Sarah Makes Her Public Debut

[Concordia...41]

I couldn't risk jinxing things by announcing it before hand, but all of the hard work these last couple of weeks - including stepping the masts in the rain Friday was so that SARAH could make her public debut at Palm Sunday's Blessing of the Fleet.

SARAH in Full Dress:



And yes, the colors were set in order: Ensign, club burgee, class burgee, signal flags

And no, the signal flags are not in proper order

And yes, someone noticed

[Concordia...41]

Many maritime communities have Blessings of the Fleet, but St. Augustine's is richly set in tradition.

The crowd assembles on the dock:



and on shore:



In attendance is the Royal Family:





(all descendants of the original Minorican settlers)

Father Lozier flanked by members of the Knights of Columbus:



The blessing that is given:

May the peace and blessing of the Almighty God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit descend upon these ships and upon all who shall be in them and remain forever.

[JimJ]

Nice one.

JimJ

[Katherine]

Cool!

[Concordia...41]

The Schooner FREEDOM led the fleet:



(above photos by Maureen Ortagus and posted by The St. Augustine Record)

Now out on SARAH we had Doug Jordan from the Record, who has been promoted to official photographer Most of what follows are his shots.




We lost radio communication about 30 minutes before the start, but it was easy enough to figure out what was going on, and easy enough to figure where SARAH needed to be.

We held position behind FREEDOM right up until the start of the procession when a couple of plastic objects nosed into the line. I allowed them in partially to be gracious and partially because I was getting increasingly frazzled from circling in traffic.

The instructions were to arrive at the staging area at noon, and we'd arrived about 11:30. Turns out the ceremony didn't start until 1pm! That's a lot of circling and holding in a lot of traffic.

I managed it though. And I believe I managed it was grace, aplomb, and style.

[Concordia...41]

I learned a lot though... When Doug sent this picture, and after I got over the horror, it made it perfectly clear that I should have given the helm to someone for a few minutes and walked the boat.



There was also blue tape on my starboard winch coaming And we're in like a thousand pictures.

[Concordia...41]

Lefty wanted to see some pictures of the completed interior:



Unfortunately the interior isn't exactly completed - and the head is specifically lacking in privacy - I figured if someone needed to use it bad enough, they'd be voted "Most Likely to Tape Paper Towels Over the Holes in the Bulkhead."

Alas, there were no takers, so I better get around to getting the panels back in place...

Two of my crew grew bored with the circling and relaxed on the relative comfort of the mizzen deck:



So we began our approach (on what has to be one of the most beautiful spring days on the most beautiful bayfront in the country):



As we got close to the dock, the crowd went wild!

[Concordia...41]

Well, kindof sorta, the pirates on the end of the dock were suitably impressed by the cannon and we received a very smart salute from the Knights of Columbus. That and about a zillion cameras going off were a few things that registered as we swung by.

I don't have any pictures, but we took three shots at the Schooner FREEDOM. Well actually two shots at the FREEDOM and a random shot at a plastic object.

The FREEDOM has like a 6" gun, but the looks on their faces when we swung alongside and fired was pretty good

Here's a few more of Doug's shots:

James on watch on the way back -

[Concordia...41]

Damn - I took the Windex down with me and was going to clean the portlights. I just ran out of time...



I just like this shot



And this (but once again I'm reminded I should have started 15 minutes earlier and had time to clean the glass...)



Yours truly and my friend Cheryl, who was deputized as hostess and who brought a beautiful picnic basket full of appetizers.



All in all an excellent day. Good weather, good friends, good food, a little champagne, and a fine vessel.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Congrats Margo...


Hey guys, isn't she just the cutest thang when she's in full fuss mode?

(I can hardly see the gold darned tape Margo!!!!)

[The Bigfella]

Excellent. Good to see you enjoying her Margo.

[Russ Manheimer]

Delightful! Fair winds.

[kenjamin]

My hometown never looked better! I can't tell you how many times I've seen the Blessing of the Fleet but it is a lot. Back in my day it was mostly shrimp boats but they too flew a lot of flags. Gosh I'm homesick for that bay. My cousin and I could always count on a few spadefish, sheephead or some sailor choices to be caught under the Bridge of Lions (the shade was welcome and the fish fed our families. We were heros!

Sarah's looking fantastic! Great occasion!!!

[FSS172]

Most excellent!!!

[Hwyl]

Somebody (who was not on Sarah) must have taken pictures. We're depending on you.

Why didn't you do this

[banjoman]

That is pretty cool!

Funny thing. When you posted earlier about the debut, something told me to go the St. Augustine's newspaper's website. Saw the article about the blessing and wondered if that was what you meant.

[Mrleft8]

Well, I'll be dipped in dawg doo.......!!!! Nice boat you got there Boss! I suggest frosted plexiglass for the panels in the head bulkhead.....Give it a little more light....

[Tar Devil]

Margo, you are inspiring!

[erster]

Great job!!!!!!! Now on to shots with her bloomers exposed.

