Well today was quite the day. Finally, 7 days and i was given the privilege of being cap'n of the fair lady Patricia J. I got to take the wheel and call the shots! (those of you who know me well know i don't mind taking charge lol ). So we woke up ate breakfast, and set sail from Little Harbour in Jost Van Dyke.
We traveled a southerly course, through the "Thatch Island Cut" (a passage between the west end of Tortola and the neighboring Great Thatch island) and then east through the Sir Francis Drake channel. Our first destination: the western most point of Salt Island to see the Wreck of the Rhone.
The story of the RMS Rhone goes like this. Way back in the 1800s it was a steam ship that carried mail for the Queen (Great Britain). In the 1860s there was a hurricane and they got trapped in the area. Apparently they were taking safe refuge in nearby Great Harbour on Peter Island. When the eye of the hurricane passed over and things got really calm they figured they better make a run for it to open water. (big mistake) They almost made it, but at the western most point of Salt Island they met with the hurricane and ship wrecked. Leaving quite an interesting dive.
Twas really cool, this ship was huge! There was this giant hull and this huge propeller and anchor that had all this choral growing on it. And wreckage was teeming with tropical fish swimming through it. The only down side….i forgot to charge my waterproof camera! So no pics that i can claim to have taken.. :( Well i guess ill have to rely on memories (and the internet) for this one.
After that we headed back west for Deadman's Bay on Peter Island (the harbour across from Dead Chest Island, the Island where Blackbeard left "16 men and a dead mans chest, yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum" No joke!). We dropped anchor in Deadman's Bay and MAN! this beach is so pretty. Coconut palms lining the whole thing! At least i got pics of that. We walked basically most of the beach and headed back onboard for dinner. Spaghetti and meat sauce, one of my personal faves! After that i just laid on the deck, listening to the waves crashing on the beach, looking up at the huge moon filling the starry night sky. This place is so peaceful. I'm sad to think that this will be my last night on board.
I guess its like the old saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." ….Well, at least in this system of things it does..…. ;)
Well all, it's been a wild 7 day journey, thanks for reading and becoming followers. Stay tuned for "The Voyages of Cap'n Gabe Part II: Journeys to Work, Home and the Dog Park! Starring first mate Tollie (my dog) Skipper Dick (step dad number 2) and yours truly!
lol!…. just kiddin..…. no im not
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