Voyages of Paradox - and The Wee Captains

The Wee Captains - Wee Hate Mystic

2009-08-09T23:51:00.007-04:00

Wee Hate Mystic!

The Wee Captains bid us depart from Block Island after a wild two nights! The first night the good ship Paradox was rafted up, far from the docks! The second night, our ship was brought next to the docks so the electric cord could be extended.

With good weather planned, tho a risk of storms, the Wee Captains bid farewell to Block Island and the fair lasses of Rhode Island! On to Mystic, CT, the ancient home of the Mariner!

And so we went!

It was a hard journey. We were chased by storms the entire way! Make ready the canvas, lest we get wet, cried the Wee Captains!

The Wee Captains, in consultation with the Captains of the other ships, were in a quandry. No-one could take the whole flotilla. They chose to dock at the Mystic River Marina. It was a nice enough place, but the weather was awful! The good ship Paradox was next to last to dock. We arrived in just enough time to tie up before the driving rain came! It was so bad, that we could not see the tip of the boat from the companionway!

The Wee Captains told us to close up ship, real tight! They had plans for us! Work they said! Tidy up! We have captains chores to do! And they went about their Captainly business watching Captain Cailloux! Mr. Mailman was overseeing it all!

The Wee Captains saw that there was a lull in the rain. Their friends from White Caps went to Mystic Pizza (and kindly got takeout for the crew of Paradox). The crew managed to get to the "club room" of the Mystic River Marina where they played with ping pong rackets (no balls) and found an ancient fire-place! The fire-place was just the right size for the Wee Captains to hide inside!

The Wee Captains were not a fan of Mystic! Perhaps, if the rain were not so bad, and if they had seen the Mystic Seaport Museum and Aquarium, they might have thought better of it!

Come morning, the Wee Captains cried in unison: On to Essex! We know we will have fun in Essex!

The Wee Captains, Summer Cruise 2009

2009-08-09T23:42:00.006-04:00

The Wee Captains Take Block Island!

The Wee Captains took Block Island by Storm! They arrived at the docks ready for action! They comandeered a cab and demanded to be taken to Old Harbor. They were kind to the cab driver, as he was a school teacher, and they felt sorry for him.

First stop, big game hunting! They boys checked out the big game available on the island! Buffalo and Kangaroos and Emu's and Camels! There were a smattering of other game for the Wee Captains to view. The pigs and goats and birds! Ahhh, the birds!

The Wee Captains decided to check out the island for themselves. So they climbed into the carriages and yelled, Mush! Onward! Take us back to the docks!

Galley Slave and Winch Wench were allowed to quench their thirst a a local hamburger joint overlooking the ferry landing. They quickly back to pushing as the Wee Captains rode in style, all the way back to Champlins!

The Wee Captains take Block Island!

2009-08-09T23:27:00.005-04:00

On To Block Island!

The Wee Captains determined that we should make all good course for Block Island, Rhode Island! The weather was fine and the winds fair. There were rumors of maidens fair upon the docks! Damsels, to fall under the spell of the very handsome Wee Captains!

With much determination the winch wench and the galley slave met with the dock hands. It was planned, the maneuver out of the slip and into the fairway! Galley slave at the helm (and guided by the unseen hand of David Kass), The good ship Paradox came out of the slip and swept stealthily into the fairway! There was a round of applause and cheers as Paradox left the docks!

First stop, Brewers gas dock in Greenport! Docking was made and fuel taken on board. Paradox turned in the little basin and put-putted out into the waters between Shelter Island and Greenport!

Avast Ye! cried the Wee Captains! A meeting at the helm was called. Galley slave was left to mind the wheel and winch wench was called forth! The Wee Captains met at the helm to plan our trip to Block Island.

Fair weather and fine winds they cried! On to Block Island and make no haste!

The main was hoisted and the Jib pulled out! We sailed for Block Island on a beam reach! Wiinch wench was given a well deserved break and allowed to come up on deck for a breather!

The winds picked up and the weather started getting worse! The last hour of the trip to Block was a mad dash before 20 knots winds, with gusts to 25 kts! The Wee Captains let it be known that they could not drink their milk in such conditions! The wind would have to be put down or the boat docked without haste!

Unfortunately, the winds and the docks did not cooperate! The good ship Paradox circled the bay for 3 hours before being offered dockage at the noted Champlins Marina. She was rafted out - 9th boat out of 10!

Once the boats in party were docked, the fun began! Party with the Wee Captains!

