After So Many Months...

Today started as most other early Sunday mornings do for me on Maintenance Day. I got up very early, clambered into my car, made my stop at Starbucks for coffee and breakfast, and got on the road. After an uneventful drive punctuated only by a spectacular sunrise, I arrived early in San Diego.

There were only a few people on deck this early, but all of them were focused on Peter, one of the miracle workers in the Museum's staff. He was telling this tale of researching, making phone calls, and a meeting that took place at noon sometime last week. His telling finished with his dancing a jig on deck, with all of us open-mouthed at the news his story brought us. The H.M.S Surprise, the ship we've all worked almost a year to get by Coast Guard red tape to sail, is finally going to be allowed to leave dockside and set sail.

We've been waiting so long to hear this news that we almost gave up hope it would ever happen. Our Captain was soon on board, and though he didn't say anything to anybody, he was absolute beaming. I've never seen him that happy.

When crew muster finally began, and announcements were made about various things, the news was released to the entire Museum crew. I've never heard so many "three cheers for...!!" Captain Chris and Peter were seriously the happiest men on board. And better yet, by the time the muster had come to order a little while before, the lists were posted up with the names of those who'd passed the annual exam and what ship they were posted to.

When muster broke up and we scattered to our respective vessels, there were 49 Surprises and one Captain at the break in the quarterdeck of the Surprise ready to sail. All we have left to do to satisfy the Coast Guard that we are ready is to be able to launch a little inflatable power boat over the side for rescue ops in 5 minutes or less. With some practice to work out the kinks, we did it in 3 minutes 56 seconds. "Hip Hip! Hooray!"

So, the week after next training begins in earnest. Three months, every Sunday at 7:30, I will be on board the Surprise, standing at the mizzen, ready to handle braces, clews, buntlines, and halyards.

On November 10th and 11th, WE ARE GOING SAILING!!