Captain's Log for Thursday, 27 January 2000
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As of 0700 Eastern Standard time, 1200 GMT and 1400 ship time, the Empire State was enroute to Piraeus, Greece and located at 35 degrees 35 minutes North Latitude, 23 degrees 08 minutes East Longitude. We were steering a course of 090 degrees making good a speed of 13 kts. That puts the ship approximately 60 miles due west of the island of Crete. The weather was partly cloudy, winds out of the north northeast at 4 knots. Seas are only 3 to 4 feet and the ship is riding comfortably. The air temp is 45 degrees and the sea temp is 61 degrees. Barometric pressure is 1026 millibars of mercury and slightly rising. Depth of water under the keel: 1200 Meters. CAPTAIN'S LOG In yesterday's Log I wrote of time changes and gloomy weather and the halfway point of the trip and I casually linked these events to the ship's subjective frame of mind. They are clearly connected and anyone with people skills knows that morale and behavior are heavily influenced by the abstract. I perceived a subtle downward shift in the Cadet collective disposition and attributed it to the "Gods". Not a bad policy in this mythological oriented part of the world, but somewhat incorrect. Upon closer review I realized that morale isn't going south, the Cadets are simply tired. Why are they tired? You may ask. Well, let me begin by saying that when I write the Captain's Log, I illustrate specific milestones or events that are both informative and somewhat entertaining. I quickly describe pixels of daily life at sea. From them, one could readily infer that most Cadets are immersed in a restful Mediterranean "Cruise". One might imagine them lounging on the rail, preoccupied with the sights of the beautiful North African Coast or convened about the Bridge engrossed in deep philosophical discussion. That would be wrong. Oh, there are numerous "kodak moments" in any given day. But generally speaking, the schedule is absolutely relentless and we never miss fortutitous opportunities to inject additional chances to excel. The most lenient daily agenda is approximately fifteen hours in length, beginning with morning stars at 0500 and continuing until after evening inspections at 1900. I cram the daylight hours with classes, work, inspection, and study. The Cadets cram the night with showers, laundry, movies and if they are very efficient, sleep. The mystery is solved. The Cadets aren't moody, they are tired... By the gods... where is Athena when you need her? Maybe she will meet us in Piraeus and ply us with wisdom... before we sit back and take a break... See you tomorrow from Piraeus, Greece. QUESTIONS FOR FRIDAY 28 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: The cadets will soon be heading off to Barcelona, Spain. Spain is located in Southwestern Europe. What Bay does it border? What ocean. And what sea? SCIENCE: 70 percent of the earth is covered by the ocean. Much of the ocean is very deep. How can life live at such deep depths when there is so much pressure and no sunlight? HISTORY: Spain was a powerful world empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, Spain ultimately yielded command of the seas to England, beginning with the defeat of the Spanish Armada. In what year did this defeat take place? MATH: Cadet Philpott budgeted half of his sea term money for Barcelona, Spain. 1/4 for gifts in Funchal, Madeira. And 1/6 for expenses on the Rock of Gibraltar. He saved the remaining $80.00 for Greece. How much money did Cadet Philpott take on the Sea Term? ANSWERS FOR THURSDAY 27 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: The Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. SCIENCE: The words ocean and sea are used interchangeably, yet a sea is a body of water that is much smaller than an ocean. HISTORY: Alexander the Great MATH: 86%
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