The Wee Captains, Summer Cruise 2009

2009-08-09T23:17:00.002-04:00

Greenport! Our start for the sea!

The Wee Captains met their fine ship, Paradox III at the docks in Greenport. Load the boat they cried as the galley slave and winch wench worked to unload the van and move The Wee Captains things onto the great sailing ship.

Tied up we were, to a dock. A public dock at that! Makes me reminisce about sailing days of old....but that is another story!

The wee captains had enough of their long van ride and were anxious to get their sea legs under them! But they had reservations at Greenport for 2 nights! So they waited and waited. The first night, they dined at Claudio's with the other captains of the fine ships: Whitecaps, Breathless, Joint Venture, Cat's Paw and with Celerity - The Hummels of great fame!

A good time was had by all!
The next day, the Wee Captains took to the town! Pillage and Burn the town they cried! But they settled for ice-cream at a local establishment. They met Perry and Jean in the town! It was a hot day, but the Wee Captains are hardy men and they stuck it out!

The Wee Captains felt sorry for galley slave and winch wench and agreed to lend a hand in carting the land vehicles back to the ship!

The Wee Captains, Summer Cruise 2009

2009-08-09T22:51:00.002-04:00

Aye, The Wee Captains set forth yet again on another cruise. The winch wench at their beck and call. And their humble servant, the galley slave, at their mercy. The Wee Captains provisioned the boat with little grog but much in the way of the Wee Captains Delights: 3 gallons of fresh milk, 6 cartons of parmalot and a case of condensed milk, just in case. Plenty of chips and cookies and mac and cheese! Hot dogs and white american cheese! Grog and slop for the crew!

The Wee Captains bid the galley slave meet the hired captain at the docks and help them shove off. It was an early morn, sunrise in fact, when the galley slave met the hired captain and hired hands at the docks. I gave the keys and the lines to the hired help and bid them farewell! Meet you in Greenport, they said. And they motored off!

Summer Cruise to Block Island

2008-08-15T18:13:00.012-04:00

"Shanghai'd again" I screamed as I was pushed into the van for the drive to Stonington, Ct. The inglorious mode of travel, on land, rather on water, was but the first punishment for your loyal galley slave. "Catch up with the boat!" screamed the winch wench. It seemed that the good ship Paradox III had been taken from her home port by an as yet unknown captain and brought to Connecticut for a possible run at Block Island.

The vehicle arrived and galley slave and winch wench were thrown to the ground. "Out, out, grab the gear and get to the boat..." screamed the little captains! "Don't forget the bottles and the gear! Bring plenty of food and grog for the crew! Bring the freshies! Lots of freshies!"

Galley slave and winch wench struggled under the weight of the supplies for the little captains. Eventually, all was safely stored below. Lo and behold, the good ship did not sink under the weight of the additional supplies!

The little Captains directed us to meet with the crews of Whitecaps, Breathless and Joint Venture for our sail to the ends of the earth!

The first night was spent at the gas dock in Stongington, Ct. A glorious place to sail and reside!

No single picture could describe the land-side glory! A tasty respite was found at the Dog Watch Cafe, shared with fellow cruisers.

The next day, a sloop arrived with sad tidings. Block Isle was full, no moorings or slips to be had! 6 foot swells were found that day. Quickly, our travel plans were changed and we moved down-river to the Stonington Ct Yacht Club. Another glorious destination, again in Ct.

Dockmaster John was quick to assist with line and lore! The crew was fed at a nearby restaurant. A tour of the Yacht club proved it to be seaworthy and worthy of a return trip!

Another night at dock, and the little captains declared: "Enough of this Stonington! Off to Westbrook Ct we go!" And with that order, galley slave and winch wench worked the lines and brought the stout vessel into Fisher's Island sound and on to the next port. As the ship passed the light, a cry was let out! "Hazzah, to be on the move again!"

At Westbrook, at a dock, the most amazing light show could be seen among the heavens! Lightning here and thunder there. It seemed a cannon battle was blazing around us!

From Westbrook, the little flotilla made for Port Jefferson in NY. Most of the boats in the flotilla left early, but the little captains demanded a rest. "Why shove off so early? why not stay and enjoy a bottle and nap? A freshie or two would not be bad!"

Atleast the little captains permitted the galley slave and the winch wench to put out the sails and air them out! An hour spent at sail was like a week on vacation!

