The Beacon

Volume 30 Number 10
December 2000

The Official Newsletter of the Saanich Peninsula Squadron

A UNIT OF CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRONS

Commander Cdr Ken Reeves 655-3602  
Past Commander P/Cdr Helen Louwerse 544-4358 hagelo@pinc.com
Executive Officer Lt/Cdr Greg Nutt 656-4212 nuttgreg@ hotmail.com
Training Officer Lt/Cdr Greg Nutt 656-4212 nutz@ home.com
Assistant Training Officer 1st Lt John Hudson 655-3653 jchcmh@home.com
ATO Chief Proctor 1st Lt Sita Pillay 656-5675 palsita@pacificcoast.net
Youth Training Officer 1st Lt Barbara Bond 384-4268 bondbond@ultranet.ca
Training Aids Officer 1st Lt David Teece 658-0299 dteece@home.com
Treasurer 1st Lt Jim Dawson 658-8204
Secretary 1st Lt Paulette Nutt 656-4212 pnutt8@hotmail.com
Membership Officer 1st Lt Diana McBratney 656-4590 dianam@uvic.ca
Editor, Beacon 1st Lt Heather Pepper 656-8101 mlpepper@home.com
Publisher, Beacon 1st Lt Agnes Simpson 652-1291
Supply Officer 1st Lt Chris Sterling 656-7927  
Communications Officer 1st Lt Jackie Levi 656-3420 blevi@bc.sympatico.ca
Marep Hydrographic P/Cdr Stephen Denroche 656-6177 ste.mar@home.com
Webmaster P/Cdr Glenn Gallins 656-4904 lawcentre@tnet.net
Social Cruise Captain 1st Lt Barry Levi 477-3702 blevi@bc.sympatico.ca
Student Cruise Captain 1st Lt Martin Pepper pgr388-1727 mlpepper@home.com
P.R. & Entertainment Officer 1st Lt Gay Miller 656-5190 ctime@telus.net
Port Captain 1st Lt Gay Miller 656-5190 ctime@telus.net
Environment Officer 1st Lt George Winn 472-2219 gcwinn@home.com
Archivist (Temp) P/Cdr Giles Perodeau 656-4525 gilesperodeau@home.com
Auditor ***** Brenna Litwack 656-0084 blitwack@islandnet.com
********************** ****** ************** ********** ********************

Meetings of the Bridge will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 1930 in the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, except July and December. All members are welcome to attend. If you wish to submit material for publication in The Beacon, the material should be delivered to the Editor by the 15th of the preceding month. The Beacon will also be published on the Squadron website at http://www.islandnet.com/~cps-sps


Beacon Dec, Page 2

Commanders Comments

NOW BACK FROM A FASCINATING BUT HECTIC TOUR OF CHINA (MORE ON CHINA IN THE NEXT ISSUE) THE EDITOR INSISTS ON A FULL SET OF COMMENTS TO MAKE UP FOR THEIR ABSENCE LAST MONTH.

FIRST, THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY- MARK YOUR CALENDARS ON 2 DECEMBER, CHRISTMAS PARTY, DANCING, GOOD FOOD, GOOD COMPANY , AND NO SPEECHES! SEE YOU THERE!

THE NEW 2001 TRAINING SEASON STARTS WITH A BANG ON 9 JANUARY, WITH WEATHER

MARINE MAINTENANCE, PILOTING AND GPS TO FOLLOW - SEE DETAILS ON PAGE 18.

SOME 22 STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COURSE STUDENT CRUISE ON SUNDAY, 5 NOVEMBER, NAVIGATING A RATHER CONVOLUTED COURSE TO OTTER BAY. ALL ARRIVED SAFELY, IN TIME FOR LUNCH, FIRE-FIGHTING TRAINING, FLARE SHOOTING, AND WATCHED DISTRICT COMMANDER KEN CLARKE PROVIDE AN EXEMPLARY DEMONSTRATION OF DOCKING AND UNDOCKING! MANY THANKS TO OUR STUDENT CRUISE CAPTAIN, MARTIN PEPPER, FOR ORGANIZING SUCH A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

THE SQUADRON'S THANKS ALSO GO TO BARRY AND JACKIE LEVI FOR ORGANIZING A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL CRUISE SEASON, WHICH ACTUALLY ENDS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AT OTTER BAY - AN ANNUAL EVENT.

