2005 Chesapeake Bay Cruise

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Wednesday, July 27 – After spending the morning doing our safety check and assigning duty tasks and rotations, we planned our cruise and meals.  We purchased our provisions and stowed them aboard Scholarship.  Later, in the afternoon, we practiced boat handling and docking under power and became familiar with our vessel under sail.  Because of severe thunderstorms, we returned to Spring Cove Marina in Rock Hall instead of anchoring in Swan Creek. 

Thursday, July 28 – We got underway at 0830 for our first port of call, St. Michaels.  The students plotted the course and ran DR’s during this leg.  We passed through Kent Narrows drawbridge, giving the students the opportunity to use the VHF to communicate with the bridge tender.  Upon arrival we anchored off the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, pumped up the dingy, and enjoyed a delicious Eastern Shore dinner ashore. 

Friday, July 29 – While in St. Michaels the previous evening, the students plotted our course to the Choptank River, through Knapp Narrows (another drawbridge), and chose three potential anchorages.  During the day, the students began taking bearings in order to establish fixes to compare to their DR’s.  Once through Knapp Narrows, we chose to anchor in Dun Cove just a few miles north of the channel.  During the day, we had moderate winds, giving us a pleasant sail. 

Saturday, July 30 - Today we headed for Solomons Island and an overnight stay in Spring Cove Marina.  Once again the students plotted all courses, established their fixes, and compared these to their DR’s.  All were happy to use the showers ashore; then we enjoyed again a great dinner at a local restaurant. 

Sunday, July 31 – During today’s leg, we practiced our MOB under power when the wind died for a few hours.  With the exception of only a few hours of calm winds, today was our best and most exciting sail.  Late afternoon, we arrive in the Little Choptank and anchored up Hudson Creek.  After sunset the sky was ablaze with stars!  This was certainly the best anchorage during our entire cruise. 

Monday, August 1 – Today we returned to the hustle and bustle of the Western Shore as we set sail for Annapolis.  Most of this leg was a motor sail since the winds were light and variable.  As we were approaching Sharpe’s Island Lighthouse, we heard a Mayday call from a vessel afire.  Fortunately, other vessels were on site and rescued all passengers aboard the vessel.  Two practical lessons – one, prevent fires aboard and two, always be prepared to respond to the needs of other sailors.  Upon entering Annapolis, we picked up a mooring in the harbor, showered, and enjoyed our last meal on shore. 

Tuesday, August 2 – This morning, the students were on their own; they had to chart our course to Baltimore Inner Harbor without my direction.  During this leg, they plotted their DR’s and took fixes along the way.  Oh, the pressure!  Once again, we had to motor sail the entire trip due to light and variable winds.  Of course the students brought Scholarship and their captain safely to Inner Harbor and our last night together.  Tomorrow is written test day and our return to Rock Hall. 

Wednesday, August 3 - Once again, we motor sailed because of the lack of wind.  While underway, we reviewed some basic sailing skills such as reefing and heaving to.  All students accomplished their tasks well and passed all tests.  After 230 nm we arrived home, tired, but happy and proud of our accomplishments.

Captain Dave Renoll
Aboard SCHOLARSHIP, IP-32
Rock Hall, MD
August 4, 2005

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