Billy Bones
04-09-2002, 04:49 PM
Thanks to those who responded to my query about things to see in Miami, FL!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pa19cd73cad1a88fe5e6e75495bd8b16b/fdd133b9.jpg
While there I had a bit of free time and was able to see some of the sights you mentioned. First among them was The Barnacle, the home of Comodore Ralph Munroe. I only recently discovered that my Great Grandfather Bones was a close acquaintance of his to the extent of writing his praises in The Rudder many years ago. Thus the visit took on some added significance for me.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pe3a89be341d15798b2023992811f523b/fdd133ba.jpg
His home on the shore of Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove has been preserved as a Florida State Historic Park. What is remarkable is the degree to which it has been preserved. On each side of what remains of his tract are waterfront condos within inches of the property line, suggesting that the property has rather substantial value. It is the oldest original house in Dade County, having survived many hurricanes between 1891 and the present.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pfe7fe228b3d25f8aa90afe55986339b9/fdd1331d.jpg
When he moved from New York he first built his boat house, in which he lived upstairs until his main house was built. The building that survives is not entirely original, but is a faithful reproduction using much of the old material. He even went so far as to lash the house to concrete dead-men in the ground lest future storms try to uproot it.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pc8045ed79c03e892e33b95028ee2a551/fdd1331a.jpg
Next to his boat house is a faithful reproduction of his famous Egret. Seeing this legendary craft in context really heightened my respect, both for him and for the Egret. His sailing grounds, as visible from his waterfront, form a clear picture into which each piece fits perfectly. The Egret is a marvel of form and function way beyond what her lines drawings indicate. She sheds all the feelings of cheapness and frailty that always seem to creep in to any discussion of the sharpie.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/p9969f7e82ea20b60b9620c1c3e427ce5/fdd133b5.jpg
I recommend a visit to anyone interested in a delightful history lesson in an amazingly tranquil spot amid the fray of Miami .
NEXT stop was the Miami waterfront for the boats of the Vovlo Ocean Race (nee Whitbread) which were in town for a 2 week Easter stop-over, bottom scrub and general tweek.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/p8e6c5e058338c5e7907235a739ce8b30/fdd13298.jpg
The boats were quite impressive, some were hauled out and one, the Volvo team boat, was open for the likes of me to scramble around on.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/p8675c81e0015533f19106617bb06d713/fdd1329a.jpg
While these craft represent a type of sailing that doesn't suit me personally, there can be no denying both that they are marvels of design, and that their crews are made of pretty stern stuff. I was struck by how much these boats bounced around. They were in a well protected harbor and the day was calm, yet I felt that I could barely hold on forward at the bow. No doubt that's a result of the very low wetted surface area and narrow deep fin and bulb. Anyone in the area should pay them a visit. It's free, the pavilion is about 100 yards from Rte 1 (from which you can see them as you drive past) and they'll be there until the 14th of April.
[ 04-09-2002, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: Billy Bones ]
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pa19cd73cad1a88fe5e6e75495bd8b16b/fdd133b9.jpg
While there I had a bit of free time and was able to see some of the sights you mentioned. First among them was The Barnacle, the home of Comodore Ralph Munroe. I only recently discovered that my Great Grandfather Bones was a close acquaintance of his to the extent of writing his praises in The Rudder many years ago. Thus the visit took on some added significance for me.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pe3a89be341d15798b2023992811f523b/fdd133ba.jpg
His home on the shore of Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove has been preserved as a Florida State Historic Park. What is remarkable is the degree to which it has been preserved. On each side of what remains of his tract are waterfront condos within inches of the property line, suggesting that the property has rather substantial value. It is the oldest original house in Dade County, having survived many hurricanes between 1891 and the present.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pfe7fe228b3d25f8aa90afe55986339b9/fdd1331d.jpg
When he moved from New York he first built his boat house, in which he lived upstairs until his main house was built. The building that survives is not entirely original, but is a faithful reproduction using much of the old material. He even went so far as to lash the house to concrete dead-men in the ground lest future storms try to uproot it.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/pc8045ed79c03e892e33b95028ee2a551/fdd1331a.jpg
Next to his boat house is a faithful reproduction of his famous Egret. Seeing this legendary craft in context really heightened my respect, both for him and for the Egret. His sailing grounds, as visible from his waterfront, form a clear picture into which each piece fits perfectly. The Egret is a marvel of form and function way beyond what her lines drawings indicate. She sheds all the feelings of cheapness and frailty that always seem to creep in to any discussion of the sharpie.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/p9969f7e82ea20b60b9620c1c3e427ce5/fdd133b5.jpg
I recommend a visit to anyone interested in a delightful history lesson in an amazingly tranquil spot amid the fray of Miami .
NEXT stop was the Miami waterfront for the boats of the Vovlo Ocean Race (nee Whitbread) which were in town for a 2 week Easter stop-over, bottom scrub and general tweek.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/p8e6c5e058338c5e7907235a739ce8b30/fdd13298.jpg
The boats were quite impressive, some were hauled out and one, the Volvo team boat, was open for the likes of me to scramble around on.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid18/p8675c81e0015533f19106617bb06d713/fdd1329a.jpg
While these craft represent a type of sailing that doesn't suit me personally, there can be no denying both that they are marvels of design, and that their crews are made of pretty stern stuff. I was struck by how much these boats bounced around. They were in a well protected harbor and the day was calm, yet I felt that I could barely hold on forward at the bow. No doubt that's a result of the very low wetted surface area and narrow deep fin and bulb. Anyone in the area should pay them a visit. It's free, the pavilion is about 100 yards from Rte 1 (from which you can see them as you drive past) and they'll be there until the 14th of April.
[ 04-09-2002, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: Billy Bones ]