Friday 15 January 1999
As of 0800 this morning, the Empire State was located at 21 degrees 13 minutes North latitude, 073 degrees 37 minutes West longitude. That puts her approximately 5 nautical miles northwest of Great Inagua Island. She is heading 243 degrees true, (SE) doing 11 knots. The depth of water under the keel is 2019 fathoms. The weather at her position is partly cloudy, wind out of the East @ 5kts, sea state 1 (2 feet), air temp 80 degrees F, water temp 80 degrees F. Barometric pressure 1019 millibars.
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
Last night was pay back for the rough seas and weather that accompanied us to the Caribbean. 82 balmy degrees with a light easterly breeze. It resembled the first warm day of early spring, when everyone comes out to soak up the warmth of the sun. Some cadets played basketball, others simply kicked back on deck to read, converse, and enjoy the wonderful meteorological respite from the harshness of winter. Now, while all on board clearly appreciate the great weather, they would prefer the cold and snow of home to the rigors of Sea Term training. That is not say, of course, that we aren't happy with 82 degree days and gentle winds. Clearly, a wonderful if minor, fringe benefit of the job.
We track the weather in New England with great interest and we know that it is very cold and miserable. Often I hear comments like,"Hey, it's freezing back home - good! We're nice and warm." The topic quickly becomes a source of sick humor but we don't really mean it.
Not all is relaxation, though. The labs were alive last evening as cadets took advantage of their off time and warm weather to get ahead on sea term projects. Upon leaving the area of Crooked Island, we diverted slightly to the east to pass Hogsty Reef, which is located northwest of Great Inagua Island. One of our training officers was helping a cadet interpret the Sailing Directions, books which describe the ports and navigational hazards throughout the world. Hogsty Reef is noted as having a visible shipwreck on it ...and sure enough, there it was. From the distance, it looked just like any fully operational ship moving slowly through the water. However, as we neared the reef the stark reality became readily apparent. The once proud freighter was reduced to a rusted, forlorn hulk.
The reef has also become the final resting place for two additional vessels not listed in the publication. It is also a dramatic, real life, navigational training aid. The other two wrecks bear testament to unfortunate mariners who failed to heed the Sailing Directions. The sight was rather chilling; a grim reminder to be extra careful.
We are making preparation for entering Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and despite the fact that we are planning very little in the way of entertainment, the cadets are excited. My guess is that many will sleep very little tonight.