Texas Clipper II Tracking



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updated 8-29-02

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TEXAS CLIPPER II Daily Reports from the Skipper himself
(The Clipper left Galveston on May 31 for the Summer Cruise and returned August 3rd).

August 3, 2002
Saturday

The Clipper Arrives Home Safely from Port Arthur Texas ending their 2 Month Voyage visiting Philadelphia, Stavanger Norway, Aalborg Sweden, Port Everglades Florida, and Port Arthur, Texas.

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July 30, 2002
Tuesday
Noon Position:

Latitude: 24.38N
Longitude: 83.49W
Course: 292
Speed:
11knots
a report from captain sam stephenson
"Conducted the fire and boat drill today. This being the end of cruise, we held the drills a little differently. When the signals were sounded and the cadets reported to their stations, instead of an officer all they found was a radio. They were in charge (up to a point). They were a little shy at first but soon their training kicked in and took control. There was a little bit of chaos but that was to be expected (and maybe a little planned on). All in all the cadets handle it well. "

"Tonight is Senior Dinner. This is where all the senior cadets and crew dress up and eat a steak dinner together. It signifies that after this cruise, the next time on a ship they will be a mate or engineer with all the responsibility that goes with the job. We wish them well."
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July 29, 2002


Monday
Noon Position:

Latitude: 25.42N
Longitude: 81.01W
Course: 179
Speed:
8 knots
a report from captain sam stephenson 1
"The cadets seem to have had a great time in Fort Lauderdale. Due to the heightened security measures at this port we rented a van for ship's business and to run folks out to the gate and into the town. This worked out really well and the cadets handled it very maturely. "
"The main attraction besides the beach was --you guess it-- the Mall. After being away awhile, everyone seemed a little hungry for new American movies and French fries not covered with mayonnaise (eewww - it's an Europe thing).

"Today we got ready to get underway. The Pilot came on at 0800 and we waited for a few minutes to let some passenger ships sneak in to admire The Clipper as she put to sea. After we cleared Port Everglades channel, we turn to the South to follow along the Florida coastline. Although we have a few senior cadets who have to finish up a star day or so, we will now put the sophomores in the hot seat as they demonstrate their skills in terrestrial navigation."
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July 25, 2002


Thursday
Noon Position:

Latitude: 26.05.12N
Longitude: 80.07W
Course:
Speed:

a report from captain sam stephenson 2
"Today, cadets finished exams prior to Port Everglades. This afternoon, a 30 pound wahoo was caught on the stern. Currently, we are 3 miles off Port Everglades. We will pick up the pilot at 1840, and should be berthed by 1930. "
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July 24, 2002


Wednesday
Noon Position:

Latitude: 26.24N
Longitude: 75.04W
Course: 251
Speed:
11.2 knots
a report from captain sam stephenson 4
"Today at 1300 command inspection, all cadets looked squared away. Haircuts were given last night and all beards shaven after the beard growing contest. Many cadets last night were creative with their beards before they were shaven today for the inspection."

"Cadets have been very busy studying for their exams and shooting stars. A good percentage of cadets are finished with their star days and blinker light. Other cadets will be shooting stars until the day before Port Arthur.

"Cadets have been rolling the exterior decks of the ship all day. Inside, cadets are stripping and waxing the decks. In the morning, the ship will be dressed with flags for our arrival into Port Everglades."

"Tonight at 2300, we will start our transit of Hole in the Wall through the Bahaman Islands. Many cadets are excited about the transit through the Hole in the Wall. We have been rolling due to a swell form our port side for the last two days. Once we enter the Hole in the Wall, the rolling will subside. It will be a nice change not having the ship rolling."

"Currently, we are 240 miles from Port Everglades. Tomorrow morning, after transiting the Bahamas, we will cross the Gulf Stream and be off the coast of Florida. The cell phones will be very busy calling home. At 1845, we will take arrival for Port Everglades and should be all-fast at berth 22, the SE end of the port, near Bert & Jacks Restaurant by 2000. At that point liberty will be granted."
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July 23, 2002


Tuesday
Noon Position:

Latitude: 27.59N
Longitude: 70.09W
Course: 251
Speed:
11.2 knots
a report from captain sam stephenson 5
"Cadets are studying for exams and blinker light before Port Everglades. The ship is rolling moderately in a beam sea. Tonight is the beard growing contest at 1900 on the flight deck. At 1300 formation on Wednesday, there will be a command inspection to ensure that all cadets have shaved their beards and sideburns. Cadets are looking forward to arrival in port Everglades. "
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July 22, 2002


Monday
Noon Position:

Latitude: 29.17N
Longitude: 65.28W
Course: 251
Speed:
11.6 knots
a report from captain sam stephenson 6
"Last night we entered the Bermuda Triangle. The weather continues to be sunny with calm seas, and an excellent horizon for shooting stars and the sun. Many seniors and juniors are getting very close to finishing their celestial navigation project and are busy studying blinker light at the same time. "

"On deck, cadets burned trash the entire day in the incinerator. Other cadets chipped, primed and painted exterior decks and overheads. Cadets worked aloft on the the mast. Cadets Sanders and Whitten worked on stripping the piano and cleaning the inside of the piano which came from the Texas Clipper. "

"Cadets on galley duty served food and then spent the afternoon stripping and waxing the deck in officers mess. The cadets enjoy working together as they strip and wax the decks, they consider this type of work a team building exercise. "

"At 1800 tonight is a command inspection of the cadets cabins. The cadets spend a good amount of time keeping their cabins clean and enjoy the inspections to show how clean their cabins are kept. This afternoon, many cadets were busy stripping and waxing their decks and dusting the overhead pipes in their cabins for tonight's inspection."

"We are expecting to arrive in Port Everglades at 1900 on Thursday night. The cadets have don a great job on this leg of the voyage and are looking forward to getting into port the evening before we are scheduled to arrive. On Friday, engineering cadets will be going to the Wartsilla Diesel training plant for some hands on training."
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July 21, 2002


Sunday
Noon Position:

Latitude: 30.57N
Longitude: 60.17W
Course: 251
Speed:
11.5 knots
a report from captain sam stephenson 7
"All going well. The galley workers were given a day off from work today. The purser, Sherry Meador, organized crew members and supervised their cooking in the galley for breakfast and dinner. Cadets and crew were very complimentary about the food served. This afternoon, a barbecue was held on the flight deck. Crew members from the engine department barbecued brisket and chicken,