British Virgin Islands (1983)
SHIP’S LOG - SCALLYWAG
Sunday, Dec. 29 Boarded Scallywag at 1930 hours. Hand picked crew consisted of Captain Paul, 1st Mate Rob, and able seamen (or "seawomen?") - Valerie, Jillian, Marnie and Katherine. Inspected vessel and stowed gear.
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The Crew of the Scallywag Dinner in the Main Cabin
Scallywag is a 40 foot, sloop rigged, Endeavor class sailboat with a furling jib. She has a 13 foot beam and a 5 foot draft and sleeps 6-8 in four double berths. She is equipped with a propane stove, icebox and stereo. The captain and his wife took the after cabin.
Monday, Dec. 30. Boat remained at the dock all day undergoing repairs to the fuel line. All hands were give liberty. Enjoyed a free dinner at the Peg Leg compliments of Tortola Yacht Charters.
Tuesday, Dec. 31. Repairs completed and underway at 0900 hours under sail for a rendezvous with the Blue Waters dive ship. Moored off Salt Island and transferred crew to dive ship for scuba dive down to shipwrecked Royal Mail Steamer, Rhone, leaving Val on board Scallyway with the duty watch.
The R.M.S. Rhone, a 310 foot steamship, sank in a hurricane in 1967 with the loss of 270 lives. She lies in 50 to 80 feet of water off Black Rock Point on Salt Island. Paul, Jill, Rob and Marnie made the first dive to the bow section at a depth of 80 feet. Underwater sightings included a canon, the crow’s next, and various deck fitting along with several barracuda and spotted eagle rays and sting rays. Katherine (after an hour’s instruction) replaced Marnie for the afternoon dive to the mid-section, which lies in 50 feet of water. Sightings included the propeller, the boiler, and much of the ship’s superstructure. The dive included a swim into and through the hull.
Returning to the Scallywag and failing to start the diesel, radioed T.Y.C. for assistance. Roy arrived in a chase boat at 1700 hours but was unable to repair the engine and left for port at 2000 leaving us tied to the Black Rock mooring for the night. Marnie cooked spaghetti all carabonara for our New Year’s Even dinner. All hands asleep by 2200.
Wednesday, January 1. Left the mooring under sail for Virgin Gorda. Winds easterly at 15-20 knots. Approached the Baths under sail but decided against attempting to drop anchor with only sail power due to crowded conditions in the anchorage. Sailed across to Scrub Island, where we anchored at Marina Cay at 1700. Two approach passed required to drop anchor under sail. Anchored in 50 feet of water using 200 feet of rode. Barbecued shishkabobs off the fantail.
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Jill at the Helm Rob Rinsing Down His Sisters
Thursday, January 2. Rob picked up George in the dingy from Beef Island to work on the engine. Set sail at noon for a broad reach to Cooper Island. Dropped anchor at 1500. Landing party ashore for sun and snorkeling on the palm-lined beach. Temperatures in the high 80’s. Back on Board at 1800 for steaks and a nice Bordeaux.
Friday, January 3. Set sail at 0930 for The Baths. Two hour beat against easterly winds to anchorage. Set two anchors due to crowded conditions. Explored the rock formations and snorkeled. Anchors a-weigh at 1500 to sail to Norman Island for an overnight anchorage. Dropped anchor at 1730 in the Bight, a sheltered cove on the western side of the island, in 25 feet of water.
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Rob Rides the Bow Sunbathing at Sea Marnie at Sunset
Saturday, January 4. Motored to Treasure Point where we dropped anchor to explore the caves featured in Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Snorkeling was the best ever with wonderful, underwater sights including thousands of fish and a couple topless swimmers. Engine failed to start again. Radioed T.Y.C. for assistance in entering port that evening. Sailed down the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the West End of Tortola and beat back to Nanny Key encountering a brief squall enroute. Entering the harbor in tow at 1700. Champagne on deck and dinner at Peg Legs to celebrate a successful cruise. Jill and Rob went into Road Town with Roy (our mechanic) to sample the nightlife and local music. Back on board at 0200.
Sunday, January 5. Rob borrowed a wind surfer for a final sail in the channel but wind and high waves proved too much. Packed our sea bags for the long trip home to our Minnesota winter. Tortola Yacht Charter’s management came aboard to offer us a free week’s charter next year to make amends for our week of engine problems - which, in truth, really never interfered with our enjoyment of the cruise. But since they insisted, we could hardly turn them down, could we?
Ship’s company mustered on the quarterdeck for transfer to shore duty. Departed ship at 1130 hours. End of log.