THANKS ALSO TO BARBARA BOND, OUR YOUTH TRAINING OFFICER, FOR HER TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE ARTICLE IN THE OCTOBER "BEACON" ON "HOW TO BE AN EXCELLENT CREW MEMBER" - A USEFUL REMINDER TO ALL OF US, BARBARA!

FINALLY, THE SQUADRON BADLY NEEDS MORE INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH THE BOATING COURSE AND SOME OF THE OTHER COURSES IN THE CPS CURRICULUM. THE SQUADRON WILL HAPPILY ARRANGE TRAINING IN INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SKILLS--ALL THAT IS NEEDED ARE MEMBERS WHO ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE THE TIME NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE TEACHING SKILLS ( IF THEY DO NOT ALREADY POSSESS THEM ) AND TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE TRAINING STAFF.

REMEMBER, TEACHING AND PRACTICING SAFE BOATING IS THE SOLE REASON FOR THE EXISTENCE OF THE CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRON!

Ken Reeves


Page 4

TO TEACH OR NOT TO TEACH

The principal reason for the existence of the Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons (CPSS) is to provide basic and advanced instruction in the safe and prudent use, navigation and maintenance of pleasure craft. This "calling" for the CPSS is worthy, realistic and much needed, as is sadly illustrated by one unnecessary boating tragedy after another. All other CPSS activities and goals directly or indirectly support the principal role of instruction. Our overall objective is to raise the level of knowledge and safety awareness of boaters on the water.

Our Squadron is one of, if not the largest, on the Island, and we have lots of dedicated members serving on the Bridge and behind the scenes to further the objectives of the Squadron. Sadly, our greatest lack of willing resources is instructors…..an insufficiency that is incompatible with our clearly defined principal role in life! Our Squadron is replete with boaters who have considerable experience and skills in both power and sail…..experience that will go a long way toward enhancing the various levels of instruction we undertake in our basic and advanced courses. I happen to believe that our basic Boating Course is the most important course we teach. Why? Because this is the first CPSS course to which uninitiated members of the public are exposed, and it is our one chance to win or lose them. Ideally, we can "sell ourselves" and captivate their longer term interest in safe boating, membership and the ensuing opportunities for more advanced boating education. If we fail to win them over on the Boating Course, we have for all intents and purposes lost them, and they join that portion of the boating population with no further interest in formally honing the skills and knowledge acquired as a result of the Boating Course.

My principal goal as Chief Instructor is therefore to "light a candle" under Squadron members and encourage significantly greater member interest and participation in teaching the Boating Course. Some members are intimidated by speaking in public, but we have many who are obviously not! Some are confident boaters but don't feel so confident about getting up and lecturing on the subject, for lectures. CONTINUED ON PG. 5


Page 5

Continued from p 4) Others just don't have or want to give the time it takes to prepare for lectures. Initially, lecture preparation in an onerous, time consuming task. But it gets much shorter with experience if you stick with it. Confidence in lecturing in front of a class also grows with time. Every instructor has to start somewhere! Ideally, we would have enough instructors to eventually have two instructors co-teaching each Boating Course, a method that Ted Meadley and I have used with great success and enjoyment, and a method that has reduced the workload for each of us.

I am convinced we have the talent in-house to come up with several more good Boating Course instructors. Why not start now by volunteering as a Proctor for one or more Boating Courses. It is a wonderful way to refresh your memory of that Boating Course you took in the past, and to update yourself on what is currently being taught. Try teaching one lecture of your choice during a Boating Course, or hopefully more if you are so inclined. I will be only too happy to guide you in your lecture preparation and to offer constructive suggestions to you after the lecture so you can feel more at ease next time. Don't be intimidated by how you think I or someone else instructs. This is not a competition! Each instructor has his or her own style. The objective is to maintain the students' interest, to reinforce or enhance what they have already learned by pre-reading the notes for a particular lecture, and, believe it or not, to enjoy what you are doing! Take my word for it…..instructing can be a very rewarding experience.

