The 25th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

October 13-19, 2014
 From Baltimore, Maryland, to Portsmouth, Virginia

Schooners underway at the beginning of the
Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.

There are schooners here, there and just about everywhere participating in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR). The 25th annual race begins Thursday, October 16th on the south side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis, Maryland. The schooners race throughout the afternoon and night into the next day to their designated finish line. For classes A and AA, the finish is an east-west line at Thimble Shoal Light and classes B and C finish at Windmill Point. Then they proceed on to docking in Portsmouth, Virginia along the quaint historic seaport's basins and seawall.

Schooners rafted together at the High Street Landing at the end
of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. Photo by Joe Elder.

With 34 entries in this year's race represented from all around the Chesapeake Bay and as far away as Key West, Florida, they'll be schooners of all types and sizes for you to view. The schooners will be on view in Portsmouth's North and High Street Landings as well as along the Olde Towne riverfront. Some may be available at times for boarding and tours. Make sure to bring your camera along for this is surely a  great photographic opportunity.

A. J. Meerwald under sail during the
Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. Photo by Allen Graves.

Plan to spend the day and take in all that Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia has to offer. This is a great time to stroll along our historic High Street corridor and visit our exceptional antique shops, art galleries and unique specialty stores found in Olde Towne. Have a great lunch or dinner in one of our chef and family owned restaurants, sports bars and pubs...there's plenty to choose from and you'll definitely find one to your liking.

Figurehead of the Schooner "Lady Maryland." Photo by Joe Elder.

HISTORY
Schooner racing on the Chesapeake Bay is rooted in the trade rivalry between Baltimore, Maryland, at the northern end of the Bay, and Portsmouth/Norfolk, Virginia, at the southern end. The fastest sailing vessels delivered goods and people to their destinations and often garnered the best price for their cargo by beating slower schooners into port. Over the years, commercial schooner designs evolved for the bay's routes — taking into consideration shallow waters, local crops and regional needs, with speed being a primary concern to beat competitively loaded vessels into port. These schooners also played a critical role in our nation's early wars. While there are no cargo-hauling schooners now working the Bay, there are a considerable number of schooners still in use as cruising vessels and privately owned boats.

Schooners and rigging dominate the view at the High Street Landing,
 Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. Photo by Joe Elder.

In 1988, when the City of Baltimore launched her flagship modeled on those earlier vessels, Captain Lane Briggs of the Tugantine Norfolk Rebel — the world's only sail-powered schooner-rigged tugboat — challenged the Pride of Baltimore II to a race from Baltimore to Norfolk, reviving an historic rivalry between schooners, captains and cities on the Bay. With the challenge accepted, the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR) was born.

In 1990, a weekend in October was set aside for what had become an annual event, and yacht clubs at the northern and southern ends of the race volunteered to support the schooners and crews in their efforts.

"Mystic Whaler" sails into Baltimore before the race begins. Photo by Joe Elder.

Over the 25 years of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, there have been some incredible races with schooners going to the wire to win. Harsh weather conditions in some of the races have tested the mettle of the vessels, crews and captains. As many as 56 schooners have signed up for a single race, and more than 150 — with vessels from as far away as California - have enjoyed the fall race on the Bay. The 2007 race was the fastest race in this long series. With strong following winds, several schooners set new records for both elapsed and corrected time. The schooner Virginia set a new time to beat of 11 hours, 18 minutes and 53 seconds, beating the previous record of 12 hours, 57 minutes and 51 seconds set by Imagine...! in the 2005 GCBSR.

Sea Inspired Earthenware Creations by Kevin Collins

Kevin Collins holds one of his sea bowls.

Inspired by marine life that survive in the brackish habitats that exist along our Virginia shore, kevin Collins brings to life a unique collection of ceramic (porcelain) creations for your coastal home. The forms take on shapes of modeled bowls with oyster shells and barnicles and shell colored inner surfaces in shades of pink, coral, blues, greens and purples. Kevin's earthenware creations also take on the form of shell lamps, some actually starting with a piece of driftwood with small sea creatures added to the natural surface. His collection also includes shell-designed necklaces and earrings and even individual oyster shell and clumps of barnacles as refrigerator magnets. His designs are endless and we never know what Kevin will come up with next. These porcelain art pieces are functional   art oieces and perfect decor item for your beach and coastal home.

Sea-inspired coral colored ceramic bowl with barnacles.

