An 82 foot bowsprit!

We left Woods Hole around noon of a perfect day for Vinyard Sound where the crew demonstrated many aspects of maneuvering a square rigger. The ship's sparred length is 198 ft and the highest mast is 132 ft. She displaces 297 tons. The Niagra was Admiral Perry's flagship when he won the battle of Lake Erie. The story of this magnificent replica is on the web.

The t'gallant yard is 90 feet over the deck!

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania commissioned this full-size replica in 1988 as a state historic site. She sails the Atlantic coast as the state's goodwill ambassador.

Plenty of line to tangle under foot!

Early on I spotted Shenanodah in the distance against the heights in East Falmouth. But, suddenly, she was close off our port quarter. She fired on us with a signal cannon which sounded like a little pop gun.

The enemy close aboard!

Our captain squinted at the Shenandoah and frowned. Then he barked some commands. "The smoking lamp is out -- tell the cook!". "Aye sir." "Arm the port battery!" Three gentlemen appeared on deck, one with the powder satchel over his shoulder. "Miles to land, second mate?" "Two and a half, sir!" "Clew up the spanker!" He needed better visibility over the port rail. "That's well!"

Tamping home a 32 pounder!

The Shenandoah hoisted her main topsail and rapidly drew abeam, not realizing what was to happen next. "Everyone -- block your ears!" "Port battery, fire at will!" "Aye, sir, port battery fire!" The thunderous impact of the three 32 pounders was absolutely deafening. The ship shook. The Shenandoah dissapeared in a cloud of white smoke which took some time to clear. When it did, I could see people on deck brushing bits of newspaper wadding from their clothes.

Fun and games on the waters of Cape Cod!