[John B]

Well done Margo.
It must have been tempting to show the cannon off. So to speak.

[Concordia...41]

Why didn't you do this

The palm-frond headstay or the huge honking bow sprint (all the better to clear the dock and take out the priest )

[Duncan Gibbs]

The palm-frond headstay or the huge honking bow sprint (all the better to clear the dock and take out the priest )

Now we're talkin! Good stuff Margo!! When does Sarah get her dress?

[Concordia...41]

Well done Margo.
It must have been tempting to show the cannon off. So to speak.

Oh, yeah

I had to confiscate the firing mallet or we'd of really made the front page

Seriously, the FREEDOM started the procession with a cannon shot (and noticing them preparing for same, we were ... ah.... inspired ). I think most folks just thought it was an echo from their gun Well, not the couple on the Catalina with eyes as big as saucers

Then after the ceremony as FREEDOM headed south, we gained on them (yours truly carefully jockeyed into position for a clean shot). Their crew and guests were on the rail smiling and waving. I pointed at the cannon and pantomimed / yelled that we were going to fire.

Up until the moment the cannon went off, I don't think they got it.

Our radio was dead at that point, but I'll reach out to the captain to discuss future engagements.

FWIW, there was someone on shore firing at both of us!

[Paul Pless]

What a wonderful day that must've been. I'm very happy for you.

[John B]

Oh, yeah

I had to confiscate the firing mallet or we'd of really made the front page

Seriously, the FREEDOM started the procession with a cannon shot (and noticing them preparing for same, we were ... ah.... inspired ). I think most folks just thought it was an echo from their gun Well, not the couple on the Catalina with eyes as big as saucers

Then after the ceremony as FREEDOM headed south, we gained on them (yours truly carefully jockeyed into position for a clean shot). Their crew and guests were on the rail smiling and waving. I pointed at the cannon and pantomimed / yelled that we were going to fire.

Up until the moment the cannon went off, I don't think they got it.

Our radio was dead at that point, but I'll reach out to the captain to discuss future engagements.

FWIW, there was someone on shore firing at both of us!

Heh heh heh.

[paladin]

Margo, what size panels fit the spaces in the head compartment....I might find purple or bright red.......but also some white may be available......how thick...how many and what dimensions....

[Concordia...41]

Thanks Chuck - I think I'll pass on the purple and red Plus, I've got the pieces. They just didn't make it back in in time.

Plus having them out gave James a lot more clamping opportunities as he got things back in place.

- M

[htom]

(big happy grin)

[rbgarr]

Sounds like the engine/shaft/deadwood problems are all cleared up!

What a relief that must be.

[brad9798]

HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!



B

[bamamick]

Congratulations, Ms Margo. A wonderful day, and the weather seemed to cooperate?

I have been to fleet blessings in Bayou La Batre before but they were all shrimp boats. Maybe that's what I have been missing? I wonder if they'd bless an old Dragon, me being a Methodist and all?

Mickey Lake

[Thad]

Huzza!!

[davidagage]

Margo, she sure looks great! We can't wait to see her in person.
The airhead looks like it fits pretty good...!

I bet it took every ounce of self control not to hang a piece of canvass off thoses sticks!

[Ron Joslin]

Congratulations Margo, Gerhilt And I wish you all the best and are quite impressed with your progress with Sarah since we saw her. Having your boat and crew blessed like that is the only way to go. Awsome. I am still working on the photos.

[Concordia...41]

WOW! I wake up and we've been given a Sticky

Sincerely, thank you all! Whether you're near or far you've been wonderful friends, great help, and a tremendous support group. I truly could not have done this without you!

- Margo & Sarah

[Claudia]

Sarah looks beautiful. I wish I could have ben there.

[Bob Perkins]

Margo - I think you need your own forum ... Margo/Sarah That way all of the fans that click in every couple of hours wouldn't have to go thread hunting!

[S.V. Airlie]

Congrats Margo.
Sarah is looking mighty fine...

[StevenBauer]

What a fun afternoon. Looking great!

Steven

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

.
Well done, Margo. As you can see, everyone here's proud of you and what you've accomplished.

By the way, the code flags don't have to be in any order other than aesthetic....

Mike

[botebum]

WOW! That's just too cool!
Congrats Margo. Well done!

Doug

[tattooed john]

I love you Margo. Come and live with me in Sydney, Australia. BTW please bring your boat .

[willmarsh3]

These events are always a lot of fun. I'm glad you could make it.

[JimD]

A day to remember

[tattooed john]

I love you too JimD. Even if you cant bring a Concordia to Aus with you.

[R.I.Singer30]

Most excellent

[nedL]

Simply Beautiful Margo!!

[kc8pql]

You've done a wonderful job Margo, something that only a very small, tenacious group of people ever manage to do. Along with the other 17,568 members of the WBF, I offer you my admiration and congratulations.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I agree with the above sentiments... That said, We all know you're a crazy redhead...

YAY a STICKY

[Bill R]

[speechless]