Sunday morning, after taking on 11 students, the day before, the Maine Schooner, Harvey Gamage cast off her lines and sailed out into the harbor. She spent the rest of the day crisscrossing the harbor under sail, no doubt exercising her new student crew in sail handling, emergency drills, and ship-board life. As of this writing, she remains in the harbor at anchor, waiting the passing of the heavy weather front passing over Charleston, before striking out the the south, bound for ports unknown, a 10-week passage with a full curriculum of studies, and adventures to complete before she must return home to Portland Maine.
During her 3-weeks at dock, the Gamager's volunteered entire days of their free time to assist our volunteers in some of the more intensive maintenance projects.. They could be seen aloft both masts.. John, their Engineer explored the dark spaces below decks, troubleshooting and solving a number of plumbing and electrical issues. Of course at least one or two joined in the ever-present varnish project.
From their head office, Sailing Ship's Maine Director, Alex Agnew invited Spirit of South Carolina to participate in joint publicity tours by Ashley Hall Students and Big Brother/Big Sisters of Charleston, with intent to foster interest in organizing cruising programs next year.
Their visit was a productive one,, for both vessels, and there's hope the effort may grow into an even more productive alliance that will sustain both vessels.
Bon Voyage, Harvey Gamage
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