Good morning!

As I write this, Lynx is cruising along toward the east tip of Long Island under four lowers and reefed fore tops’l in North Northwesterly breezes. We are currently abeam of Ocean City Maryland, about 35 miles offshore.

Yesterday brought us lighter winds and the vessel was sailing comfortably, which allowed the crew to catch up on the rest they had missed out on over their previous nights. Since the cold front passed over on Friday night, temperatures have dropped, reminding us how far north we’ve come. The crew have had to break out jackets and hats that had been safely stowed while we were in warmer locations.

A brief lull in the wind last night forced us to fire up the diesel for a few hours, but a sailing breeze filled in again overnight and we were able to shut down again.

We have gotten a few glimpses of the North Atlantic’s marine wildlife and yesterday were able to catch two Atlantic Bluefish, each roughly eight pounds. The catch yielded enough for the fish-eaters among us to have a nice dinner of baked fish with lemon, alongside rice and broccoli and a delicious dessert bar.

Needless to say, the crew are in good spirits and we are closing in on our destination. Hopefully the favorable breezes will hold out and we’ll be able to keep the vessel moving under sail.

Until next time,

LeeAnne Gordon and the crew of Lynx

Hello all, and greetings from the North Atlantic!

The past 24 hours have seen a variety of weather cross Lynx’s decks, starting with the strong southerly breezes that helped us pull away from the North Carolina capes and around Cape Hatteras.  As we rounded Cape Hatteras, the crew took in the reefed fore tops’l and reefed mains’l before wearing ship to head closer in toward shore.  Last night’s weather forecast had a strong cold front coming overhead, along with the possibility of severe thunderstorms and rain.
Never ones to shy away from weather, the crew gritted their teeth and bore through, standing watch in periods of rain last night as the cold front passed and the temperature dropped.
Behind the cold front, we have found lighter airs and this morning we were able to shake the reef in the main and set it, along with the jib and fore tops’l.  Currently in about 10 knots of NW’ly wind, we are making just over 4 knots toward the eastern tip of Long Island.  Mileage-wise, the vessel is better than halfway to her destination.  Time-wise, however, may be a different story.  We’ll keep you posted as things progress.

Cheers,
LeeAnne Gordon and the crew of Lynx

Good morning!

Lynx is underway for Greenport, and making great speeds!

After departing the USCG Dock in Wilmington yesterday morning, the crew tucked reefs into the fore tops’l and mains’l and we set sails shortly after lunch as we exited the Cape Fear River.

With Cape Fear and Cape Lookout behind us, we are steering to stay well clear of Cape Hatteras and hopefully get a northerly push from the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream has been a help so far, and for the last 6 hours, we have been making speeds of 9 to 10 knots over the bottom.  With any luck, we will round the Cape in daylight hours this afternoon and carry on towards Long Island.

Strong winds and high seas have made this a bit of a rolly ride, particularly for those in the starboard bunks.  Several of the crew have made visits to the rail, but we are all pleased to see that everyone is powering through their seasickness, and spirits are high.

LeeAnne Gordon

BY CAROLYN LUCAS-ZENK | WEST HAWAII TODAY

Waimea resident Woodson Woods dreamed of a tall ship with a sleek hull and rakish masts. This lifelong sailor and serious maritime history student fascinated by the War of 1812 decided in 1997 to build this ship.

“I wanted to create for others the rewards garnered from a deep interest in maritime history and the rich world of the sea,” he said.

Woods spent $3 million and four years to create a wooden boat designed after an actual privateer named Lynx, built by Thomas Kemp in Fell’s Point, Md. The swift, historical ship was among the first to defend American freedom by evading the British naval fleet, then blockading ports.

His modern Lynx, inspired by the original and completed in 2001, teaches American history, sailing, celestial navigation and environmental issues. To date, it has welcomed more than a million people aboard for adventure sails, sail training programs and dockside tours.

Recognizing the impact the Lynx has made, the National Maritime Historical Society is honoring Woods by giving him the 2011 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Maritime Education. He will receive the award at a gala dinner Oct. 12 at the New York Yacht Club.

