Sailing Stories 3

White Sound, Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas
26 46.64 N 077 20.14 W

Here's another sailing story from our favorite salty curmudgeons, Art and Don.

The Bluenose II is a schooner tall ship. She is the symbol of Nova Scotia. Canada sometimes uses her as an ambassadorial vessel. For 20 years, Don was Captain of the Bluenose II. Art was his first mate. For crew, they took Canadian youth looking for their first sea experience.

Once, the government of Canada, sent the Bluenose II to the USA as the Canadian representative to the christening of the vessel USS Truman. Don was captain, Art was first mate, their crew were youths. All of them strictly civilian.

When it came time for the christening ceremony, ships of all nations were invited to send their senior officers ashore to inspect the troops. The closest thing that Don and Art had to a uniform was matching khaki shorts and matching tee shirts from Don's personal boat. Everyone else, Americans and foreigners alike all seemed to have beautifully white starched naval uniforms besplendid with medals and gold shoulder epaulets. As Don and Art came down the gangplank a reviewing line of US Navy Admirals snapped to attention. There were seven admirals, and about 40 other senior officers there, none below the rank of commander. Don and Art tried to hold poker faces as they walked down the line and reviewed the troops. My guess is that while they walked the line, the Navy was probably on the phone to the Canadian Embassy to tell them, "Don't send those two clowns again."

After the ceremony, the guests were all invited to tour the USS Truman. Everyone declined except Don and Art and a Captain from Russia who was dressed even more disgracefully than the Canadians. When they boarded the Truman, they were met by the Captain himself. The Truman's Captain gave them the gold plated tour, then everyone parted politely.