75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Race — the Maxis and the Unfortunate Shark

The five 100′ long maxi yachts dominated the 75th sailing of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, each finishing the 630 nautical mile race within the same two-hour window. Commanche took line honors finishing the race in 1 day, 18 … Continue reading

Hoisting the Christmas Tree to the Masthead on the Joseph Conrad at Mystic Seaport

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate the holiday. Here is a short video of the rigging crew of Matt Otto, Nick Canzellarini and Alex Peacock at Mystic Seaport Museum installing one of the many mast-top Christmas trees atop the … Continue reading

Wreckage of 16th Century Ship Samson Uncovered in Stockholm City Center

Like so many coastal cities, Stockholm has grown larger and its harbor smaller over time as landfill and buildings have replaced waterways and docks. The Local reports that over the past year, work has been going on in the Kungsträdgården … Continue reading

The Sailing Ship Amongst the Battle Cruisers, Battle of the Falklands 1914

We recently posted about the 105th anniversary of the Battle of the Falklands and the discovery of the wreckage of the German armored cruiser, SMS Scharnhorst, which was sunk in the battle. In researching these posts there was one bit of historical … Continue reading

Royal Navy and US Navy Aircraft Carriers — Integration or Outright Lease?

USNI News recently quoted Adm. Tony Radakin, the First Sea Lord and U.K. Chief of Naval Staff suggesting that the U.K. Royal Navy intends the HMS Queen Elizabeth its largest, most advanced warship ever built, to be considered interchangeable with … Continue reading

Cruise Ship Bumper Cars — Carnival Glory Hits the Carnival Legend, Just Misses Oasis of the Seas

This morning while maneuvering to come into the dock at Cozumel, Mexico, the cruise ship Carnival Glory, collided with the docked cruise ship, Carnival Legend, and narrowly averted hitting the Royal Caribbean Lines Oasis of the Seas, which was also … Continue reading

First AC 75 to Capsize — “a Little Whoopsie” on Emirates Team NZ Te Aihe

The new America’s Cup AC75 monohulls flying across the water on foils look like other-worldly beasts to a traditionalist’s eye. How does one sail those things? Very carefully, apparently. The other day, Emirates Team New Zealand was testing their boat, … Continue reading

Kicked Out For Being Gay, US Navy Names New Ship USNS Harvey Milk

At NASSCO in San Diego, they have begun cutting steel for a new Navy oiler, T-AO-206, to be named the USNS Harvey Milk. When completed it will be the second of the John Lewis class of underway replenishment oilers, operated … Continue reading

Déjà Vu — Concerns over the Cost of Competing for the America’s Cup

International yacht racing is incredibly expensive. That is unquestionably true of the America’s Cup races.  Recently, the Financial Times spoke to British sailing champion Ben Ainslie about his concerns that the race is too expensive to remain viable. The cost … Continue reading

Restoring HMS Surprise, Ex HMS Rose, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego

Many years ago, I had the good fortune to sail with a volunteer crew of Patrick O’Brian aficionados from New York to Bermuda on the replica frigate HMS Rose. Despite being rather short on wind, it was a memorable voyage. … Continue reading

The Mystery of The Battle of the Falklands, 12/8/1914

Last week, marine archeologists announced finding the wreckage of the German battlecruiser SMS Scharnhorst, off the Falkland Islands. The Scharnhorst, along with most of the German East Asia Squadron, was sunk by the Royal Navy 105 years ago on this day, … Continue reading

Wreck of German WWI Cruiser Scharnhorst Discovered Off Falklands

The wreck of the World War One German armored cruiser, SMS Scharnhorst, has been located off the Falkland Islands. Scharnhorst, the flagship of German Vice-Admiral Maximilian Graf von Spee’s East Asia Squadron, was sunk by the Royal Navy 105 years … Continue reading

Newman’s Own Foundation Gives $225,000 Grant to Discovering Amistad

Newman’s Own Foundation has awarded a $225,000 sustainability grant to the non-profit Discovering Amistad, the group which operates the replica schooner Amistad.   Discovering Amistad operates the replica of the historic schooner Amistad,  a 129-foot 19th century Baltimore clipper which was … Continue reading