Kevin's first experience in creating pottery was at the age of 12. He was offered a class in ceramics and discovered that he inspired to working and creating art with his hands. He also was interested in oceanography at a young age and fascinated with ocean marine life and the small sea creatures that lived along the waters edge and could be observed during the change of tides. Low tide exposed a variety of mullosks such as barnacles, oyster shells and welks and crustaceans that survived in our local waters with each ebb and flow and attached themselves to it's coastal surroundings. Kevin selects colors for his creations reminescent of the smooth interior of shells like conchs, oysters and giant clams.

Oyster shell lamp by Kevin Collins.

 Kevin's passion for marine ecology and his skill as a potter led to the design and production of his current ceramic and low-fired earthenware creations. Each sea bowl, lamp or piece of jewelry is within itself a study in marine life. His exceptional marine creations are unique, one of a kind, signed and dated by the artist.


A native of Hanover County, Virginia, Kevin has won numerous competitions and awards for his ceramic works of art. A selection of his ceramic creations were displayed in the front window of Tiffany's, New York. Custom pieces can be created for you and typically takes approximately six weeks to produce.

You can visit and see Kevin's coastal creations in person at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery located along Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia's riverfront (next to the High Street Ferry Landing and basin).  Or on their webstore at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery or go directly to Kevin Collins page by following the link here; marine artist Kevin Collins.

Ceramic oyster magnet vy Kevin Collins.

Spectacular Battleship Size 48-Star American Flag

Massive 48 star US ensign laid out in front of Skipjack Nautical Wares.

It's a wonder what one might find digging around at local antiques and flea markets. And that is what we encountered this last Saturday at the Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market here in Portsmouth, Virginia. Held the first Saturday of each month, the Olde Towne Portsmouth event is always full of interesting items, from the typical yard sale flea type finds to the most unexpected treasures. Last year, I discovered and purchased a Philadelphia windsor bowback side chair, branded with the name of the maker, John Letchworth (1759-1843). His shop was located on Third Street between Chestnut and Walnut (1784) and he actually made chairs for Thomas Jefferson and used at Monticello. More on this in a later blog.

A view above the flag. Magnificent!

This time we discovered an extremely large pile of wool bunting stuck in the corner of the vendors booth that appeared to be the colors and design of an American flag. Upon closer inspection, we knew it was more than that, it was a major find. I asked the owner what he knew about it. He responded by saying that they had just purchased it and it came out of a house accross the river in Norfolk, VA. The flag had been stored away for longer than the previous owner could remember, but recounted that it once was flown above a battleship during WWII. Unfortuately, he did not know the battleships name. This is not unusual. Other accounts of battleships decommissioned and deaccessed flags were sometimes removed in order to maintain secrecy.

I continued and asked him how large was the flag and the condition....obviously way to big to unfold and inspect in it's current location. He responded, "Well, it's about 20 feet by 30 feet or thereabouts and is definitely worn. To big for anyone to hang on their walls".
After not much consideration, Alison paid them for it and I hauled it out to our car. Damn heavy; that's a lot of flag to carry and a lot of history too!

Alison measures the  height of the flag.

Later that day, with the help of a few of our friends, we unmatted the pile of flag and stretch her out in front of our store. We reviewed the condition of our find- yes, definitely some rips and tears, typical of the damage inflicted on a ships flag due to weather and/or battle conditions. We found the flag makers tag sewn on to the heavy canvas heading. The tag stated:  "HIGH GRADE, REG. U.S. PAT. OFF., BUNTING, -ALL WOOL-, THE BEST SINCE 1847'. This was the label used on U.S. government and military flags made by Annin & Company, New York, a major producer of high quality flags and the maker of this one as well. The massive 48-Star US national ensign flag, measured  20' x 38' in size and according to the presidents standardized sizing for flags created in 1912, this is flag size #1, the largest of US ensigns produced. Annin & Co. named this size flag "ABRUS".

The sewn on tag by Annin & Co., New York.

Folding up the flag for safe storage.

A 1926 advertisement fot Annin & Co., New York.

USS Iowa commissioning ceremony. The flag is similar to the one in this blog.

This flag was a great discovery and I would rank it up there with some of our greatest we've uncovered to date. Not so much as a valuable item, monetarily wise, but such a major symbol of our nation, potentially flown during major naval battles and rising above all others as the symbol of freedom that so many have laid down their lives defending it. Semper Fi!

Here is the link on Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Galleries page on our webstore. We will also consider donating it to the right foundation or museum if the right opportunity arrives.  We have also included here a link to the Zaricor flag collection, a national treasure presentation of American ensigns, jacks, flags  & pennants.

