Latitude 50

killroy-was-here-smallAnother fitful night of waking, watching, dosing has brought us to Cape Whittle. This is important because I can now turn Northeast and head toward the Strait of Belle Isle and the open ocean. But 50⁰ North is a jealous latitude and has held the CAP’T LEM close to the line for the last 290 miles. A Northeast wind and dense fog conspire to see escape to the north is difficult at best. My hope was the day star could bring the stout and steady west wind of yesterday as it warms the land over Newfoundland but no, it only brought a stronger Nor’easter and more fog.

But, of course, all the wishing in the world cannot change one breath of wind. I’ll just deal with it by climbing out of “Golfe du Saint-Laurent” like a toddler climbs stairs one tack at a time. My job as captain of THE CAPTAIN is to be ready, just be ready. Wind does change.

The fog that came with the wind only sharpens my hunger to see the horizon. I passed two ships at less than three miles, big ships by the size of the radar return, but saw nor heard either one. When I step below I can’t stay for long or the need to look out borders on obsession. The radar, the chart plotter, the AIS all tell me, nothing there, but still the need to see… I want to see that nothing is there. I can only imagine the horror the fog brought to sailors of old.

So I stand in the companion way on the lower rung my head just clearing the hatch cover in such a way that were you the mast looking back you would only see from my nose up. I clasp the hatch combing with both hands, fingers and thumb as though peering over a fence. “Killroy was here!” should be scrawled just below.

By 1500, I’ve had enough of stair climbing and sheet white fog, so I make my way to another anchorage below an abandon lighthouse at Lat 50⁰ 18’ 11.2”W ~ Long. 059⁰ 39’ 43.9”W having traveled 230 nm from Anticosti Island. I’ll sleep the whole night through…unless the wind changes or the anchor drags or the boat rocks…

6 Responses to “Latitude 50”

  1. WillieFife says:

    Seeing that nothing is there: The photo image matches your word picture exactly.
    Sleep well…

  2. Chuck Velie says:

    Sleep well! Thank you for the updates and reminding me of how fortunate I am to have a competent crew to watch over things while I am off watch.

    I hope you can have some more days of a fair wind and get to enjoy a clear view from horizon to horizon!
    –Chuck

  3. wannabesailing says:

    Dear Tommy,
    It won’t be long before you see your first iceberg. You are likely to see them nearby to Blanc Sablon

  4. Bumbazer says:

    Tommy, how good is the radar at picking out icebergs?

  5. wannabesailing says:

    Having sailed the coast of Labrador I can tell you that icebergs don’t show up very good. The big ones sometimes but the little ‘growler’s never.

  6. Frank and Cynthia Marrs says:

    We read your blogs frequently with mixed intrepidation and enjoyment. You write with such color. Travel safely, and keep in mind that there are several of us back home keeping you and your travels in our hearts. Frank and Cynthia (your daughter’s in-laws).