National Maritime Historical Society chairman Ronald Oswald praised Woods for “(his) design, building and crewing of the 1812 privateer Lynx, but most specifically for creating the Lynx sailing program to incorporate sail training with a hands-on educational experience of history.”

“The award recognizes work that teaches maritime history in a way that conveys the challenges, excitement and leading role of our seafaring past in creating today’s world,” he added.

Woods serves as president of the board of directors for the Lynx Educational Foundation, a nonprofit overseeing operations of the ship and its interactive sail training program designed to enrich personal achievement through team and discipline. He was “surprised, overwhelmed, honored and humbled” by the award.

“An operation such as ours is the work of many dedicated individuals who give of their time, energy and commitment — as is the organization which oversees it,” he said.

Lynx sails as “a living history museum,” sharing the story of America’s struggle to preserve its independence. Fitted with period ordnance and flying pennants and flags from the 1812 era, the eight-member crew wears period uniforms — striped shirts and bell bottoms — in keeping with the maritime traditions, Woods said.

“Lynx provides a training ground for children and adults, giving them the opportunity to learn the ways of seafarers in the 18th and 19th centuries,” he said. “Lynx explores the role played by privateers in American history, as well as teaches the important lessons of the Revolutionary War.”

A common misconception is privateers were pirates. Woods explained privateers were owners of private vessels who were granted special permission to take shipping from enemy vessels and given a portion of the profits.

Lynx was based in Newport Beach, Calif., from May 2002 until 2009, when the ship traveled to the East Coast through the Panama Canal. Lynx took six cruises from California to Hawaii during the summers of 2002 to 2007. After several years touring the West Coast, Canada and Hawaii, Lynx is now back east to celebrate the upcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial.

More than 10,000 students from 600 schools have stepped aboard the ship and explored its wonder. Proceeds from the training programs and tours, as well as donations, go toward maintaining and keeping the Lynx sailing, Woods said.

The most important accomplishment, Woods said, is “the Lynx changes lives.” He shared the experience of Karafaye Buffa, a teen who sailed from California to Hawaii aboard the ship in 2004.

“In the 18 days of the journey, I changed as a person. I became more passionate about sailing than I already had been. I learned to live life to the fullest and to take more risks,” Buffa wrote. “After feeling the sense of responsibility inspired by steering this huge ship, I now undertake more and different responsibilities and leadership roles than I would have ever considered previously. The experience taught me to deal with unexpected obstacles that have the chance to alter the direction of my life. I also learned to accept more challenges and face them to the best of my ability.”

Woods said three former students are now attending maritime colleges in California and Maine, including Joel Buffa who graduates this weekend.

Left our mooring in Savannah, GA at 1140 on the 5th and started the transit down the Savannah River on an ebb tide. We had light rain and 15 – 20 kt. Westerly’s behind a cold front that passed through early in the morning. Finished final offshore preps during the transit down the river and set the fore and staysail. As we passed Old Fort Jackson we fired a two gun salute which was returned by the Forts 1824 32 pounder .With the fair wind and current we made quick work of the river and cleared the river entrance at 1330. As we cleared the coast we set the Jib and Fore Top as the winds built to 20 – 25 kts and we made our way ENE in 6-7 ft seas. The first day of the trip was uneventful but as we worked our way North the breeze clocked to the NE and eased so we had to motor for about five hours.  The breeze then clocked around to the Southwest and freshened to 15 – 18 kts and we secured the engine and started to sail again. Early morning on the 7^th the winds eased so we reduced sail and started motoring so we would be at the Cape Fear River entrance at first light.

We entered the Cape Fear River at 0600 and worked our way upriver on a flood. As the morning wore on the winds built so we were able to sail about half the distance upriver. As we neared the City of Wilmington we called the Cape Fear Bridge to get it raised then set all sail and made our entrance with a four gun salute behind the Wilmington Fire Boat. We are now moored at the River Front in Old Town Wilmington.

Captain Bob and the Crew of the Lynx

Fox News Reports On National Geographic’s Expedition Week featuring the Privateer Lynx on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 10 PM PST.