Great New … Continue reading
Hurricane Irene made landfall on around 8 a.m. this morning, near Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Below is a video of a pier at Atlantic Beach, North Carolina collapsing in the storm. Hurricane Watch: Where’s Irene? … Continue reading
With Hurricane Irene slamming into North Carolina and bearing down on New York harbor, this seems quite timely. Here is an article for anyone who may forget how fundamentally the sea effects us all. A new study suggests that “El … Continue reading
Almost exactly a year ago, we posted about the “Top 5 Hurricane Vulnerable & Overdue Cities.” Number 2 on the list was New York City. After Sunday, New York harbor may still be vulnerable but we will no longer be … Continue reading
The Battleship USS New Jersey has survived a lot. Commissioned in 1943, she fought in World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and supported U.S. operations during the Lebanese Civil War in 1983. Despite her success in combat, recent … Continue reading
Sail Training International, in partnership with the Sultanate of Oman, will be providing funding for up to 100 tall ship sail trainees yearly. The focus will be on young people who are who are financially disadvantaged or with a physical disability. … Continue reading
Two articles within two days are making me wonder if re-purposed historic vessels might be becoming trendy in design circles around New York City. Curbed, a New York real estate blog featured the 1907 Yankee Ferry in “Hudson River’s Coolest, Oldest Floating Home” – “Taking … Continue reading
Last January we posted that Captain Owen Honors had been relieved of duty on USS Enterprise after it was revealed that he produced a series of lewd videos when he was XO (Executive Officer) on the nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Today a Navy panel voted … Continue reading
Two years ago we posted about the largely overlooked maritime evacuation of lower Manhattan on 9/11. With the bridges and tunnels shut down, between 350,000 and 500,000 people were evacuated by water in just a few hours. It was the largest maritime evacuation since … Continue reading
I am trying to decide whether this story is more funny or scary. As there were no serious injuries, I am leaning toward funny. Thanks to Dirk Bal for passing it along. Finnish ferry ran aground while the captain was stuck in the … Continue reading
The National Park Service has decided to dismantle the 96-year-old steam lumber schooner, Wapama, a National Historic Landmark. The ship is the last of of some 225 steam schooners that served the lumber trade and other coastal services along the Pacific Coast. … Continue reading
Five years ago, a three month old dolphin’s tale became caught in a blue crab trap off the coast of Florida. The blood supply to her tail was cut off by the trap rope. The dolphin, which was given the … Continue reading
One year ago, Laura Dekker, now 15, set sail on her attempt to sail around the world alone. If she continues at her current pace, she will be the youngest person to ever complete a solo circumnavigation. Perhaps the most interesting … Continue reading
Just over a week ago we posted about a a bright orange jelly or “goo” that floated up on the beaches of Kivalina, a remote Alaskan village of just over 400 residents. At the time scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric … Continue reading
Last July, a Parks Canada expedition discovered the wreck of HMS Investigator, a ship which sank in 1853 after becoming trapped in the ice while searching for Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition in the Canadian Arctic. Exploration of the wreck … Continue reading