On the Topic of Sailmakers Palms and Volunteers of Note,

 Well, you had to be there, in order to enjoy the context around this conversation among volunteers this last Sunday, regarding Sailmakers Palms.. Now don't walk away yet.  We're talking about an essential tool for traditional,, oh heck, even modern day sailors who face the very likely possibility of repairing a sail or awning by hand, or even fabricating something new out of canvas, sunbrella, or even dacron sail cloth. 

So, it started the prior weekend with volunteers, Dan, Danny, Steve, Bryan and Joe hunkered over a long stretch of canvas sail cover learning to mend the large rents, and tears from Tropical Storm Izzy. Part of the job was learning to fit to your hand, and properly use a sailmaker's palm, essential  big sewing thimble for safely pushing the large hazardous canvas needle thru multiple layers of canvas. Naturally spirited discussion ensued over it's usefulness, difficulty in fitting, and in punching and guiding the needle point safely thru the other side without drawing blood.  Also,, what the darned things might cost if one chose to procure one for one's dittybag, as most serious tall ship sailors do.  Admittedly, most present were rookies at canvas repair, but the learning curve was steep, the sail cover was restored to usability, and all parted ways with a little  appreciation for that esoteric art and its tools.  For Old Salt, Joe Gorman,, the project apparently raised in his head something that just wouldn't let go.  You see, he knew there there was more than one kind of sailmaker's palm, depending on the canvas work being done. So, Joe did a little digging and uncovered a couple sources that might interest any of you who are thinking about adding this tool to your own ditty bag. 

Joe has shared a link to a website, that shows you how to create your own Sailmaker's Palm.  Given that these tools retail for anywhere from $30 to over $80 for a generic model shown above, this could be a viable option.  In the Tall Ship World, hand-fashioned anything, is always admired and respected. Plus, as we discovered in our canvas repair project.. A good fitting "Palm" is like a shoe that actually fits.  Makes your work so much easier,, and more safe. Here's the link:https://www.duckworksmagazine.com/08/howto/palm/index.htm

Ken Fonville , First Volunteer to reach over 100 hours aboard Spirit of South Carolina. 

Capt Dan Cleveland passes on to Ken,
 the coveted Foremast Volunteer Award

You haven't seen Ken as often as before these past couple months primarily because he's also actively involved  as an officer in the Local Sea Scouts organization, and in a sailing program for Veterans.

But over the past year, Ken accumulated over 100 hours in volunteer time. in maintenance projects,  stood by at the dock to cast off and take lines day sails, and laid in with the crew as deckhand for Harbor sails. In reaching that milestone, Ken received from Capt Cleveland the Foremast Volunteer Award, a recognition tradition revived from the original Volunteer Program launched in 2002, boasting of over 300 volunteers supporting the schooner. Ken is the first volunteer to receive this award since 2011.  Looking forward to awarding the next one.  

  

Pilot Schooner on 1st Attempt.

That's the title of this excellent painting of a pilot schooner approaching an inbound clipper ship, hove-to in heavy seas waiting to pick up her pilot. The pilot schooner's captain will attempt to maneuver his schooner into the lee side of the clipper and drop a small boat over the side with a rower, and pilot aboard to make their way over to the protected side, enabling the pilot to make his leap out of the small boat, and onto the ladder.  This is a narrative was replicated countless times by Spirit of South Carolina's,, namesake, the pilot schooner Francis Elizableth, in the 25 years she was actively serving the international maritime commerce in and out of Charleston in the late 19th century.