Captain's Log for Monday, 24 January 2000
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As of 0800 Eastern Standard time, 1300 GMT and 1400 ship time, the Empire State was enroute to Piraeus, Greece and located at 36 degrees 50 minutes North Latitude, Zero degrees 53 minutes East Longitude. We have just passed the Prime Meridian (the beginning point for all longitude measurements) that passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. We now move into the relm of "EAST" longitude reports. We are steering a course of 080 degrees making good a speed of 16 kts. The weather was partly cloudy, winds light out of the east southeast. Seas are only 3 to 6 feet and the ship is riding comfortably. The air temp is 57 degrees and the sea temp is 58 degrees. Barometric pressure is 1018 millibars of mercury and falling slowly. Depth of water under the keel: 2,712 meters. CAPTAIN'S LOG We're busy today as we set off from Gibraltar to Piraeus, Greece. All hands "turned to" the lifeboat qualifications for the last three days. As a result, routine ship's work was posponed until today. With only five days until we dock in Greece, the officers, cadets and crew are spiffing up the decks and spaces in anticipation of a visit from the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, the Honorable Nicholas Burns, and a host of other dignitaries. We are hosting receptions aboard for high Greek Government officials and for Greek young people, all to expose our cadets to the Greek people, their milleniums of culture, and their shipping business. I've asked one of our crewmembers to ghost write for me today so I can get back to work. I hope you like it. Guest Captain's Log Today's log was written by Ms. Dorothy Barrows, the secretary for the Commandant's Department. Dorothy is on her second cruise with us, and it would appear the sea has quickly begun flowing through her veins. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT BEING AT SEA There is something about being at sea. Terra firma offers an abundance of wonders to be admired. Being at sea, however, induces the senses to become more receptive and alert. The sun feels brighter, the clouds and stars seem nearer. Little things take on great importance at sea: sighting a dolphin, body illuminated by the luminescence in the sea; suddenly being dazzled by an especially beautiful cloud formation; or, as I look out and see only horizon, the thought of finding a secluded, sandy beach in the next port. There is something about being at sea. However elusive on land, the ability to get things into the proper perspective seems effortlessly clear when surrounded by ocean. The unabashed freedom of taking delight in simple things becomes more comfortable. There are times at sea that I am convinced the sun is setting or the moon in rising for my personal pleasure and candid indulgence. There is something about being at sea. With firm ground beneath my feet, time ticks away at a seemingly inexpensive pace. With a steel deck between my feet and the ocean, time progresses at a distinctively more valuable velocity. No time for excuses. If something needs to be done out here-it get done! No time for poor judgement. The potential for disaster is ever present! No time for "attitude". We are shipmates and we are in this together. There is something about being at sea I personally find it irresistible. Perhaps it is the straightforward clarity of life at sea that appeals to me and continues to beckon me. This much I can say with certainty: I have yet to sail, cruise, take a boat ride, or work a Sea Term, without learning an important lesson or gaining a previously obscured insight. There is just something about being at sea. ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF CADET 4/C DEVALLES We entered into the Strait of Gibraltar early Friday morning, (beneath a lunar eclipse, believe it or not) and I was amazed to see different continents to port and starboard (Africa to the right and Europe to the left). Of course, all I really saw was sparkling lights on the shoreline; it was pitch black outside but I knew that the Pillars of Hercules were just a short distance out in the dartk. I was on my way to the dreaded scullery for my last day of dishwashing and pan scrubbing. My fellow scullery workers and I were certainly happy about that. Working long hours in the hot,wet,steam, between giant dishwashing machines, isn't much fun. But it is work that must be done and a shift or two teaches us to appreciate all that it takes to keep 500 hundred people alive and well fed out here. We tied up at the British Royal Navy Base, almost in downtown Gibraltar and only a short distance from main street. Since we were on their Navy Base everyone was extra careful to show their best military bearing just in case the British Navy was watching. (I know they were). I managed to enjoy one hour of liberty after work so my experiences were somewhat limited. But I still felt aware of Gibraltar's historical significance. I managed to take one picture just to prove that I was there and to verify that "The Rock," for all you Sean Connery fans, is actually mostly limestone. Gibraltar is a fascinating place: a mix of people, British culture, food, and elaborate history. Our visit also made it clear that my history classes were correct. The location at the entrance of the Mediterranean makes the "rock" significant in both trade and war. I wish we had more time to explore but I did learn one thing that books couldn't teach me. Gibraltar is also home to some special wild animals. Among them, "rock apes" that have actually learned to smoke cigarettes and drink beer. What will me see in Greece to top that? QUESTIONS FOR TUESDAY 25 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: The cadets will soon be visiting Piraeus, Greece. Piraeus is located in central Greece. On what gulf is it located? SCIENCE: During the Sea Term it is not uncommon for the cadets to see whales swimming past the ship. There are two primary kinds of whales. What is the name of the type of whale that feeds by filtering food from the water HISTORY: What Portuguese explorer was the first to sail completely around the globe? MATH: The Cadet of the Watch observes and records weather statistics hourly. The cadet reported the air temperature as 68 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the chief mate asked for the temperature to be reported in Celsius. How many degrees Celsius is 68 degrees Fahrenheit? ANSWERS FOR MONDAY 24 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: The Balearic Sea. SCIENCE: The gravitational attractions between the earth, sun, and moon. HISTORY: Vasco de Gama in 1497-1499 MATH: 2784 fathoms.
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