New Identity for Arctic Explorer Emerges 140 Years Later

New facial reconstruction technology applied to the skull of one of the members of the ill-fated Franklin expedition may rewrite accepted history. The skeleton long believed to be that of Henry Le Vesconte, a lieutenant aboard HMS Erebus, is now believed to be that of  Harry … Continue reading

Ferry Condor Vitesse Collides with Fishing Boat, Fisherman Killed

The 86m fast catamaran ferry, Condor Vitesse, collided with a fishing vessel this morning, seriously injuring a French fisherman. UPDATE: The fisherman injured in the crash subsequently died. French fisherman seriously injured in ferry crash The Condor Vitesse, travelling between St Malo in … Continue reading

The Fourth Leg of the Velux Five Oceans Singlehanded Round the World Race Underway

The fourth leg of the Velux Five Oceans Singlehanded Round the World Race is underway as the four competitors set off from Punta del Este, Uruguay bound for Charleston, South Carolina.  The racers are currently sailing at north at around ten knots … Continue reading

Happy Birthday Nathaniel Bowditch, America’s Practical Navigator

Every US naval ship and most American merchant ships carry aboard a copy of the American Practical Navigator, which most refer to simply as Bowditch, after Nathaniel Bowditch, the author of the first edition in 1802.   On March 26,  1773,  Nathaniel Bowditch, the fifth of seven children, … Continue reading

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