A Tall Ship, and a Big Loss.

"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).

The HMS Bounty, by Madzi Bryll

In 2008, a dear friend of ours, photographer Madzia Bryll, was able to sail aboard the HMS Bounty (a replica sailing ship, used in the famous movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1963). It was with heavy hearts we listened to the news on Monday, as they described her sinking and the loss of her captain and a crew member. Our hearts go out to the crew who lost their home on Monday, and to the families & friends of the crew members who were taken by the sea.

Madzia is starting to sell her photos & artwork from her time on the Bounty, online to help raise money for the HMS Bounty Crew Relief Fund, which will help the displaced crew, and the families of the lost. ALL her proceeds will go straight to the fund. (She is currently traveling, so there are limited prints available, but she will add more as soon as she can!) Please visit her site & see the works available & consider joining the effort!

Many sailors of tall ships (even in today's age) simply live on their vessel, so those who made it safely off now have no home. Please consider giving to the Relief Fund  today!