A Commemorative Look at Schooners- the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

America 2.0 at the beginning of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, 2011.
Photo by Joe Elder aboard the Schooner Spirit of Independence.

     Olde Towne Portsmouth once again hosted the finale of the 23rd Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race  from Baltimore Mayland with 37 participating schooners. Here is a photographic study of these exceptional sailing vessels docked along Olde Towne's waterside. Enjoy!

An 18th century cannon stands sentinal  in front of the schooner "Mystic Whaler"
docked along side the High Street basin. Photo by Joe Elder.

HISTORY

Schooner "Adventurer" figurehead.
Photo by Joe Elder.

Schooner racing on the Chesapeake Bay is rooted in the trade rivalry between Baltimore, Maryland, at the northern end of the Bay, and Portsmouth/Norfolk, Virginia, at the southern end. The fastest sailing vessels delivered goods and people to their destinations and often garnered the best price for their cargo by beating slower schooners into port. Over the years, commercial schooner designs evolved for the bay's routes — taking into consideration shallow waters, local crops and regional needs, with speed being a primary concern to beat competitively loaded vessels into port. These schooners also played a critical role in our nation's early wars. While there are no cargo-hauling schooners now working the Bay, there are a considerable number of schooners still in use as cruising vessels and privately owned boats.

Wheel  from the schooner
"Liberty Clipper".
Photo by Joe Elder

In 1988, when the City of Baltimore launched her flagship modeled on those earlier vessels, Captain Lane Briggs of the TugantineNorfolk Rebel — the world's only sail-powered schooner-rigged tugboat — challenged the Pride of Baltimore II to a race from Baltimore to Norfolk, reviving an historic rivalry between schooners, captains and cities on the Bay. With the challenge accepted, the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR) was born.

In 1990, a weekend in October was set aside for what had become an annual event, and yacht clubs at the northern and southern ends of the race volunteered to support the schooners and crews in their efforts.

Schooners  at the High Street basin, Olde Towne Portsmouth. Photo by Joe Elder.

Bowsprit of the "Liberty Clipper".
Photo by Joe Elder.

Over the 21 years of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, there have been some incredible races with schooners going to the wire to win. Harsh weather conditions in some of the races have tested the mettle of the vessels, crews and captains. As many as 56 schooners have signed up for a single race, and more than 150 — with vessels from as far away as California - have enjoyed the fall race on the Bay. The 2007 race was the fastest race in this long series. With strong following winds, several schooners set new records for both elapsed and corrected time. The schooner Virginia set a new time to beat of 11 hours, 18 minutes and 53 seconds, beating the previous record of 12 hours, 57 minutes and 51 seconds set by Imagine...! in the 2005 GCBSR.

Skylight binnacle and wheel  from the schooner "Adventurer".  Photo by Joe Elder.

Belaying pins. Photo by Joe Elder.

With the growth of the event and the resulting focus on these vintage sailing craft, the organizers and sponsors elected soon after the start of the event to maximize the value of the race in very special ways. The race brings focus to the maritime traditions of schooners on the Chesapeake and brings attention to the environmental issues facing the Chesapeake. All net proceeds of the race are donated to support youth education efforts aimed at saving the bay. This is why the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race is proud to say that we are "Racing to Save the Bay!"  History taken from the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race website.

Carved and gilded figurehead  of the schooner "Lady Maryland". Photo by Joe Elder.

Port light. Photo by Joe Elder.

Line wrapped around a belaying pin. Photo by Joe Elder.

Hawse pipe and  line. Photo by Joe Elder.

Schooner "Virginia" flies the  American flag from her stern. Photo by Joe Elder..

Deck view of the "Pride of Baltimore II". Photo by Joe Elder.

Ships bell of the schooner "Lady Maryland". Photo by Joe Elder.

Wheel of the tugantine "Norfolk Rebel".  Photo by Joe Elder.

Bow of the "Pride of Baltimore II". Photo by Joe Elder.

Skipjack Nautical Wares storefront is fronted by the bowsprit of the "Mystic Whaler."
Photo by Joe Elder.

Thank you to all of the participants and volunteers that make this such a memorable event. We hope to see you all again next year and until then, calm seas and following winds. From the staff at Skipjack Nautical Wares and all of us from Olde Towne  Portsmouth. Cheers!

