City of Charleston Youth Go to Sea on Spirit of South Carolina

After a cool evening's sleep on deck,
 one student admires the  skyline waking up.

It would be hard to gain any consensus from the participants for the single Highlight of this last weekend's Cruise; there were many; the run out to the ocean under full sail, the swim session off Castle Pinckney,, being smack in the center of the Carolina Yacht Clubs Regatta, sleeping on deck under the stars, Hunter's superb Comfort Food Cooking, or climbing out on the head rig to furl the Jib and Jumbo.  For the 9 teens and 3 chaperones  who came on board for the three-day experience, the thing all would likely agree on, was an unforgettable experience they'll be sharing with family and friends for some time to come.

With help of 2d Mate, Claire,
 participants climb into head rig to practice
 setting, and furling the Jib and Jumbo.

 The cruise was a  realization of an effort begun last Autumn.But  for alternating reasons of weather, crew manning, mechanical,  and other issues the cruise was delayed until this weekend.  Even then, the planned itinerary had to bend against the vagaries of weather and mechanical issues.   On Friday, An Educator from College of Charleston led participants,in a seminar on the African American experience in early Charleston Maritime History, culminating to a field trip to the Fort Sumpter Museum at Liberty Square.Rather than sail to St. Helena Sound,  The Schooner sailed the Harbor, then anchored Friday evening off Castle Pinckney. Saturday was dominated with gusting winds  across the harbor that challenged even the best sailors of the Carolina Yacht Club, and our participants cheered on  as Spirit of South Carolina orchestrated a mullti-class small boat sail racing Regatta all around the Schooner. Meanwhile, participants practiced line handling, coiling and hanging, then climbing into the Head Rig to  prep the Jib and Jumbo for setting the next day.  By end of the day, as the Regatta closed, the Captain called "Swim Call", and participants, all in PFD's, chaperones, and some crew enjoyed a refreshing cooling off over the windward rail.

Chaparones get a chance to show their stuff,
 by teaming up to raise the Jib.

Sunday, participants and crew shook out all reefs from the sails. anchor was raised, One after another, all four sails were set and trimmed  to a beam reach and Spirit of South Carolina bore off down the channel to sea. Participants joined crew in conducting boat checks, tacking the schooner, adjusting sail trim, and even taking the helm. 12 miles offshore, Capt Cleveland tacked Spirit of South Caroline onto a Northwest course to intersect the channel. Still under full press, Spirit of South Carolina made the final stretch home in good time, bearing up, and dousing all sail  off Patriots Point.  While participants gathered belongings and cleared bunks, the crew prepared for docking.  By 1730, Spirit was docked and participants safely put ashore.

Capt Cleveland  and Chief Mate, Charley
coach Paticipant, Kaytlin, at the helm.

For Volunteers it was 3 days of on-the-job training, , not only in all aspects of sail handling, but in engaging  a diverse group of young people, helping them outside their comfort zone, and expanding their perspectives.

For Dan Maurin, it marked a personal milestone, the achieving of 50 hours of Volunteer Service for Spirit of South Carolina. Congratulations and Thanks for all your passion and commitment.

Volunteer Dan Maurin completes the Rough Log
 after Boat Checks, while deckhand, Catie
 watches a participant steering the Ship.