"Soon" is still the word to describe when Spirit of South Carolina will return to Charleston.

I think that word started appearing in blog entries here back in July. In that context it's meaning has become, well,,, meaningless. I had been given to understand that the mechanical issues keeping her at Thunderbolt were largely resolved. Turns out I was misinformed, or jumped to conclusions. 

Only this past week, our electrician returned to replace an alternator on one of the diesels, and also discovered that the separate battery chargers did not appear to be charging their respective banks of new batteries. I plan to get better clarity on the situation this week and have something worth sharing with you.

 Last week at the Georgetown Boat Show, kindred spirits stopped by on seeing the A-Board advertising Spirits eventual return. It gave em' some hope. 

 Jesse Rothkopf, old volunteer from 2015, now heavily involved in his own wooden boat collection. Sean McQuilken, deckhand volunteer from 2019, forced to adjust time more towards his professional life, but looking for chance to come back aboard. 

Kenny Blyth, Old Salt, Shipwright-builder of the schooner; latest attendance was to deliver a set of five new purple heart belaying pins he had lathed for us.  

Deckhand Volunteer/Ashley Hall Cruise Alumni Dani Feerst, nailed her business plan presentation inspiring the  Board of Directors with a well thought-out proposal for the schooner,, also researched for a replacement website platform. With no funding, we are on our own to develop and manage a new one. She had some success there, and started designing a website framework. But real life requirements to focus more on her professional endeavors forced her to hand it off to me. So I have our website work-in-progress and am chugging along forming out an admittedly plain, but functional website.. The Pizzazz will follow, likely when someone with pizzazz in our volunteer roster wants to step up and get involved.. 

 Any takers? Email me. 

 Last thing; If wooden sailing ships, particularly the traditionally rigged kind is still your itch that needs to be scratched, check out this upcoming event on:

 www.sailpowersteammuseum.org "Stories of and from Captains of the Square Riggers A Zoom call that requires registration on their webpage. Monday, Oct 24, at 1830 EST. 

I plan on being there. I've met two of the speakers. This sounds like a make yourself comfortable with a tot of the good rum you've been saving, open up that small jar of Tall-ships potpourri of old tarred marline cuttings, turpentine and linseed oil, and set it nearby. (You may have to close the door; no one else would understand). Registration for the Event