Celebrating OpSail 2012 Virginia at Skipjack Nautical Wares

On the horizon lies a historic American milestone, an extraordinary occasion for the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, planned together with the spectacle of OpSail 2012. OpSail 2012 Virginia is collaboration between Operation Sail Inc. (OpSail) national, the United States Navy, Norfolk Festevents and the 36th Annual AT&T Harborfest events, and hundreds of national, state and local organizations.

From June 1 -12, 2012, the Port of Virginia will once again host an impressive fleet of tall ships, navy and military war ships representing the world. OpSail 2012 Virginia  and Harborfest is planned to illuminate the community with spectacle and festivity, and will place our Commonwealth front and center on the world stage.

Tall ship 'KALMAR NYCKEL'  will be participating in OpSail 2012 and along  the
Portsmouth, Virginia waterfront.  Photo by Joe Elder.

This will truly be a memorable maritime event, with exciting activities taking place throughout the region.  OpSail 2012 Virginia is a $65 million production, projected to have an attendance of 1.5 million people during the 12 days. In addition, 4000 U.S. and foreign officers, cadets, crew and diplomats will be in town. Though the largest concentration of the ships will be available for boarding along  the Norfolk waterfront,  the City of Portsmouth will host the tall ship 'GAZELA' located next to the High Street Landing and  in front of Skipjack Nautical Wares as well as the tall ships "HMS BOUNTY' and 'KALMAR NYCKEL' just a short walk down the seawall at Ocean Marine. Also, the USCG Cutter, the 'WILLIAM TATE' will docked along the seawall near the High Street Landing.

The tall ship 'GAZELA' will be next to the High Street landing and in front of
Skipjack Nautical Wares during OpSail 2012. Photo by Joe Elder.

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery will be presenting their annual Marine Folk Art show concurrently with OpSail 2012 Virginia, opening Thursday, May 31st, 2012 and running throughout the month of June. This years show is titled "Don't Give Up the Ship"  in celebration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Original 19th century folk painting  of "the Battle of Lake Erie" is part of Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Galleries  annual folk art show titled "DON''T GIVE UP THE SHIP" celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and OpSail 2012 Virginia. Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery is located on Portsmouth, Virginia's waterfront next to the High Street Landing. Photo by Joe Elder.

Folk carvings by Jac & Patricia Johnson  will be on
display during  "Don't Give Up the Ship" folk art show
celebrating the Bicentennial of  the War of 1812 and OpSail 2012.
Photo by Joe Elder.

Some of Skipjack's associate artists will be on hand, Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 to demonstrate different maritime skills, such as scrimshaw carving, knot-tieing, wood carving and other sailor and folk art skills.

OpSail 2012 Virginia is the perfect opportunity to visit Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery where you'll discover one of the finest collections of marine artwork, nautical antiques and decor, Chelsea marine clocks, authentic ship salvage, nautical lamps, lighting and furnishings, marine instruments as well as our own Skipjack Nautical Wears yachting apparel and jewelry. Skipjack is also the best place for nautical gifts too!

The tall ship 'KALMAR NYCKEL' during the parade of sail. Photo by Joe Elder.

For a listing of OpSail 2012 Virginia events to be held along Portmouth's downtown/Olde Towne seaboard, go to  http://www.opsail2012virginia.com/events-schedule/portsmouth .  For information about OpSail 2012 Virginia, go to http://www.opsail2012virginia.com/.

Skipjack nautical Wares & Marine Gallery is an Official OpSail 2012 Virginia Certified Business.  http://www.skipjacknauticalwares.com. 

A Memorial Tribute to Captain J.C. Waters

August 18, 1941 - February 14, 2012

Captain J.C. Waters teaching a maritime course aboard his schooner Spirit of Independence.  Photo by Joe Elder.

We first met J.C. Waters in the spring of 2006 when he and his daughter Joy visited our store (then at 629 High Street) while on a voyage up the Atlantic coast aboard the"Spirit of Independence". J.C. had recently completed and launched the schooner in his hometown of Independence, Missouri, and was in search of a new location to relocate the schooner. We talked extensively during his first visit about the "Spirit of Independence" and told J.C. all about our quaint historic seaport, Olde Towne Portsmouth. He invited Alison and me to visit his schooner moored at Tidewater Yacht, so we met him after closing for a tour of the Spirit. What a magnificent vessel it was. 

We stayed in contact via e-mail and J.C. kept us abreast of his travel and search for a new place to call home. A year passed by when we received correspondence from J.C. about his plans to return to Portsmouth. After numerous visits to other ports of call, J.C. had chosen Portsmouth to be his new residence. He, like many of us had a vision and could see the potential of Portsmouth as his chosen destination. We all applauded his decision and certainly welcomed him, Marsha and Joy as new residents!

