Monthly Archives: March 2010

There is a certain irony that a sailing ship would have to be taken out of service because its engine did not meet current emission standards, but such was the case with the Lady Washington, the Official Ship of the State of Washington. … Continue reading →

A deficiency of vitamin C from green leafy vegetables caused the dreaded sailor’s sickness scurvy.   A vertical garden installed on the Plastiki, which sailed this week on its 3-month voyage across the Pacific, may provide fresh greens for the six person crew while at … Continue reading →

Maine man creates huge online ship database Thousands of ships over hundreds of years have navigated the rolling waters of Maine’s Penobscot River across the street from Jon Johansen’s home. Inspired by that history, Johansen set about documenting every ship … Continue reading →

It appears that the wreck of the SS Wimmera, an Australian passenger ship sunk by a mine north of New Zealand in 1918 has been located. Aussie ship sunk in 1918 found off NZ

A fascinating post from the Lawyers, Guns and Money blog. Thanks to Andy from the Maritime Texas blog for passing it along.  The bottom line seems to be that piracy is an expensive business and may be progressively less profitable as ship … Continue reading →

Mass surrender of Nazi U-boats documented in new book For 65 years residents of a remote Scottish village have paid heed to the wartime warning that “loose lips sink ships”. The surrender of German submarines in Loch Eriboll in Sutherland … Continue reading →

The Isle of Wight based charity, the Little Brig Sailing Trust, now has the bragging rights of owning a fleet of the world’s smallest tall ships.   (Actually they have only two ships, so perhaps they could also claim the smallest … Continue reading →

l’Hydroptère, a hydrofoil trimaran, is the fastest sailing vessel on the water.   Last November, it sailed at an average speed of  50.17 knots over one nautical mile. l’Hydroptère also holds the speed record of 51.36 knots over 500 meters. … Continue reading →

Last July, we posted a video of the Fisherman’s Friends singing the chantey ‘South Australia.’   The group is made up of ten crab and lobster fishermen and their friends who live within half a nautical mile of each other … Continue reading →

The norovirus has hit the Celebrity Mercury with a vengeance.    The Mercury returned to its home port of Charleston today, a day early, and the next cruise will be delayed by two days for an extensive top-to-bottom cleaning and sanitizing of the ship.  This … Continue reading →

The death of Eustace at the Battle of Sandwich The Oxford Dictionary of National Bi0graphies features an intriguing character from history today – Eustace the Monk,  a Benedictine monk from the 13th century who was also a sea captain, a mercenary and … Continue reading →

Lila-Lou, a yacht design firm, has developed an intriguing concept design, the Ankida, with integrates sails, masts and keel.   Whether their design is feasible and seaworthy remains to be seen, but the animation of their new design is fascinating. ANKIDA Sailing Lila-Lou presents … Continue reading →

A sunken British frigate rumored to be carrying gold to  pay the troops? Sounds a lot like the HMS Hussar which sunk in New York in 1780.  This more recent discovery is the British storeship  Prince, which sank in the Black Sea in a … Continue reading →

Death of a Coast Guard Legend – Lieutenant Herbert M. Collins Crosses the Bar A Coast Guard Legend passed away yesterday. Lieutenant Herbert M. Collins, USCG (RET), the last survivor of the legendary Pea Island Life Saving Station, passed away … Continue reading →

I will admit to being easily amused, but I found this to be very funny.  For those with more money than sense, here is a “couture superyacht” designed by a fashion designer.   I would worry that it might be more fashionable … Continue reading →