Today we have the last of the fresh food arriving, the last equipment to load and then we will be ready to go. Liberty will go for division 1 and 3 this afternoon, but in keeping with tradition, everyone will be back early. On nights before sailing, to ensure everyone is aboard and gets a good night's rest, liberty expires in accordance with the following schedule: 4/c 2100, 3/c 2200, 2/c 2300, and 1/c 2359.

On Saturday,the Captain will allow all cadets and crew, not actually on watch, to get off the ship for an hour or so. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided in the Cadet Dining Hall ashore. Unfortunately, visitors will not be allowed aboard ship. Everyone must be back aboard at 1000 for a check muster. Lines will begin coming in at 1100, tug boats will make up at 1130, and the ship should be underway at 1157. She will transit the canal going east, under the railroad bridge and the Bourne Bridge. Once in Cape Cod Bay, Empire State wil round the tip of Provincetown, travel down the backside of the Cape and head for southern waters.