Captain's Log for Monday, 17 January 2000
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At 0800 EST (0300 GMT) the T/S Empire State was moored starboard side to the pier in Funchal, Madeira, located at 32 degrees and 35 minutes North Latitude and 16 degrees 53 minutes West Longitude. She was receiving various services from the pier. The skies were clear with winds out of the west at 3 knots. Barometric pressure was 1020 millibars of mercury. The air temperature was 60 degrees and seawater was 65 degrees. CAPTAIN'S LOG 17 JANUARY 2000 After one perfect day in port, nearly two thirds of our cadets and crew have enjoyed liberty on the Island of Madeira. Yesterday, two coaches loaded with eager "Cadet tourists" departed T/S Empire State. This morning two more followed suit. Flying A Tours, none other than the Academy's own, LCDR Don Antonangeli of N. Falmouth, MA always comes through for the cadets and crew. Commander "A" as he is fondly referred to, has been preparing to make this stay as rewarding as possible since September. He contacted local travel agencies, golf courses, charter fishing boats, etc., and arranged the best deals possible. No sooner were we tied up than buses arrived. His hard work has proven beneficial to both our cadets and the local companies as well. Several of the planned excursions into the surrounding mountains were forced to detour because of the snowfall that I mentioned yesterday. The narrow roads, mostly devoid of guardrails, skirt the edges of cliffs, some as high as three thousand feet. Tour guides are understandably reluctant to traverse such narrow byways during periods of ice and snow, but such minor problems only add to the adventure. I have yet to hear complaint number one. I know that many, many young people in schools all across the Northeast are following our Millennium Sea Term voyage this year. Dr. Macolm MacGregor and three Junior MSEP Cadets are responsible for our worldwide classroom at sea and LCDR Pete Weiss of Hanson, Massachusetts supplies them with many of the statistics. Keep these in mind; we will use them later. Our total steaming (travel) time to Funchal, Madeira was 7 days, 17 hours and 24 minutes. Distance traveled was 2,931.7 nautical miles, average speed was 15.8 knots. We burned 3,146 barrels of fuel oil, which converts to a rather economical 1.073 barrels per mile or 45 gallons per mile. Not too bad to push nearly 16,000 tons around. QUESTIONS FOR 18 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: What is the Capital of Gibraltar? SCIENCE: The T/S Empire State weighs 17,160 tons fully loaded with cadets and provisions. Why does the ship float? HISTORY: Gibraltar has been besieged 15 times, the most famous being the Great Seige in 1779. How long did this seige last? MATH: The T/S Empire State is travelling at a speed of 15 knots. Disregarding the elements such as wind and current, how long will she take to travel 1500 nautical miles? ANSWERS FOR 17 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: The Strait of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean Sea, and the North Atlantic Ocean. SCIENCE: True. Most volcanic activity occurs on the ocean floor. HISTORY: The Romans; they named it Calpe. MATH: 2520 Nautical miles
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