Fair Jeanne August 26

Fair Jeanne spent the night alongside at the Crysler Park Marina in Morrisburg last night. A large game of Capture the flag was played before quiche was served for dinner. Following that everyone participated in the Tall Ship Olympics.

This morning after breakfast and happy hour the trainees and crew made their way to Upper Canada Village where they toured the village and bought an enormous amount of bread that they will enjoy for tonight's supper. The plan right now is to have the ship's concert while anchored somewhere near Prescott and if the weather holds out perhaps even a night sail.

This program has gone by very quickly! It will end tomorrow afternoon in Brockville at the Blockhouse Island Dock.

Fair Winds!

Fair Jeanne August 25

Fair Jeanne is underway and making her way towards Morrisburg. She should be alongside around 1700hrs. Yesterday she went through several different lock systems while the trainees practiced setting and dousing some of the sails.

The plan for tomorrow is a trip to Upper Canada Village before getting underway for a night sail.

Sail on!

Fair Jeanne has new trainees sign aboard!

The Fair Jeanne said a fond farewell to the trainees upon arrival in Montreal after a 15 day voyage from Miramichi. The boat was participating in the Montreal Classic Boat Festival so she with the help of some a of crew and a few volunteers spent the weekend doing deck tours. It sounds like the event was a great success!

Yesterday afternoon a new group of youth trainees joined the ship for a voyage that will take the ship back to Brockville where it all began this summer. The crew took the new trainees through a very informative in house lesson and then everyone settled down to watch a acrobatic routine by voile spectacle around twenty thirty.

Fair Jeanne got underway around 0600 this morning.

Fair Winds, and don't forget to check twitter to see what the boats are up to! www.twitter.com/bytownbrig

Black Jack Update

Black Jack anchored overnight last night in Buckam's Bay. This morning they woke to cloudy skies and a new head delivered for the Captain's Cabin. After breakfast and happy hour a game of pins and cleats was started but interrupted by rain.

The Ship got underway to Quyon where Petty Officer Schilt docked the boat for the first time! Congratulations Schilt!! The Game of pins and cleats continued while Tremblay cooked up some Mac and Cheese for lunch. This afternoon everyone will go ashore for some shore leave.

Sail on!

Update from the Island

Ahoy from Black Jack,

Yesterday's camp started out bright and early in Quyon as it always does. We have a full ship a excited trainees. The afternoon consisted of mostly in-house lessons followed by a game of man hunt. Supper was then served. After dinner once it was dark, there was a haunted walk of the island where apparently not many trainees were spooked. The night came to a close with a camp fire.

Today after happy hour there will be a swim test in Buckam's Bay followed by an afternoon of sailing on Black Jack around the River.

Don't forget to check twitter for updates throughout the day at www.twitter.com/bytownbrig

Fair Winds!

Fair Jeanne August 17

Fair Jeanne left Quebec City yesterday around 0930 and spent most of the day sailing and doing sailing drills--even the OT's got to call setting and dousing.

They made Portneuf around 1830. Today the plan is to get underway and make it to Trois Rivieres and anchor for ship's concert.

Sail on!

Fair Jeanne in Quebec City

The Fair Jeanne arrived in Quebec City yesterday morning, the crew and trainees were very quick to finish happy hour so that everyone who was not on watch could go ashore to see the sights. The day on the boat was spent doing cetol and some seizings in the rigging.

The evening was really fantastic, the city put on a sound and light show that was projected onto the elevators next to where the ship is docked, so everyone climbed aloft and got front row seats!

Today, everyone else got to tour the sights. The people at Port Marina have been realy fantastic. Everyone has had a chance to shower, do what ever laundry was needed and even have swim in the pool.

It truely has been a terrific day. As I write this in the chart house I can smell the delicious nachos supreem being cooked in the galley.

Tomorrow we are hoping to head out with the tide and do some sailing.

Update from Fair Jeanne

Fair Jeanne was a few days late getting into Rimouski, Québec, so they just left yesterday.

Fair Jeanne called last night after getting underway from Rimouski around noon. The plan had been to leave around 0700hrs but there was terrible fog and it kept them them in port until the afternoon. Instead the trainees participated in a course setting competition and put their new skills to the test! Everyone on board has had a chance to work on their logbooks and are getting many items signed off.

The ship should be to Quebec City by noon today.
Stay tuned for more information. They cell phone reception has been poor but is getting clearer so blog updates will become more frequent!

Sail On!