I encourage all members to give serious thought to instructing on our Boating Course. The District offers Instructional Technique Courses. For my part, I would be only too happy to give a short talk one evening early in the new year to members interested in trying their hand at instructing. Amongst other things, I'll cover the process I went through to create my instructing notes (instructors don't read from the student notes - the students have already done that!); I'll discuss how I decide on useful training aids, and where I think vu-graphs (overhead slides) are appropriate or where a blackboard drawing might be better. I'll bring in other instructors willing to offer their suggestions. You can then decide for yourself what works best for you, and modify that with personal hands-on experience. Please call me if you're interested. I'll keep a list of names and notify you when I am able to arrange a


Page 6

Sidney Maritime History

In the 1880's, the only means of marine transport was the Esquimalt and Nanaimo's ship "Label", which left Victoria every Tuesday morning for Comox. The 140 mile, two-day trip had stops at Sidney and Nanaimo. The inauguration of the Victoria and Sidney (V&S) Railway in 1894 provided citizens of Victoria with a faster route to the Gulf Islands and Nanaimo through connections made at Sidney. The Sidney and Nanaimo Navigation Company's Steamers "Unecan" and "Strathcona" (a stern wheeler replaced later by the "Iroquois") connected travelers to points further north.

The "Iroquois" was built in 1901 for T.W. Paterson (later to become Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia). The "Iroquois" and her sister ship, the "Sechelt", operated to the spring of 1911, when, within a period of three weeks, both sank, with great loss of life.

In November, 1900, the newly created Victoria Terminal Railway and Ferry Company took control of the V&S as part of a planned rail-ferry route to the mainland. The S.S. "Georgian" began the run the following year. In 1902, the Victoria Terminal Railway and Ferry Company was taken over by the Great Northern Railway, which placed the S.S. "Victorian" on the route from Sidney to Port Guichon, located on the Fraser River. The "Victorian" operated on the run until 1904.

The Canadian Northern Pacific railway inaugurated a new Gulf Island service in January 1912 from Sidney , using the steamer S.S. "Joan" and in 1914 the S.S. "Queen City" took over the service. In 1914, the Great Northern Pacific Railway constructed a new ferry slip facing south into Bazan Bay - now the Washington State Ferry terminal.

The Washington State Ferries Service started the Sidney-Anacortes run in 1922 with the Harvester King pictured above. The Sidney Terminal was located on the wharf at the foot of Beacon Avenue.

The S.S. "Motor Princess" was operated by the Canadian Navigation Company from 1923 to 1926 on the Sidney-Bellingham, Washington route. In 1929, she was moved to the new Steveston-Sidney route, establishing the first all-Canadian car ferry service between Sidney and the Canadian mainland.


Page 7

Sidney Maritime History (Continued from page 6)

From 1930 to 1966, she was the link between Salt Spring Island and the Saanich Peninsula .Today, a century later, Sidney is still the doorway to Anacortes and the American mainland, while the B.C. Ferries at Swartz Bay provides service to the Gulf Islands and the Canadian Mainland.

Consider being a tourist in your own town and support our Sidney museums. The marine museum is located at the foot of Beacon Ave. and the new Sidney Historical is located in the Old Sidney Post Office building. Say hello to Peter Garnham a most enthusiastic and friendly museum director. Or visit the museums web site at http://www.town.sidney.bc.ca/museum

A politician is a person

Who can make waves and

Then make you think he's the only

One who can save the ship.


Page 8

Beacon Boating Classifieds

Looking for:

Used railroad ties or similar material to boarder flower beds.

Also small rocks suitable for driveway material.

If possible, will pick-up in exchange for cost.

Call Heather at 656-8101 or mlpepper@home.com

Attention Members!! A new service offered by CPS list boats for sale, boats wanted, items for sale and items wanted. Try it!! There is a terrific potential here and a service to all our Members! You MUST be a CPS member-subscriber to list a boat.

Web site: http://www.cps-esp.org/webboard/$webb.exe/~public

Cleaning out the boathouse or basement? Found some nautical treasures that another boater can use. Take advantage of The Beacon's economical advertising and call or e-mail your editor to place your FREE ad.

