Weighing anchor is a complicated process on the Half Moon.  It requires the entire crew to complete very specific tasks.  Above, Justine and Hannah are faking the anchor rode (the rope or chain).  They are in the forward area of the ship, where the anchor rode enters the ship at the hawse hole.  From there it runs to the after deck, around the capstan four times, then back forward to be faked (or laid down in an orderly fashion) and made ready to be set again.

This view is looking forward from the capstan.  It is important that the coils do not cross over while on the capstan; tension must be kept throughout the entire process.  As the anchor is hauled up from the water, the anchor rode travels up one side of the orlop deck, around the capstan, and back down the other side to the fakers.

William works on the orlop deck to maintain tension on the anchor line as it comes around the capstan.  The capstan is what we use to weigh the anchor.

It takes a lot of manpower to operate the capstan from the weather deck.  The part of the capstan you see here is an extension from below deck, where the anchor rode is wrapped around the lower part of the capstan.  From this deck, the crew walks the capstan to haul the anchor in.

All orders to operate the capstan come from the Quarterdeck. 

It is vital that commands from the captain be relayed to the below deck crew.  Here, Tevon communicates those commands to the orlop deck.

Ms. Oosterloo communicates with the crew on the fore channel to make sure the anchor is properly secured once out of the water.

Deck wash!  Not only does it clean the ship, but the water helps to swell the wooden decks and keep the ship water tight.

Jared scrubs the deck and tries in vain to stay dry.

Nicole also works to keep the ship clean.

William is making a study of the aquatic plant life.  Here, he is breaking into a pod that he collected. 

Upon closer inspection, William determined that the seed pod had rotted.

Using the computer and a special microscope that allows us to take pictures, William and Ms. Davis conduct further research on the pod.

William takes a closer look at the contents of the pod using a microscope. He will document his findings with a written description of the plant, a drawing that shows all the elements of the plant (leaves, roots, stem, seeds, etc.), and a photograph.  This will form part of his research project.

Hannah mans the helm with confidence.  Quite a difference from the students' astonished reactions two days ago when told this would be part of their job.  The whipstaff runs through the deck to the head of the ship's tiller, which leads to the rudder.  By swinging the whipstaff, the rudder moves to steer the ship.

The view from the helm hatch is very limited.  Directions are given from the Quarterdeck to the helmsman to steer the ship safely.

Tevon works with Mr. Swartout on the mechanics of pulleys. Tevon has developed a research question about pulleys and their function on a ship and is carrying out the necessary experimentation to find the answer. 

Here, Tevon graphs notes some of his results.  His plan is to use this research to generate a graph showing how the number of pulleys has an effect on the amount of force needed.

Along with research projects and the day to day operation of the ship, the crew is responsible for maintenance on board.  Above, the crew works with sewing equipment to whip the lines.  This prevents the tails of the lines from unraveling.

Mr. Prime works with Samantha to sew a new canvas bucket for the ship.  These buckets are used for many tasks on board - hauling water, getting tools to the top, etc.

Justine works with Captain Reynolds to learn how to read navigational charts and plot lines of position, something every student will learn.  With this knowledge, each student will be capable of determining our location. 

The students conduct an experiment to determine the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.  This test uses a titration, a procedure consisting of several complicated steps, in order to ensure accurate results. 

Latitude  41^o 55.3'   Longitude 073^o  58.2'

At the entrance to Rondout Creek

We sailed from Newburgh Bay to Rondout Creek.  We will lay over in Rondout Creek to conduct studies for a full day.  This will permit time for the students to get intensive data sets for their work.  A weak cold front is predicted for tonight, based on our observations of mackerel sky and mare's tales (very high clouds that often precede the arrival of a cold front).  NOAA weather radio confirms that a cold front is on its way.  This portends a beautiful day on Sunday.

Mr. Mangrum at the very top of the fore deck mast, having just freed a snarled flag.

Two hands Mr. Mangrum!