Shipyard Raid
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Fly-out mini-gallery of Legs 1-3, 2006 (mouse-over the link "Raid 2006"):
Meet the 2006 Motherships:
Island Eagle, a 61' wooden motor yacht, was our main Mothership this year.
The 68' wooden schooner Martha was our support Mothership.
And the beautiful Tatiana was the official tow-boat. Many thanks, Motherships!
an introduction to the Raid
The Shipyard School Raid is an annual 7 day sailing
and rowing race for traditional small boats. From September 1st through 7th, 2006 the Raid raced from the Silva Bay Shipyard School on Gabriola Island, B.C., Canada
to the Wooden Boat Festival
at Port Townsend, Washington, USA.
The course of 145 km is through the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands, and across
the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
read more about the raid »»
2006 Raid Summary
September 18, 2006
The 2006 Shipyard Raid was a success, at least that's what everyone keeps telling me. The seas were calm, too calm perhaps, the racing was good, as was the food and the company, and all that started arrived safely in Port Townsend. This year's Raid can be typified as a year of songs and chants, epic sea battles, long hours of rowing in hot sun, great meals on the beach, and always someone enthusiastic and interesting to talk with.
The 2006 Raid was also typified by some notable individuals; Dan Pence rowing Conjure alone to second place, Barrett Faneuf sailing/rowing/reading Yuko to the finish at her own pace, and Ben Stevens in the forward seat of Mother Merry providing the horsepower for a win. Perhaps everyone's favorites were the two tight groups, the unquenchable Bears under the oversight of Kim and John, and the Terns, out on their own recognizance. We also had some impressive teams, Quill and Richard sailing Swordfish, Bill and Mary in Firefly, and Laingdon and Kees in Sparrow.
My congratulations to first place winners Ron and Ben in Mother Merry, Dan in Conjure with second, and third place Swordfish with Quill and Richard crewing. My thanks also to all the minders and mothers that make this thing possible, to Scott, Courtney, Terri, and James on the Island Eagle, to MB and everyone on Martha, to Rusty and Naomi on Tatiana, Adrian on Nimbus, and to Ted and crew on the Pearson.
It was, once again, an awesome adventure and a great pleasure to accompany you all, thanks.
Take care,
Tad
A Raid Chantey
by Bill Neal
Refrain:
Steady, steady, steady as she goes
Rowing to Port Townsend all the way from Gabriole
Though the tides be set against us, and the winds refuse to blow
We'll be rowing to Port Townsend all the way from Gabriole
Mother Merry takes the lead out every morning from the start
Fueled by Ben's dogged obedience, and vengence in Ron's heart
Stately Yuko brings the fleet up, with a certain savoir faire
Barrett's literary progress seems to be her only care.
Courtney's curry in our bellies, and his songs upon the air
As we sit along the driftwood on an island beach so fair
Then the stars come out above us, and the sea lulls us to sleep
Better get your night of rest, for we've a schedule to keep.
(Refrain)
[...]
Laingdon soon complained to Kees that his Sparrow was too slow
"We can't seem to keep up with Firefly unless both of us will row"
Barefoot Builders sailed Swordfish with a style none could match
When they took her up to windward with a speed we couldn't catch.
Now Ben and Tern break out the drum, and the Sea Scouts start to roar
Dan is pushing speedy Conjure, Sparrow's picking up the pace
Quill and Richard sweeping Swordfish toward the finish of the race.
(Refrain)
Copyright Bill Neal