Keep Us Informed

If you change your address, buy, sell or trade your boat please advise our membership officer so that our records can be kept up to date.

Membership Officer - Diana McBratney

Phone - 656- 4590

E-mail - dianam@uvic.ca


Page 9

Happy Appy's

HOT SPIRITED DRINKS

Nothing so fortifies warm friendships on a bleak afternoon or makes cozy gatherings cozier than a 'cup' of something strong and steaming. Remember that alcohol vaporizes at 172 F so don't over heat your hot spirited drinks-- do, however, serve them in suitably warm heavy mugs or glasses. Place a spoon in the glasses when adding hot liquid to avoid breakage.

HOT SHERRY EGG NOG

1 1/2 milk----------------------------------------scald in double broiler

2 T sugar beat together, then stir in a

2 egg yolks little milk--return to double broiler

Pinch nutmeg, cinnamon and cook.

5 oz sherry stir in slowly and serve hot

Editor's Christmas morning dish. (aka: Christmas Wife Saver.)

This dish is great for the busy season as it can be made the night before and baked while the morning activities are underway.

In a 9x13 buttered glass dish arrange eight pieces of bread with the crusts removed. Cover the dish entirely, layer pieces of ham over bread. Sprinkle a layer of Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Layer again with bread making like a sandwich. In a bowl beat three cups of milk, six eggs, salt, and pepper, 1/2 tsp. Dry mustard, 1/4 cup minced onion, 1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper, 3 tsp. Worchestershire Sauce, dash tobascco. Pour mixture over sandwiches cover and let stand in fridge overnight. In the morning melt 1/4 lb of butter, pour overtop, and sprinkle with Special K. Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350 F. Let Stand 10 min before serving.


Middle insert

Beacon Book Review

Some interesting new releases which would be welcomed under the

Christmas tree include: Using PC's on Board, a newly published guide by

Rob Buttress & Tim Thornton ($29.95); The Best Tips from Women

Aboard, edited by Maria Russell ($29.95) and The Illustrated Longitude

which expands Dava Sobel's wonderful little paperback Longitude. Off

shore sailors will find the just released new edition of Heavy Weather Tac

tics Using Sea Anchors & Drogues (Earl Hinz $31.95) of interest. Steve &

Linda Dashew have a new book Surviving the Storm: Coastal & Offshore

Tactics($111.95). Ports and Passes 2001 is now available as are the 2001

Canadian Tide and Current Tables (with a great new cover!). Dale Peter

sen, the author of Day by Day to Alaska: Queen Charlotte Islands and around Vancouver Island just dropped off copies of his new book.

Come and visit us a Compass Rose and we'll help you make selections for

all those special people on your list.

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Sidney News and Views

Sidney's newest sculpture is "The Old Sailor" taking up permanent resistance on the South side of Beacon Ave. Artist Nathan Scott has created this fitting piece which enhances the marine atmosphere of Sidney By The Sea. The Sailor, is dressed in sou'esters and resembles Scott's grandfather. Take an afternoon stroll and walk off that turkey dinner along Sidney's waterfront and visit the other sculpted fisherman at the pier on Bevan. Thank-you Mr. Scott for your for you talented contributions to Sidney.

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Saanich Marine Rescue Society

Saanich Marine Rescue Society is a registered non-profit organization that provides safety initiatives and rescue services from three society - owned vessels located in Brentwood Bay, Pat Bay, and Sidney.

Rescue personnel are trained non-paid volunteers who are on call 24 hrs a day 365 days a year.

The society's vessels and related operations are paid for by donations of cash and services from the citizens and businesses of the Saanich Peninsula.

Consider donating to the Saanich Marine Rescue Society on behalf of a loved one as a Christmas present.


Page 12

Coming events

NO BRIDGE MEETING THIS MONTH. (DECEMBER)

DEC 31 - JAN 1 Otter Bay, North Pender Island.

New Year's Eve bash! Register now for this most popular annual cruise of the season.

Contact Barry Levi @ 656-3420 or blevi@telus.net for more info, reservations etc.