J.C., Marsha and Joy quickly became involved as part of the Olde Towne community and after careful   planning, started his charter business and the "Spirit of Independence" became a regular fixture at the High Street Landing and sailing along the Elizabeth River. Many of Portsmouth and other Hampton Roads residents have crewed along with J.C. and Joy aboard the "Spirit" on weekend sails on the Elizabeth, a sail to Bermuda and as participants in four of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Races.  We at Skipjack have worked along side J.C. as a booking agent and to assist in marketing his sailing adventures. I personally had the pleasure to be one of the crew on his last Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race- an adventure that I will certainly remember for a lifetime.

Alison and I will forever miss J.C.'s visits to Skipjack, his wonderful Missouri demeanor, his pleasant manner and non-stop smile. Here's to you  J.C.. You will surely be missed by one and all!

Captain J.C. Waters raises the City of Portsmouth flag high above the schooner. Photo by Joe Elder.

Joseph Clinton “J.C.” Waters, was born August 18, 1941, in Independence, MO and graduated from William Chrisman High School where he excelled in track and football.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree from CMSU and his Master’s in Education from UMKC. He taught for many years in the Independence School District, retiring in 1997.

J.C. Waters standing by the hull of the Spirit of Independence. Photo by Joy Waters.

J.C. combined his love of sailing with business as the owner of Porte Des Voyageurs (translated as Door of the Travelers) boat shop in Independence for thirty-five years. He realized his life-long dream by building the seventy-six foot schooner, The Spirit of Independence, which was launched in 2005 from Independence. Following a maiden cruise through rivers and locks to the Atlantic Ocean, the Spirit made her home in Portsmouth, VA where she started charters and tours in 2009.

Captain J.C. Waters at the helm of his schooner "Spirit of Independence." Photo by Allen Graves.

J.C. was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say (Hard-way Warrior Sachem Swift ShootingStar) and a Sea Explorer where he was Skipper of Ship 204 and achieved the Quartermaster Award (similar to Eagle Scout). J.C. was a licensed Merchant Marine Captain granted by the U.S. Coast Guard and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was also an avid flyer and previously had a pilot’s license. In addition to his sailing and flying skills, J.C. was an accomplished marksman, master carpenter, silversmith and metal fabricator. 

Captain Waters standing on the deck of the Spirit of Independence, Baltimore, Md. , Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. Photo by Allen Graves.

J.C. was preceded in death by his brother Michael Waters and parents Alfred and Verla Waters. He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Marsha Waters, of the home; son Jarrod Waters and wife Melinda of Grain Valley, MO; daughter Janet Tracy and husband Carl of Independence, MO; daughter Joy Waters of Chesapeake, VA; brother Paul Waters and wife Nancy of Overland Park,

Schooner Spirit of Independence built by J.C. Waters in Independence, Missouri.

The eighth bell has now been rung,

Your watch is now complete.

But the ship must still be guarded,

and I will not fall asleep.

For tomorrow brings a new adventure

And though the seas be thick,

I will recall my Captain’s words

And hit another lick.

The 2010 Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

Schooner Days 2010,  Portsmouth, Virginia

October 15-16, 2010

 

Schooner Days is a celebration of the world’s largest gathering of schooners along the waterfront of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. It's held this year in conjunction with the 21st Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Baltimore to Portsmouth- racing to save the bay!

 

Schooners LADY MARYLAND  and LIBERTY CLIPPER at Portsmouth, Virginia's Schooner Days.

This two-day celebration offers numerous maritime-related activities along the seawall and at the High Street Landing; many are free to the general public.

Schooners line the seawall at Portsmouth, Virginia's High Street Landing

The Portsmouth waterfront from North Landing to beyond the High Street Landing will showcase over 40 schooners from local and distant ports and is considered the largest gathering of schooners in the world.

A gathering of  great vintage wooden schooners are clustered together in Olde Towne Portsmouth for Schooner Days.

 

 Schooner Days was created to commemorate Portsmouth, Virginia's rich maritime history with a variety of scheduled historical recreation events including demonstrations by shipwright artisans, maritime related musicians, costumed actors and even a hands-on building of a skiff! Other exhibits will be on hand to bring awareness for the need to preserve and improve the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay. For more information, visit the Schooner Days site at http://schoonerdays.blogspot.com/