Photos from Black Jack

Here are some photos from Black Jack Camp 4 up to this point. Enjoy!

Program Updates

Fair Jeanne:

A very quick note came from Fair Jeanne this morning. They have poor cell phone and internet connection, but the plan was to arrive in Ramouski today between 20:30 and 2100. All is well on the boat and everyone seems in good spirits.

Black Jack:

Black Jack trainees have been enjoying this great weather! Today there were some whaler sailing activities near Buckams Bay and tonight there is a Haunted Island Walk planned!

Check back tomorrow for a longer update as the Captain as largely out of cell phone range today.

Sail on!

Fair Jeanne Voyage E

Fair Jeanne got underway from Miramichi Friday afternoon. They were hoping to make it to Gaspe by early Saturday morning but due to strong wind and poor weather the voyage has been very slow. They took cover until the weather started to become more predictable. They will be to Gaspe this afternoon. The Marina in Gaspe has planned a bbq for the ships company for this evening and they will probably stay alongside there until Sunday or depending on the weather Monday. Once they get back on the river, the schedule will be more predictable and we will have a better update for you.

Fair Winds!

Black Jack Camp 4

Update from the Island:

The Black Jack Captain is now Twittering (or 'Tweeting') from the is Island. You can follow him directly at www.twitter.com/stvblackjack

Last night on the Island the camp fire lasted only 5 minutes before it was interrupted by a lightning storm. As a concession the trainees and crew all enjoyed hot chocolate in the bunk barge before bed.

This morning fruit salad and cereal were served for breakfast before happy hour. The Captain is hoping the weather warms up so everyone can go for a swim today before heading out to Pontiac Bay for an overnight expedition. The plan is to erect sleeping tipis and make a camp fire to roast hot dogs for dinner.

Keep checking twitter to see what the trainees are up to.

Fair Winds!

Black Jack Camp 3 Pictures and Videos

Last week was a great week aboard Black Jack. Here are just some of the many photos that were taken throughout the week. As well, we have just started our own YouTube channel and have uploaded some videos from the week of lessons and activities. To see more videos go to http://www.youtube.com/user/TallShipsBBI Enjoy!

Quyon Anchor Delivery

This weekend was a great one for Black Jack! Friday after the camp ended she headed to Britannia Bay where she was greeted by the Mayor to pick up the original anchor from the G.B. Greene.

Saturday the crew was greeted with sunshine as the Black Jack made her way back down the river to Quyon where the Governor General and her Foot Guards were waiting with a crowd of about 500 people for the ceremonial return on the anchor. The following festivities were wonderful and the whole ship's company were greeted very graciously by everyone.

The whole weekend was a wonderful success and we are very grateful to have participated in this event. We have attached some photos to this entry to check out the fun!

Update from Fair Jeanne

After a great visit to Pugwash, NS, where she spent the weekend, the Fair Jeanne made her way to Summerside yesterday. When the boat came alongside, the cook was presented was a giant bag of P.E.I. potatoes as a welcome to the province. There has been a long awaited break from the rain and last night the trainees were given a chance to explore the town which included a swim at the rec centre.

Our crew had to say a very sad goodbye to the friends they have made on the Roseway as they parted ways but we wish them fair winds on the rest of their journey and hope they stay in touch and we are able to sail together again next season on the Great Lakes.

A reception was hosted for the entire ship's company at the Marine Training Centre before setting off for a 35 hour trip to Miramichi. The crew seems in good spirits and are hoping to get some good sailing in during this time. This is the first time the trainees will experience being underway overnight.

Just a reminder to parents that the trainees are to be picked up in Miramichi tomorrow (August 5) at 1200hrs at Ritchie Wharf in Miramichi.

Sail On!

Black Jack Crews and participants in Halifax

I managed to package up some photos sent in by Debbie Boucher of the Black Jack crews and participants that were in Halifax July 16-20 for the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Navy Dockyard. Here's a little blurb Debbie sent with the photos.

The first 7 pictures show the re-enactment at Bishop's Landing on Saturday Jul 18th. The weather changed from thick fog to pouring rain, as you can see in the pictures. But the crews did a fabulous job and seemed to have fun regardless. The crowd was very good and remained throughout the display - some of us were there for over 4 hours to be sure to get the best viewing position!

Then the longboats braved the heavy fog again the next morning, crossing the harbour from Halifax to Alderney Landing, Dartmouth on Sunday Jul 19th. It was quite the sight to see the boats coming out of the fog! But by noon, the sun appeared and all was blue skies for the rest of the trip.