Looking Ahead - 2001

JAN 15 - Graduation night is at the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club. Come out and support the class of students who will have completed their basic Boating Course in December. Not too much talk -- good food and companionship.

JAN 18-- Bridge meeting at SNSYC 1930 hrs. All members welcome to attend.

FEB 3&4 - Boat Show at Pearkes Arena Victoria.

MAY 11~13 - District AGM at the Holiday Inn on Blanshard St.


Page 13

CRUISING 2000

THERE WAS GREATER ANTICIPATION TO THIS SUMMER CRUISE AS IT WAS RETIREMENT YEAR! DEV'S COURAGE , OUR 36' G.B. TRAWLER, MARCIA AND I WERE READY FOR A NEW CONCEPT IN BOATING FOR US- WE HAD NO RETURN DATE.

THERE WERE MANY EXCITING AND HAPPY OCCURRENCES- TOO MANY TO MENTION HERE, HOWEVER SOME OF OUR "NOTABLE MOMENTS" WERE AMONG THESE.

WHILE ANCHORED IN BOHO BAY, LISQUITI IS. WE OBSERVED A COMMOTION IN THE WATER NEAR A ROCKY ISLET. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION AN ADULT EAGLE WAS HAVING LITTLE SUCCESS IN GETTING A LARGE LIVELY CODFISH ASHORE. A LARGER MATE CAME TO THE RESCUE AND MANAGED TO DRAG THE MONSTER ASHORE WITH CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTY OWING TO THE LEVEL OF RESISTANCE BY ONE VERY LIVELY FISH. OUR REAL INTEREST IN THIS SCENARIO WAS A SINGLE OYSTER CATCHER RELENTLESS IN ATTACKING THE TWO EAGLES. THIS MUCH SMALLER BIRD WAS VOCIFEROUS IN ITS PROTESTATIONS. IT WOULD LAND REPEATEDLY ON THE EAGLES BACKS AND PECK AT THEIR HEADS WITH ITS LONG RED BEAK. WHY WOULD AN OYSTER CATCHER CARRY ON IN THIS FASHION? PERHAPS THEIR YOUNG OR A NEST WERE NEAR BY.

WE WERE ANCHORED BEHIND THE SUSAN ISLETS, LANCELOT INLET ON A CLEAR , CALM DAY . MARCIA WAS IN THE CABIN AND MYSELF ON THE BRIDGE. A LARGE GREAT BLUE HERON, APPROACHED THE OPEN CABIN DOOR AND HOVERED WITHIN SIX FEET OF THE DOOR. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A HERON HOVER? IT REALLY DOES ACCENT THE PRE HISTORIC NATURE OF THIS MAJESTIC BIRD. THE BIRD THEN CIRCLED OVER THE BOAT IN THIS AWKWARD MANNER AND LANDED ON THE OUTBOARD MOTOR OF THE DINGY AFT THE BOAT. WE CARRIED ON A CONVERSATION AT WHICH TIME HE/SHE REALIZED THERE WERE NO FISHY HANDOUTS. TWO OTHER BOATS IN THE ANCHORAGE WERE GIVEN THE SAME CIRCLING/HOVERING TREATMENT. IT WOULD APPEAR THIS BIRD HAD BEEN SOCIALIZED WITH HUMANS WHEN YOUNG.

ON A MAGIC DAY , SURROUNDED BY WILDERNESS, A BLUE SKY, CALM CLEAR WATER AND BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, OURSELVES AND A TRAVELING COMPANION BOAT WERE IN TRIBUNE CHANNEL AT THE MOUTH OF THOMPSON SOUND. WE ENCOUNTERED A HUMPBACK WHALE AND HER CALF. WE DRIFTED FOR A HALF HOUR WHILE MOM CAVORTED AROUND HER CHILD. THE YOUNG ONE SIMPLY SWAM ABOUT LAZILY OCCASIONALLY GIVING SMALL SPOUTS. MOM WAS A SHOW WORTH PAYING FOR. SHE SPY HOPPED , BEAT THE WATER WITH HER LARGE FIN AND BLEW HUGE SPOUTS. WE CONCLUDED IT WAS A CELEBRATION FOR OUR EYES ONLY!

