Traditional local sloops and schooners
Oriole
Mon 1 Apr 2013 19:26
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Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou,
Grenada.
12:27.51N
61:29.15W
It has been a constant round of
parties and gatherings at hostelries in the runup to the Bequia Easter
Regatta. On Tuesday Chris and I took a
trip on the 45 year old 100 foot Bequia schooner Friendship Rose to
Mustique. Chris was keen to visit Mustique, which I was not, but I was
really keen to sail on one of the old local schooners, so we were both
happy. Friendship Rose used to trade up and down the islands
intially without an engine and then became the Bequia ferry to St Vincent
once she had an engine installed. Mustique was on "lockdown" so apart from
visiting the Cotton House (exclusive hotel) we were only able to stay in the
landing area. When the island is hosting "CELEBS", an awful word
which I can't stand and have no interest in what it means, the island
becomes a no-go area for anyone other than the rich and famous - hence my
reluctance to go!! Anyway Chris enjoyed the experience which is the main
thing, and I steered Friendship Rose for most of the return trip which
was great!
Having caught up with all our friends
who were coming and going from Bequia we sailed out on Good Friday and
in superb conditions (brilliant sunshine with 15-20 knots on the beam) heading
for Chatham Bay. Chatham Bay was quiet with only half a dozen boats in
this enormous and totally undeveloped bay. We were greeted by our old
friend Shark Attack who does BBQ lobster on the beach who updated us with all
the local politics. But we needed a rest from other humans and had a quiet
evening tout seul.
We are now anchored amidst another
group of friends in Tyrrel Bay and tonight we will attend an end of season
pot-luck supper to say farewell to Bryan and Maggie from Skitter Scamp
who fly back to Canada tomorrow.
Yesterday, Easter Sunday, was the
launch day for the newest Carriacou sloop at Windward on the other side of the
island. We had long wanted to witness one of these events which do not
occur too often. This 42 foot version of the traditional wooden sloop has
been two years in the building and we had tailored our cruise to coincide with
the launch date which only becomes "fixed" a few days before the
event.
 Finishing touches.
 Nailing on the skid with staves in
place.
 Ready to roll.
 Nearly there.
 She floats.
We got a lift over to Windward where
we arrived at 0930 as the finishing touches were being put to the keel.
The traditional blood sacrifice had already taken place the day before, but the
religious ceremony was still to happen. The priest in white robe
blessed the new ship and her name Exodus was unveiled. The
local choir sang beautifully for hours, accompanied by guitars and violin while
the launch was organised. The method is unusual, as the ship which starts
the day standing on her keel bow to the sea, is laid on her side
to be slid into the water. It is all highly organised (for the Caribbean).
A wide plank or skid is nailed the the turn of the bilge, rollers and planks for
them to roll on are placed under the boat and the hull is propped with four
staves. These staves are gradually chopped away and the boat slowly tilts
onto her side. With a final lurch she lay on a series of sandbags
which were then slit and emptied to rest the nailed skid directly on the
rollers. To cut a long story short she is then hauled by manpower into the
water using block and tackle attached to an anchor laid out in the bay.
Once she was lying serenely to a mooring there was food and drink for
everyone as by this time a large crowd had gathered. This is a spectacle
we had read about and has been going on for many decades and we felt very
priviledged to see it in the flesh. The owner/builder was very friendly
and welcoming and readily allowed me to go aboard to photograph the beautiful
shipwright work. She was still bare bones inside, so the ribs and planking
of the open interior were a wonderful sight. Considering the risks of the launch
he was also extremly relaxed!
Chris is off diving this morning and
I am catching up with some admin. We have less than two weeks before we
are due back in Trinidad so the season is sadly drawing to a close.
But it's not over yet! Sorry no room for pictures of Friendship
Rose or Mustique
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