Full Steam Ahead or Shanghaid
Let's start with salient point first. I'm now officially a deck hand aboard the Virginia V, Lisabeula moored behind MOHAI on South Lake Union. She's a wooden steamship built in 1922 to work the waterways of Puget sound bringing people and goods to markets. 1922 was also the year Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamen's tomb--a connection that pleases me for obvious reasons.
I've been volunteering at 826 Seattle for several years now but it's time for a change. I was down at MOHAI for the gala opening of the new Still Afloat exhibit on Seattle houseboat life (small. Go see it then stay for the Celluloid Seattle exhibit--terrific. Seattle on film.) when I wandered over to the large white ship docked behind the building. A voice said, 'come aboard!' So I did. And that, is how I was Shanghaid into being a deckhand. No gin mill required despite the tradition.
Yesterday was only her fourth or so voyage for the year as she was hauled out early in 2013 to replace the bow stem. Not an easy job. It was a glorious day. I rode my bike down and put it aboard. Then got the official introduction and guide. I swept decks, met crew, cleaned windows and then donned a life jacket to step out on the rail to work lines and such.
Yeah. A really good day.
One long blast, two short is the sound for landing. "Deck hands ready captain."
Flag, sun with halo, Aurora bridge--third trip out was a fuel stop for 13,000 gallons of diesel.
Whistles and things.
Engine slowed.
The wheelhouse before we set out.
Engine. Yes, it's hot down here.
Cranking shafts. The ship has a screw propeller.
Wheelhouse.
Approaching University Bridge
Small regatta in Portage Bay.
Sorry N, not a Cubs Flag. The Virginia V is the flagship for the Classic Boat Society of Seattle.
Ducks!
Captain Dale calls the ducks.
First Mate Eric guides us back to port.
Seattle skyline.
In the wheelhouse.
My bike and the steam engine.
And yes. I sounded the whistle and thought of Samuel Clemons.
Anon