(Continued on page 14)


Page 14

Cruising 2000 (Continued form page 13)

WE CARRIED ON INTO THOMPSON SOUND AND EXPERIENCED ONE OF THE MOST AWE INSPIRING NATURAL EVENT I BELIEVE WE WILL EVER SEE. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF PINK SALMON WAITING FOR HIGH TIDE AND RAIN TO GO UP THE RIVER AND SPAWN. WE WOULD PUT THE BOAT IN GEAR AND THEN OUT OF GEAR, SIMPLY ALLOWING THE BOAT TO GLIDE FORWARD SO WE WOULD NOT DAMAGE THE FISH LINED UP LIKE SOLDIERS WAITING TO DO BATTLE. THEY WOULD PART TO LET US THROUGH. IF THEY WOULD STAY STILL ONE COULD WALK ASHORE ON THEIR BACKS IN ANY DIRECTION. AS WE NEARED THE RIVER DELTA THERE WERE MANY LARGER FISH - EVIDENCE THAT THE STRONG GENES WOULD PREVAIL. A FISHERIES OFFICER ADVISED US THIS WAS THE LARGEST PINK SALMON RUN IN OVER 20 YEARS. TO CONTEMPLATE THE STRUGGLE THESE FISH GO THROUGH WHILE IN THEIR MIDST AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME WAS INDEED A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE.

WE CAN HARDLY CONTAIN OURSELVES UNTIL NEXT YEARS CRUISE.

JIM AND MARCIA PETERS<

DEV'S COURAGE"

It is when you are safe at home that you wish that you were having an adventure. When you are having an adventure you wish you were safe at home!

~Thornton Wilder.


Page 15

Aids To Memory in Four Verses

(After Thomas Gray)

Two Steamships Meeting

When both Lights you see ahead, Starboard wheel and show your Red

Two Steamships Passing

Green to Green--or Red to Red, Perfect Safety--go ahead.

Two Steamships Crossing

If to your Starboard Red appear It is your duty to keep clear;

To act as judgment says is proper

To Starboard--or Port--Back--or stop her.

But when upon your Port is seen

A Steamer's Starboard Light of Green,

There's not so much for you to do,

For Green to Port keeps clear of you.

All Ships must keep a lookout and Steamships

Must Stop and go Astern if necessary.

Both in safety and in doubt Always keep a good lookout.

In danger with no room to turn, Ease her--Stop her--go Astern.


Page 16

Rules of The Road for Sailing Ships

This was taken from my father-in-law's Manual of Seamanship (1937- Vol 1) He was a Master Mariner.

And so no hard feelings are held by our sailing friends, this is for them.

(By a Naval Officer)

Are no use in a Sailing Boat.

As we're dependent on the Wind

Another set of Rules we find.

A "close-hauled" ship you'll Never see

Give way to one that's "running free".

It's easier running free to steer

And that's the reason she keeps clear.

With wind the same side, running free,

One's to Windward, one's to Lee.

The Leeward ship goes straight ahead,

The other alters course instead.

Both "close-hauled" or both quite "free"

On Different Tacks, we all agree,

The ship that has the wind to Port

Must keep well clear, is what we're taught.

At other times the altering craft

Is that which has the wind right aft.

Hope you enjoy this

Gay Miller

Charlottle Time


Page 17

Origins of the Compass Rose Symbology
By Bill Thoen (Info extracted from CPS Prim line)

The compass rose has appeared on charts and maps since the 1300's
when the portolan charts first made their appearance. The term
"rose" comes from the figure's compass points resembling the petals of
the well-known flower.

Originally, this device was used to indicate the directions of the
winds (and it was then known as a wind rose), but the 32 points of
the compass rose come from the directions of the eight major winds,
the eight half-winds and the sixteen quarter-winds.

In the Middle Ages, the names of the winds were commonly known
throughout the Mediterranean countries as tramontana (N), greco
(NE), levante (E), siroco (SE), ostro (S), libeccio (SW), ponente (W) and
maestro (NW). On portolan
charts you can see the
initials of these winds labeled around the edge as T, G, L, S, O, L, P,
and M.

