|
| Click any image to enlarge |
Dominic Serres (1722–1793) was born in France. After studying at a seminary, he moved to Spain where he became a merchant sailor. Eventually, in the Caribbean, he was captured by the British and imprisoned. While in prison he took up painting. Upon release he moved to England and began his career as a painter of maritime subjects, most generally warships of the time.
|
| Dominic Serres |
The above video shows what a 16th century explorer's ship would a have looked like, from its hull construction to its rigging. Such ships were small, with a shallow draft so they could work closer to coastlines. As you can see, while not having cargo space like a merchant would have, it was heavily armed if it needed to fight. It looks like the living conditions would have been miserable.
A couple on a circumnavigation pass through the Panama Canal on their catamaran to get to the Pacific Ocean. Aboard they have their parents and a few hired locals to help handle the lines. They also have a pilot to help them navigate the canal. It is an interesting up-close look, from the deck of a small boat, of the passage through the locks and waterways of the canal.
Above is a video touring the Star Clipper. I was on its sister ship the Star Flyer. They appear to be more-or-less identical. I've never really been interested in taking a cruise; stage shows, casinos, bars scattered hither and yon and thousands of fellow passengers don't appeal to me. However, this was a small boat (there were about 140 passengers on the cruise), so I caved into Ms Sinistral's wishes and gave it a try.
We sailed along the Windward Islands stopping here and there. Before the cruise I was cynical enough to expect that masts to be mainly cosmetic, but they actually sailed the boat. I would guess that over 90% of the time we were under sail rather than power. It was interesting seeing how the sails were rigged and handled.
Below is a video of the fellow's stateroom. Mine was laid out a little differently, but it was the same size. Like him, I too was on the bottom deck, I joked that we were traveling in steerage.
All in all it was a relaxing trip. I would recommend it.
This is a long video, but a very good one. It is film from a 4 masted barque the Peking rounding Cape Horn in 1928. It was filmed by Irving Johnson who was a novice sailor on the trip. He eventually owned and was Master on three his own ships.
His narrated film shows storms as well as life aboard the Peking. The shots up in the rigging are amazing. Definitely no soy boys on that vessel.
 |
| Click any image to enlarge |