The little captains did not know the weather. Lo and behold, it fell upon the galley slave to dodge one thunder storm and another on the way to Port Jefferson! We hugged the CT coast for safety before darting into the sound and trying out luck against the storms headed for Port Jefferson.

We had a glorious gun battle with the Pt. Jeff ferry, but retired as the ferry brought more guns to bear than the little Paradox III. The little captains did not want to give up the fight, but galley slave slinked away during nap time!

"To the steam room, to the steam room" cried the little captains! Alas, there was to be no steam for galley slave and winch wench! The little captains craved steamed lobster and fried fish. Mere fried fish was saved for the lowly winch wench! A walk around the port showed the sceevy nature of such a port! Fisticuffs and knife fights abounded among the slovenly denizens of the port! A night on the mooring was uneventful.....

In the early morn, the whole flotilla, with the addition Cat's Paw and crew, made way for achorage in Cold Spring Harbor. The sail to the Harbor was pleasant and calm. Few scattered winds paved the way for the little flotilla. Only when the boats reached the mouth of the harbor did the wind arrive, but too late for sails!

Paradox rafted up to Cats Paw for victuals and grog! The little captains demanded grog and feed! Bottles all around they cried! After returning to the Paradox, Cats Paw let go and Paradox took up position on the hook in the midst of the fleet. The galley slave was left to mind the anchor as the crew went to sleep.

Early morning proved to be a glorious day!

The trip back to Home port was a slow passage. We beat the storm into port. We managed to dock the boat and unload the little captains before the great storm hit.

And so ends another chapter of our cruising days......................................

Mutiny's Afoot

2008-07-07T13:02:00.002-04:00

"Mutiny!" they cried. "Mutiny!" "No more beatings, the grog is too weak and there be no wenches for the crew!"
That's what the rest of the crew screamed as they left the decks and the bridge and ran below!
They left me, lowly galley slave, at the helm to man the ship. The crew cornered the winch wench in the galley and demanded bottles of milk! Milk? on a long voyage?
Well, the winch wench fooled them into taking powdered formula instead.
Drunk with the formula, the crew screamed and yelled a bit more, then quickly fell to sleep.
I, lowly galley slave, managed to get the boat back to port, before they awoke and disembarked!
Pics and more to follow.

Additions to Crew

2008-04-03T15:23:00.003-04:00

The merry winch wench and the galley slave announce the arrival of two new crew members. Evan Michael and Shaun Louis have arrived. Disembarcation date was November 26, 2007. Both crew arrived healthy and happy! Crew is growing and maturing. Both are willling and able to serve as rail-meat for considerate captains. Must serve together. Bottle and Binky at the ready!

Shanghai'd again

2007-05-27T22:30:00.000-04:00

Galley Slave had come to shore to pickup victuals, supplies and other bits demanded by the Winch Wench. While nibbling at a bid of smoked fish at the eatery, Galley Slave was Shanghai'd by none other than the Captain of the s/v Cat's Paw!

A sneak attack it was, and in broad daylight. The Captain took Galley Slave with his arm behind his back and marched him out to Cat's Paw to assist him with his guests and to be his crew.

Also taken in this sneak attack was the Captain of Breathless, made to do a poor man's work at the behest of the Cat's Paw.

You see, Cat's Paw had special cargo this day!

Four visiting guests from far away Universe of Columbia! Surely a grand place, but located in the dirty, nasty city. So unlike the grander Universe of Llenroc, located in pristine countrysides with its hills and dales and rivers and waterfalls....but I digress......

There they were, the four dignitaries from the Universe of Columbia! Great and Majestic were the Ladies. And surely a Knight was the man.

Galley Slave and Captain Breathless worked tirelessly for the Tyrant Captain of Cat's Paw. T'is a grand vessel, but much work she requires to be made ready for sea! Pull the canvas, reveal the winches and eisenglass. Yank upon the lines to hoist the sails, main and jib! Away the pin and be ye damned if you don't remember to pull it back upon the starboard bow!

A glorious sail, it was! Winds came from the north and then the east! A fast, stable passage was made to Big Tom Rock. A quick trip to City Island, then beating a return to Great Neck Point! When the winds died, the Kind Captain of Cat's Paw allowed the use of the Iron Main. He threatened to have Galley Slave take the stern of the boat and kick with his might to drive the boat to the moor, and he threatened to have Captain Breathless take the tow rope in his teeth to swim and pull Cat's Paw to the moor, but these were mere idle threats

Again, fast passage was made on the Iron Main.