The 32 points are therefore simple bisections of the the
compass".directions of the four winds (but the Chinese divided the
compass into 12 major directions based on the signs of the Zodiac).
For western apprentice seamen, one of the first things they had to
know was the names of the points. Naming them all off perfectly was
known as "boxing the compass".

There is no absolute standard for drafting a compass rose, and each
school of cartographers seems to have developed its own. In the
earliest charts, north is indicated by a spearhead above the letter T
(for tramontana). This symbol evolved into a fleur-de-lys around
the time of Columbus, and was first seen on Portuguese maps. Also in
the 14th century, the L (for levante) on the east side of the rose was
replaced with a cross, indicating the direction to Paradise (long
thought to be in the east), or at least to where Christ was born (in the
Levant).


Page 18

From The Editor

Thank-you for the numerous contributions that members have e-mailed or written to me for this issue of the Beacon. Perhaps over the winter more will consider a story or article to share with our membership. I would like to thank the special person who took a moment of his time to phone me and express thanks for my efforts. You made my day and have encouraged me to keep at it. Bouquets of thanks to my daughter Kim for her time and computer skills. Joyous Greetings and best wishes for the New Year 2001.


Page 19

Membership news

We welcome Dr. Terry Huberts who has rejoined our squadron after an absence of a number of years.

Congratulations Jean-Richard Rene who has taken up Associate Regular membership within our organization.

Change of boat:

Peter and Gurli Wolfe now have a P37, Escalante II

Member news

Congratulations to Karel Doruyter, Registered Marine Surveyor, who has recently published a book: Sailboat Buyer's Guide - Conducting Your Own Survey. "Make your search for a new boat an informed experience! … tells you what to know before you buy. A pro's checklist of technical tips and common sense." Available locally for $16.95.

"Left Washington in rain, found sunshine east of mountains, the roads were good all the way. We spent 10 days in Casper WY and froze our buns in minus 12 to minus 18 F with snow. The state of Texas varies from very flat where you can see for miles to deep valleys that remind one of Drumheller badlands or a miniature Grand Canyon complete with beautiful outcroppings of multicolored rock. The trees are different, having small leaves to conserve moisture and stand not too tall! We are in a park that covers 26 acres, has 2 swimming pools, a hot tub, 3 tennis courts, a well equipped exercise room, shuffleboard courts, horse shoes, pentangue courts, nice club house, and laundry facilities. The grounds are covered in orange and grapefruit trees. Weather has been very warm, in the 80'sF. Next time we'll talk about our trip to Mexico.
Y'all have a good day, y'all heah!!
Bob & Mo
Dorian 1"


Page 20

TIME AND LONGITUDE

Jim Dawson JN
Lake St. Louis Sqn.

The Wheelhouse

Finding Latitude at sea was not difficult for the early mariner. The
typical method of ocean voyaging once meant sailing north or south
to a given latitude, sailing along that parallel of latitude
measuring distance by dead reckoning, and then sailing north or
south to the latitude of the port of destination. The navigator could,
for instance use the Pole Star and measure its altitude and thus have
a good idea of his Latitude. But the accurate determination of
Longitude was a horse of an entirely different colour. The mariner
needed - and did not have - a method for determining accurate
time on board his ship.

But early clocks were not accurate at all. They ran fast or slow
according to the tension in the springs, for instance. They responded
badly to shifts in temperature. The movement of a ship effected
them. In an age when a sea voyage could last several months and
take the mariner through a number of very different climates, the
practical clock did not exist until 1761 which could provide time
sufficiently accurately to help the mariner find his longitude.

"The Board of Longitude" was established in 1714 in England and
offered a huge award of 10,000 pounds to the person who could
devise a method for finding longitude accurate to one degree, and
the amount went up from there if the accuracy were better! No less
that 30,000 pounds would be given for a method accurate to 0.5
degrees, or 30 nautical miles. The "method" clearly had to involve a
way of keeping accurate time, and since this was the first (and
hardest!) step, a number of clock makers tackled the problem.
Among them, John Harrison, the son of a carpenter, started work on
the project in 1728. By 1735, he finished his first clock and brought it
to the admiralty.

CONTINUED IN NEXT ISSUE- - FEBRUARY 2001

 

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