4th of July Log Canoe Series

Log canoe Island Blossom leading Island Lark at the 2006 Heritage Regatta Sunday race in Oxford. Look closely at this photo and you'll see our "Lark" canoe and crew amongst the Blossom crew. The 2nd mast is Lark's. That's me in the reddish/pink hat. Blossom went on to win that race, with us taking a 2nd and winning the regatta. Photo by Don Biresch @2006.

A different kind of racing held my fancy this past weekend in the form of Chesapeake Bay Sailing Log Canoes. This was the start of my 27th season (23rd on the Island Lark) racing these antique ladies around courses set in the local rivers. From the look of it, this season will prove to be another very competitive season. But first, here's a little history:

The log canoes were the work-horses of the Chesapeake Bay, numbering in the thousands at the end of the 19th century. If you lived on the water, you had one, just like everyone has a car today. It was easier to get around in those days before the automobile via the waterways than on land. Informal racing developed when oyster laden canoes would race to shore at the end of the day in an effort to get the best price. Eventially, some canoes were built specifically for racing. Organized races were held before 1900.

About the boats: They are called "log canoes" because to construct one, several logs were laid parallel to each other, pinned, then shaped into the traditional canoe shape that we know. Most canoes left today are made of 5 logs, but some are of 3. The bilges were completely free from obstructions and frames which lent them well suited for running a shovel down the interior to scoop out the oysters.

Today's canoes are preserved with some modern materials, such as fiberglass coverings, but retain the original integrity and logs they were built with a 100 years ago. The masts are much taller then in the old days. Today's rigs make the boats very unstable, so the crews use hiking boards to press the boat down "on her feet" so she will be propelled forward. Racing canoes are over canvassed and are not ballasted with fixed weight, like modern sailboats. Because of these factors log canoes frequently capsize, ending the race and beginning 3 hours work to be race-ready again.Island Lark rounding the 2nd mark of the 2nd race Sunday, June 29, 2008. Lark continued to round all marks first and win the race and regatta. Photo by C. Bowie Rose @2008

This weekend saw 10 boats compete. There were many capsizes as well as equipment failures. Our boat, the Island Lark (#16), faired better than the rest and took two 1st's and one 2nd to win the 4th of July Series. Our skipper hit the starts very well and kept us in the race at all times. The Island Blossom (#9), our closest competitor, sailed to a 2nd place finish in the series. We had some scarey jibes and a few close calls during mark roundings where we came close to capsizing. My daughter Eleanora bailed for three solid races as we shipped water over the sides, constantly. The winds were strong enough for us to never need the light air "kite" at all over the weekend. On Sunday the winds were stronger yet, and we opted to fly the #2 jib (a smaller jib than the #1) which gave us more speed to windward and some stability off the wind during the gusts. In the lighter spots we suffered with the small jib, allowing Blossom to beat us in race #2.

My daughter, Eleanora and I sharing a post-race moment on Sunday afternoon. Eleanora held the teenage position aboard Lark which sailed this weekend with 6 different decades of ages and 3 generations. @ 2008 C. Bowie Rose

To give you an idea of the historical sense of these few boats that are left racing, I will quickly give you some facts. Island Lark was built in 1901 as a racing canoe. She raced a few seasons, got abandoned in a hurricane, then went on to be worked as a crab/oyster boat for 50 years, complete with engine and cabin. In the 1970's she was converted to a sailboat again and later assumed her rightful character in what she is today. Island Blossom was built in 1892 as a racing canoe and is probably the most famous canoe due to her continuous racing history. Island Bird was built in 1884 and is the smallest on the race course. For more check out: http://www.logcanoes.com/ . There is so much more to tell; Magic, Spirit, Persistence, Noddy, Heel, Patricia, Jay Dee, Gift, Billie P, Sandy, Faith, Mystery, Edmee, and Cloud. Maybe another time.

Island Lark with cabin and motor as she was found in the late 1960's.

Chase boat "Brougham". Photo by C. Bowie Rose @ 2008

We are lucky to have abundant crew aboard the Lark and a great chase-boat owned by Victor duPont. Anyone not needed during one of the races gets to hang out on "Brougham" which is complete with a sofa on the roof and palm tree. Music, brownies, libation, and entertainment accompany the race viewing. This weekend saw at least 30 people participate in one form or another to make the "Lark" syndicate happen. It takes a village to race a canoe. I am blessed to be a part of such an awesome program and to have association with these wonderful people. It is awesome to have the opportunity to pass this love of wood, boats, and racing to my girls as they mature. It is the Land of Pleasant Living!