Lynx - Part 3

Privateer Lynx

Home Port - Newport Beach, California

Winter Port - Fort Myers, FL, St. Petersburg, FL

After our aborted sailing, I stepped downstairs for a history lesson from one of the crew members.  As she was talking about and displaying basic food on the original Lynx back in 1812,  such as hardtack and salted pork.  Any livestock on board was for the officers.  The salted pork was usually anything left over after the good parts were removed, again, for the officers.  Hardtack was a mix of flour and water, left to harden and was, in essence, a kind of biscuit. 

The above picture is a cabinet in the hold area which is where the present day crew live.  It is a pretty example of carved wood that one might well expect on a sailing ship.  

This is one of the bunks the crew use.  It is narrowed at one end and eyeballing it I'd say the widest head area is smaller than the widest part of a twin bed while the feet area is about half the width of a twin size bed.  They do double duty; two people to a bunk: when one is working the other is down taking it easy or sleeping.

During the day light is provided by glass panels above.

Heat is provided by this gas heater.

Nice gas lighting along the sides with a table in the middle.  Quarters are cramped.

As expected all of the books in the small library cove are nautical in nature.  

Examples of period piece wearing apparel were passed around.  The most interesting aspect of sailor-wear were the pants all tars wore.  They had a buttoned flap in the rear.  When nature called they would go up to the black wooden rope and anchor hold (above) which all sailing ships have, drop the panel, do their business and head back to work.  Yup, this was the bathroom on ships for the regular crew.  Officers used nicer and private quarters elsewhere on board ship.  

Crew members buttoning up canvas after our sail.  They attempt to make the work and tasks just as authentic as when the original Lynx was sailing.  There are no motorized sail hoists.  Some of the additions to the ship were mandated by the Coast Guard such as radar and fire extinguishers.  

My impression of the crew is that they are hard working - friendly, and man-oh-man, they seemed young.  It should not be surprising since climbing around ropes and yardarms wouldn't be for older guys.  I helped man some of the ropes and I can tell you it is hard.  These guys (and girls) have to do it by themselves when there aren't tourists aboard and it can be tough raising those heavy sails.  Also nice to see is the number of women crew members.  As you can see in the above picture there appeared to be an equal number of female sailors to the guys.  

I opened the post and now close it with photos of the Lynx in action elsewhere around the world.  I'm not sure why I am smitten by the Lynx - maybe because there is a certain romance to the tall ships.  I like old cars, it stands to reason I'd like old ships too, I suppose.  After all I come from a sailing family (my Dad was a 90-day wonder in WWII).  But then again, I have no desire to see old sewing machines...but I digress.  

The Lynx is enjoyed her last sail in the area this past weekend and will be traveling from her winter home to visit places where she can resume her educational adventures and tall ship summer circuit.