Mark Your Calendars

November19th Reef Fishing Program30th Ship’s Store Sale

December3rd Sailing Race – DIYC

Race SeriesJanuaryNo scheduled activities

VOLUME 18 November 2009 NUMBER 10 Perry Gesell, Editor (838-2995)

Vice Commodore’s CornerTom Hurley, Vice Commodore

I look forward to my new position as Vice Commodore of our Yacht Club. One of the key duties of the Vice Commodore is DIYC Boating and event safety. As a past Safety Officer and a current Vessel Safety Examiner for the Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron this is an area of keen interest to me. This column will usually contain a boating safety message each month.

THE COMMODORE’S CORNER Bernie Chalmers, Commodore

2010 has a nice ring to it, but so does 1992 when Norm Robertson was at the helm of Dataw Island’s 1st Yacht Club. Being part of the Yacht Club and being the 19 th

Commodore is extremely exciting.

I am looking forward to working with the new Board and committee members to try and make this year a successful one. This will not be an easy task because of the hard work and efforts of the past Boards and committees.

I have seen many changes over the past years while being a Flag Officer. For example: there are fewer DIYC members, there are fewer power boats in the fleet, the number of sailors and kayaks have grown, and there are more activities on the Island that compete for time slots.

We have already identified many of the challenges facing us in 2010. We need to offer a variety of events that will lead to increased member participation. We need to have more Captains participate so that more of our members can “crew”. We need more involvement of both existing and new members in our member-friendly social events. Event scheduling will be critical so that our events will not be in conflict with other activities on the Island.

Some of these challenges were made apparent as a result of the recent member survey. I thank each of you who responded and look forward to additional suggestions throughout the year.

Rest assured that I will be working diligently with your new Board; your cruise, sailing, and fishing captains; the social committee; the ship’s storekeepers; the TIDES editor and distributors; and our tireless volunteers to make this the best Yacht Club year ever!

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Vice Commodore’s Corner Rear Commodore’s Corner Ship’s Store Holiday Sale Did You Know? Cruise News Sailing News Fishing News Welcome Aboard Social News Happy Thanksgiving Club Officers Honored Accident Reporting Photo Contest Winner Membership Renewal Honoring Past DIYC

Commodores 2009-2010 Social

Committees Editor’s Note Swallowed by a Whale The Doctor 2010 DIYC Board of

Governors

Next Regularly Scheduled

Board MeetingDecember 1st

4:00 PMCommunity

Center

PowerboatersJoe had saved up for many years and was finally going to purchase the fast offshore boat of his dreams. Shortly after hitting the water curiosity got to him and he pushed the throttle forward. With the wind blowing his aging hair back he smiled until he noticed a marine patrol boat chasing after him. At first he speed up to run away then realized, that was the wrong thing to do. With a terrible feeling he slowed to a stop. The officer asked his name. A very frightened, "Joe", was the response. Seeing that Joe was feeling really bad about being pulled over, the officer told him that if he could tell him a good reason for speeding his boat, he would let him go with just a warning. Joe thought for a moment then said; "My wife ran off with an officer and I thought you were trying to give her back!" With a smile the patrolman said; "Don't do it again!" and left.

As I write this (11/3) the water temperature is still near 70 degrees so getting wet while boating is not a major issue. By the end of November the water temperature will have dropped below 65 degrees and hypothermia can become a real problem for a wet boater. New York State has just passed a law requiring all occupants of a boat 21 feet or less to wear a PFD when boating during the period November 1 to April 30. While we do not have the very low water temperatures of NY we still need to take extra precautions when boating in the late fall/winter.  It will likely be colder out on the water than on land in the winter months so bring extra clothing, especially a wind proof/waterproof jacket. If you are boating alone in the winter wear a PFD at all times and have a “tested” way to get back on the boat should you fall overboard.  Pay close attention to the weather and the tide. The wind will likely be stronger in the winter and the wind blowing against the tidal current can build up a nasty chop quickly. Always carry a VHF radio and/or cell phone. In the winter there won’t be many boats there to assist you if you have a breakdown. Finally make sure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to return.

For those traveling over the Holidays or anytime remember that DIYC is a member of the Yachting Club of America. This allows DIYC members to reciprocal benefits at over 800 yacht clubs in the US, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. If your travel plans might present an opportunity to visit another yacht club call Bernie Chalmers for a “Reciprocal Courtesy Card” which will identify you as a member. To identify other member clubs visit the YCA website at www.ycaol.com  To visit the members only section our User Name is club1040 and our password is y100466c.

CRUISE NEWS John Megrue, Fleet Captain

Ahoy from the “lower deck” (that which is just above the bilge)!

Tis the season to plan, and your officers and I will be spending some time reviewing the input from the recent questionnaire. Hopefully, we’ll come up with another great year of cruises and events for y’all’s participation. (Cece and I are really from Connecticut but are giving the southern drawl a full court press.)

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I need cruise captains. Sooo, let me hear from you via e-mail, phone, snail-mail, etc.

OTHERWISE, I go into the appointment mode!!!

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to a great New Year with new and interesting ventures.

SAILING NEWS

Did You Know?

Beer was rationed out to crewmen on warships in the 18th century at a gallon per day per man. Rum was rationed to crewmen serving only in the West Indies in the amount of half a pint-per-day.

Rear Commodore’s Corner Stan Hudson, Rear Commodore

The cruising year is quickly shutting down and we can now enjoy the occasional spectacular winter day on the water. Looking forward to the upcoming year it will be my duty to discuss communications in all aspects. A good rule for those of you who are boat owners, is to always leave a float plan before you leave the dock. Stuck aground can be time consuming and frightening if you're caught in the dark. Your cell phone won't always work, or even your VHF, but if someone knows your plans they can help locate you if you're overdue. Leave the plan with a friend, or at the marina office. Looking forward to a soft winds and calming sun. Happy and safe boating.

