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The River City Log |
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Volume8 Edition 8 January 2008 Published by and for the members and friends of Sonoma Flotilla, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. It is in no way intended to be Official Policy. It is intended only for information and entertainment. Address all comments to "cwich@sbcglobal.com" |
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Flotilla Meeting Flotilla 55 monthly meeting was call to order by F. C. R VanCleave at 1930 1 December in due form. After the pledge to our Flag and introduction of guests. The Commander recited his activities for the month and all correspondence. VFC Maxson received the Bridge reports. All old and new business was taken care of; with a reminder of the Flotilla Change of Watch @ Nigras 9 February 2008 in Occidental. Adjourned in Peace and Harmony until 8 January at the Petaluma Yacht.
Coming Attractions 3 Jan: BS&S Petaluma Yacht Club 8 Jan: Flt. 55 Monthly Meeting 20 Jan: Elected Officers Work Shop C G Isl. 25-27 Jan: N Train St. Louis Mo. 2 Feb: Staff Officers Work Shop C G Isl 9 Feb: COW Flt. 55 @Nigras Occidental 10 Feb: Reservations PCTF Classes ends 16-17 Feb: Past Captain’s Training Faire. C G Isl
Thought For The Day Experience is something you don’t get Until just after you need it.
Education The Education Department has found an able leader in FSO/PE Shirley Maxson. She prefers to be called “Shil“. She says Shirley takes to long to say and that she has no time to waste. In 2007, under Shirl’s guidance and 3 instructors 3 ABC classes were taught; 2 classes on GPS for Mariners/ Charts Reading in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Bodega Bay, and Lake Sonoma. In addition to classes the P E Department put on 5 seminars. 2 for West Marine in Santa Rosa re: safe boating and Ca. requirements. A seminar for the Santa Rosa Cruisers Club. A seminar for the Bodega Bay Boating/Sailing Club. And a seminar for Flotilla 55 re: America’s Waterway Watch. Tom Maxson and Will Sumner became Instructors to join Larry Kubo, Ray VanCleave, and of course Shirl herself. Well Done.
Another Job We have all heard “Just another day at the office” To the U S Coast Guard another day is routine. The Coasties are charged, among other things, to enforce the maritime laws of our United States. With the ocean covering so much of our planet and our ships sailing in so much of it; also our coast line being so long, the Coast Guard has a vast area to cover. Now with global warming that area is expanding. The Arctic Ocean has lost so much of it’s ice pack that cruise ships, as well as other vessels, are using it as freely as any other body of water. The C .G. is planning to establish a seasonal base in the Arctic Sea;. It will probably be near the most north town in the U. S. of Barrow Alaska. Initially, as well as being seasonal, it would be equipped for cold weather helicopter operations and several small boats. The base will be built with an eye for expansion for as global warming continues more and more ice will melt and more and more maritime traffic will occur. The Arctic has always been a place of mystery and site of the unknown. When Europeans came to realize that the American coast was not Cathy their search for a North West passage was blocked, in part, by the Arctic ice. The shipping of Scandinavian oil through the Arctic Sea to Asia will save 5,000 miles .Not to be sneezed at. The Coast Guard, as always, will be prepared to fill it’s mission of aid to the maritime public with this new station and the Arctic Sea it will be covering.
4th Corner Stone Thanks to Will Sumner his Mrs. and daughter A very festive open house was held on the 30th of December 2007 at his delightful home in Petaluma. The Hosts had a very bountiful feast of goodies to choose from; tastefully displayed to tempt any palate; and conversation to while away the day. . Thanks Will and family. Change Of Watch Sonoma County Flotilla 55 U S Coast Guard Auxiliary will be installing it’s 2008 Officers and Bridge on the 9th February at Nigras in Occidental. Come and meet your new Command.
Navigation 10 Sir John Franklin, an English explorer, was born in 1786. In 1819 through 1822 Franklin surveyed part of north west Canada east of the Coppermine River . He continued the survey from 1825 to 1827 from the mouth of the Mac Kenzie River. After this second voyage Franklin was knighted and served as Governor of Tasmania from 1836 until 1843. Sir John Franklin with two ships and 128 men in 1845 left England on a voyage to find the North West Passage where so many others had failed His ships were the Terror and Errbus. That first winter the ships became trapped in the ice and the explorers had to resort to cannibalism to survive from starvation and freezing. A small contingent from this expedition, without Sir John, may have reached Simpson Strait, the final part of the North West passage. The ships and men never returned from this third trip. There is reason to believe that after Sir John died in the stranded vessels the remain crew attempted to go south over land. This has never been proven as no word has ever been obtained as to the final days of the third Franklin Arctic Expedition James Rae, a Scottish explorer learned from the Eskimos at Pelly Bay that the Franklin expedition died of starvation and exposure. Lead from poorly sealed cans may have contributed to the fatalities. Ronald Amundsen, who was the first to sail the North West passage, was inspired to become an Arctic explorer after reading of Sir John Franklin’s voyages.
Sir Martin Frobisher: was born between 1535 and 1540, the fourth son of Bernard Frobisher of Yorkshire England. At an early age he was sent to London under the care of an Uncle, Sir John York. In 1544 the Uncle placed him on board a ship in a small fleet of merchantmen sailing to Guinea. Sir Martin was referred to as “Captain” in 1565. Frobisher made a resolution about 1560 that he would find the North West passage to Cathy. He spent 15 years trying to solicit funding for such a expedition. Finally the Earl of Warwick provided funds for the journey. Two tiny barks, the Gabriel and the Michael of 25 ton each and a pinnacle of 10 ton while a total crew of 35 were fitted out for a search for the elusive passage. They sailed from Blackwell, after a good word from Queen Elizabeth.- Stormy weather caused the loss of the pinnacle and soon after the Michael deserted. Frobisher in the Gabriel continue the voyage alone. The Gabriel sighted the coast of Labrador on the 28th of July and a few days later they entered a bay which Sir Martin named for himself, Frobisher Bay. Contrary winds and ice forced the expedition to sail up the new found Bay, still seeking the North West Passage. 18th August on Butcher’s Island they met with a group of Natives who decoyed 5 men ashore; never to be seen again. Sir Martin, after vainly attempting to recover his men sailed home, reaching there on the 19th October. “Black Earth” was among the items returned on the Gabriel which was reported to be gold ore. It never was proven to be gold; but did serve to arose interest in another expedition. The Queen offered the Aid from the Royal Navy and 1,000 pounds. A group of merchants formed the “Company of Cathy” Frobisher was appointed Admiral in command with orders to sail “anywhere but east” The Aid, Michael, and Gabriel with 120 men set sail on 26th May 1577. The mission was to take possession of unknown land and settle it; and to gather the “Black Gold Ore” in particular. They did take land in the Queens name and gathered black ore but little in colonizing the new land. Martin and followers returned to England arriving on the 23rd of August. Another expedition soon followed with poor results; but faith in Frobisher remained and he was made an Admiral of the Fleet. Martin Frobisher, for his service to Queen and country was knighted and given numerous commands, mostly against the Spanish. He received a wound and battle which led to his death on the 22nd November 1590.
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