Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race 2005

Martha’s first race down the Bay from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Norfolk was quite a challenge for her inexperienced crew of eight. With a stiff North wind of 15-20 Knots at the Bay bridge starting line, building 30-35 during the night, it was probably the most difficult point of sail for a double gaff rigged topsail schooner with running back stays.

Although she rode well, the six-foot choppy seas passing under her stern, there was increased possibility of an accidental jib of her long gaffs jibing on their own—a goose wing jibe—a threat to the integrity of the sail. An accidental jibe of the main sail is a threat to the whole rig, which is held in place by the running back stays which must faithfully be released and re-secured in a normal controlled jibe.

A very alert helmsman was required to steer the face of each wave. This was made even more difficult by the ships compass which jammed for some unknown reason. Steering on the dark overcast night which obscured the partial moon could only be accomplished by shinning a flashlight on our little red race burgy which the crew had hoisted near the spreader and proved to be the best indicator to keep the boat headed down wind.

Because of the jibing problem we began the race by making long broad reaches across the bay. This was an easier point of sail and the boat moved well, but we were loosing ground to the boats that went straight down wind. Most of the more modern schooners do not have gaffs and running back stays.

Steering was still difficult on the choppy seas as proven when we changed helmsmen just as a gust hit. The ship began to broach before the helm could be recovered resulting in small pieces of wood falling to the deck and bouncing over the side. Looking up one could see the main topmast sliding down along with an attending array of loose stays, sail halyards, flag halyards and running backs. The main gaff broke against the decending top mast.

The engine was started in an unsuccessful attempt to come into the wind. Finally, the main sail, boom and gaff were wrestled down to the deck beside the gallows frame. This unfortunately took out our port safety rail. The race was continued with the remaining fore sail and jib. Sunrise and early morning hours found Martha trying to point high enough with her battered rig to make Norfolk harbor entrance. Unable, the engine was started but to no avail—a line had reached the prop in the maylai and pulled the prop shaft out of the coupling. So, that’s why she would not come into the wind! The anchor was quickly dropped to avoid the rocks and a distress call went out to our own dear schooner Tugintine—Norfolk Rebel. That’s one way to make the awards ceremony. And then, there is always next year.

By the way, that was us you saw, Martha White, first across the starting line! Not too bad, for a first race green crew!

Written by Captian Bob Kay of the Tall Ship Martha White, Chestertown, MD.

And here's a great article about the Martha White in the Great Chesapeak Bay Schooner Race 2005 written by John Bailey for Mainsheet, the newsletter of the Delaware River Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association. (A 165K PDF File.)