To the moor without haste was the cry from the bridge!

And Captain Breathless, fearful of the lash, remembered to take the moor upon the starboard side! And both he and Galley Slave worked tirelessly to refit Cat's Paw to ship shape and ready for journey's end as canvas was laid to the glass, sails were tied and all made fast.

And Tyrant Captain of Cat's Paw kept his reputation, as not a bit of grog was passed among the crew! Water and soda were drinks of the day!

Yet me thinks the Tyrant Captain is no such Tyrant, as nary a yell or a holler was heard that day!

At the end of journey, all shanghai'd crew were allowed to leave and take respite upon the land.

The Captain's Guest made their way back to the city and Universe of Columbia. Hopefully, all will fare well and return to sail again upon s/v Cat's Paw!

And that is the end of this tale....

May 26, 2007 - a little time away

2007-05-27T22:25:00.000-04:00

Both Winch Wench and Galley Slave put in a good days work on this day! As a bit of a reward, Admiral Roxie permitted them a dip in the pool, usually reserved for visiting dignitaries. Oh, what a feeling! Cool water...... The kiddie side of the pool was much warmer (hmmmm?).

When Winch Wench and Galley Slave had completed their time in the pool, they were permitted victuals at the shoreside eatery prior to returning to the Paradox III.

Galley Slave fell to the usual routine, while Winch Wench busied herself in the Admiral's Cabin. When work was done, they hailed the launch to make for home. Unfortunately, the KYC launch was assisting the crew of a neighboring launch. It seems the neighboring launch neglected to secure their propellor when the boat was put to the water! ;)

T'was nearly a full watch before the Winch Wench and Galley Slave were permitted to return to the good dry earth.

No pictures today, t'was a working day!

May 20, 2007 Family Sail

2007-05-20T22:16:00.000-04:00

The Winch Wench and the Galley Slave spent a good morning out in the local town. They shanghai'd a scurvy crew for the Paradox III's afternoon sail!

The day started with a bite to eat at the shack on land before the new crew was brought beore the mast.

T'was a glorious day on the water for Honarary First Mate Rachel and Assistant First Mate Becky! They took turns staring out onto the water, yet retired early to test out the crews quarters. Asst First Mate Becky was not happy with one bunk, but tried them all! She rolled from bunk to bunk to make sure that not one was untouched! First Mate Rachel offered to steer, but later agreed to a well deserved nap after her watch was over!

Whilst the mates were asleep, crewmembers Holly and David assisted the usual crew with lookout positions in the mast. Crewman David even volunteer to bring in the lines at the end of the sail when the Winch Wench went forward with the gaff.

Crewman Margie was aboard and did her share to make certain that proper nautical terms were used through the day. Port and starboard were the cries from Margie! You have to learn the nautical terms if you hope to be a true seaman. Margie showed her prowess as she scampered up and down the companionway after her formal tour of the crews quarters.

Crew Nat and Linda were also aboard. Nat took charge of photographing the voyage for posterity. Crewman Linda was truely a joy to have aboard. She requested nourishment and water for the crew. She did not even request her portion of grog until she reached land at the end of day! Not a cry was heard from crew Linda when the boat heeled to 20degrees, nor any threat upon the person of the Galley Slave who was at the helm at the time! Oh, the good old days when the crew knew from a good lashing at the helm if the boat left level!!!

The crew was released from service and surrendered to the launch in time for crewman Margie to make her shuttle back to Boston! First Mate Rachel and Assistance First Mate Becky were assisted to the launch by crew Holly and David. They were held aloft on the launch so they could bid farewell to the good ship Paradox III as they rode away!

Shoreside, the scurvy crew chowed down on graham crackers, pretzels and leftover food unfit for the scurvy bunch they were. Rations of grog were consumed and a good time was had by all!

Fair weather and fair winds were had. 15kts gusting to 25kts out of the southeast, with hardly a cloud in the sky. At end of day, storm clouds moved in a a hint of rain was seen

Book One, Chapter One, Page One

2007-05-15T13:06:00.000-04:00

This is the first entry into a sea-going Blog of the sailing vessel Paradox III, humbly submitted by none other than the ships own Galley Slave.
Paradox III was launched April 1, 2007 in Huntington, New York at the southern end of Huntington Harbor.
Maiden voyage included the shakedown crew of Galley Slave, Winch Wench and Kevin Coneys. It was a glorious day! Cold and damp, but plenty of wind to fill the sails!