The Breeze February 2015

One might think the worst when facing the power
of the ocean, but never speak or show it. At sea
for sometime one learns to overcome all fear,
and your thoughts become pure. Your senses
are heightened and can detect even the slightest
change in the wind or course. Navigating by the
stars all the way. Her bow breaking through the
waves, with each movement creating creaks and
moans, befitting the old lady she was. Whales
from miles away would spy the hull underwater
and approach the ship like a curious cat, swimming
alone as an escort. Standing at the topmast one
can see the curvature of the earth with the sun
setting on one horizon, the moon rising on the
other.
The day was partly cloudy, a breeze fresh from
the south east as the Barba Negra slipped by The
Statue, with fire boats spraying water high in the
air along side, her arms and torch welcoming them
to New York, several days before July 4th 1976,
to celebrate the oldest ship in the Bicentenial Op
Sail completing this historic crossing, with all of
America watching and cheering. The quest had not
gone unnoticed. Each crew member giving thanks
in their own way for the safe passage and friends
they had made on the many years of adventure
and completing the final leg of the passage, press
helicopters circling overhead.
But now, Albert and Alise, the boys, and Captain
Gerhard were ready for a new adventure. Find a
home! After greetings, interviews, and festivities,
(oh, did I mention time out for Gerhard to marry
Alise and Albert at sea?),from all of New York, they
set sail south with an invitation in hand to berth in
Savannah. Forming “Save Our Seas”, and providing
whale sounding research, teaching thousands of
school children the lost arts aboard an old tall ship,
they now were ambassadors to this great city and
represented her past history that stood for an era
that made her into the town she is today.
Albert and Alise found a quaint home in the historic
district, perfect for an old salt. Twenty-five years
later, continuing his art work, now Captain of the
International Brotherhood of the Coast, and the
Drum Major of the Savannah Drum and Pipe and
leading the way for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
Participating in movies and documentary films,
visiting towns off the Southern coast and receiving
the keys to the city as they were welcomed by
thousands, working with Jean-Michel Cousteau
and Project Ocean Search, off of Devils Elbow
Island in the May River, and Daufuskie Island in
the Atlantic, anchoring many times off of Harbor
Town during the Heritage and for those who have
been in Bluffton awhile they might remember
the times she has sailed up the May River to visit
friends, the Wyman Family. One can find Albert
and Alise at his gallery on the second floor of City
Market Gallery off St. Julian Street. There are so
many more stories that he would be glad to share
with you.
Oh, before we conclude this story I should catch
you up with the boys. Marcus and David, home
schooled aboard ship, and having traveled with
Albert aboard the “Illahee” and Barba Negra,
and now over fifty, have sailed before the mast
for over forty years. They are unquestionably the
most respected sea captains in the world, Captain
and Chief Officer of the Norwegian ship, Statsraad
Lehmkuhl, a three-masted 1914 Barque, one of the
largest sailing ships in the world. After all these
years at sea the brothers are still together, with
their wives Mona and Anna Britt. On occasion Albert
and Alise have accompanied them on voyages to
the Arctic, and Tall Ship Races in Europe. Marcus
and David have navigated the four corners of the
earth, winning more Atlantic and European Tall
Ship races than any other and have logged more
nautical miles than Magellan, Captain Cook, and
Frances Drake. The Seidl quest continues.
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