Tall ship collides with freighter

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Robert H. Wilkinson

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Canada's largest tall ship the 203' schooner Empire Sandy collided with a freighter Saturday in the Welland Canal.
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2017/08/06 ... -freighter

I watched her earlier Saturday and admired how deftly the captain brought her to the wall between 2 other ships. Not sure how it occurred but It was vey windy Sat. I suspect she may have lost reverse or became stuck with forward engaged. Mechanical malfunctions never happen at an opportune moment.

With her windage she may have to maintain a fairly aggressive approach to hold coarse. Even with bare poles her rigging will present significant windage. She is a beautiful ship.

Regards, Rob
 
It sounds as if she hit the lock wall, and then bumped into the merchant ship which was ahead of her. Since Empire Sandy is steel, I would not expect any major damage to the hull--but the Bow Sprit, which appears to be wooden, or its support structure might have sustained some minor damage. The cap or "cringle Iron is what holds the forestay and bob stay and whisker stays on the bowsprit--might be a point of contact, and probably is welded in a ship of this size--so that would need to be inspected. The gammon irons, which support the bowsprit at the deck could also be damaged--as part of the rigging might be compromised also.

It appears as if you can buy the Sandy Empire for the bargain price of only 2.95 million dollars (I assume Canadian). I suspect that the annual maintenance budget be more than that figure--including crew of 25, fuel, sail repair etc...

I would guess that she does not have bow and stern thrusters, as most modern cruise ships have...so maneuvering would take great skill!

Another "Thank you to Rob!"
 
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