HOLIDAY SALE AT THE SHIP'S STORE Pre-Christmas Special Sale

New shipment of clothes in great new colors: caps, polos, tees, sweatshirts, and much more.

Sizes and styles for just about everyone! Huge inventory! Over 100 discontinued items at deep cut prices!

Nov 30th at the Community Center, 10 AM – 3 PM

Cash or checks accepted

Can't make the sale?  Don't forget you can call one of the shopkeepers, Joy or Paul Jacobs at 838-5188. See you at the Sale!

Roy Crocker, Sailing Captain

A race from the marina down the Morgan River to St. Helena Sound and back was held on November 2nd. This was the sixth of seven racing events in the DIYC 2009 Racing Series. An overall 2009 DIYC Sailing Champion will be determined based on the combined results of these races.

Five boats participated in the eighteen mile long November 2 event that was held in very nice sailing conditions. The boats got off to a clean start with the staring sequence being handled by the Presiding Race Officer John Mahoney. With the wind out of the NNE at 8 to 10 MPH the boats headed down the Morgan to buoy Green “11” in St. Helena Sound. As the boats reached the turning point Skipper John Payne in SWEETTHING was in the lead followed by Skipper Bob North in NORTHSTAR, Skipper Roy Crocker in TRUE LOVE, Skipper Bill Morgan in MORGAN’S TAVERN and Skipper John Huntley in SPINDRIFT in that order. On the leg back to the marina, which was a tight beat, SWEETTHING continued to extend her lead the finish first with NORTHSTAR in pursuit coming in second. MORGAN’S TAVERN was able to pass TRUE LOVE to finish third in a close race and SPINDRIFT ended up in fifth place.

Once the PHRF ratings were applied the official order of finish was –

1st – SWEETTHING2nd – TRUELOVE3rd – NORTHSTAR4th – MORGAN’S TAVERN5th – SPINDRIFT

A great sail had by all As much as Spindrift tried, the dolphins couldn’t help her to go any faster.

Thanks to PRO John Mahoney for starting, timing the finish and calculating the finishing order of the race. Without the support of people volunteering to serve as Race Committee we could not have these races.

There will be one more race to complete the 2009 DIYC Race Series. The final race is planned for Thursday, December 3. Stay tuned for more information regarding this race.

Definition of SHAKEDOWN – 1. Trial cruise to test the seaworthiness of a new boat. 2. Exorbitant charge for immediate and essential repairs to a new boat levied by the marina to which it was towed.

FISHING NEWS Tom Blair, Fishing Captain Fall Fishing around Dataw

Fall fishing can be very productive in the ponds of Dataw and also in the local saltwater. The bass continue to be active in the ponds and you should be able to catch large fish through the mild season and then on

warmer sunny days after the cold weather sets in. The bass will fall for grubs and artificial worms, particularly Senko rigged style that Captain Lanny Kraus swears by and because the water is cooling, fishing your lures slower may work well.

Saltwater efforts yield delicious Sea Trout and Flounder this time of year. Although I always release Redfish I am lucky enough to catch, they also are delicious fare. Sea Trout can usually be found when the tide is moving off docks and in deeper sections of Jenkins Creek channels and off of shell rakes in bigger water. They prefer cleaner water so look for that. Captain Tuck recommends that to find Sea Trout if you have a boat is to slow troll the center and edges of the creeks and rivers with a flip tail jig or small spoon and if you hook up stop and fish where you hooked a trout. Flounder will be caught near creek mouths and along the marsh edge particularly where small rivulets drain the marsh on a falling tide. Redfish stay near the grass edge and near shell rakes also. All of our tasty targets hang out around docks so if you have access to those, give them a try. Fall around Dataw is such a great time of year to get out, take your fishing stuff with you as the perfect excuse to be out there. Enjoy it all while you can!

SOCIAL NEWS Jack & Deb Burke, Dave & Pat Morris, Co-Chairs

Wrap-up:  2009 DIYC Social Events

 As Ann Brown has told us many times, DIYC is the social party group on Dataw!  We certainly kept our reputation with a variety of well-attended events this year. February found members "cruising the Mediterranean" and "traveling to five ports of call" to taste the cuisines of France, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Spain. The weather cooperated, and our two Jimmy Fitts catered gazebo evenings were packed with enthusiastic friends. In May we enjoyed a "Lowcountry Boil";  in September, a prime rib feast.

 And the highlight of the year, the Commodore's Ball in early November, was a huge success! This black tie, Venetian masquerade ball received rave reviews from members who enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres and a sumptuous meal prepared by Chef Joe. The Carolina Room was filled to capacity as members enjoyed an evening of swing-era music and socializing. Commodore George Cheatham and wife Sue took to the dance floor early and often, setting the tone for the lively night ahead. The dance floor was packed all evening long as the band, “Target”, played non-stop. Current and past commodores and their spouses were honored by a grateful membership made stronger by their work for DIYC.

Norman and Cissy Nichols Ready to crewHugh and Anne Jenings 36’ Gozzard Sailboat, “Serendipity”

The Jorgensens, Coxes, Morrises, and Burkes say thank you to all who helped us have a great time this year and attended the events.   

Flag Officers, Past and Current Commodores Honored

A SPECIAL THANKS: With its usual panache, the Commodore's Ball honored current and past DIYC Commodores and their spouses, who have contributed their time and effort to make the DIYC the organization that it is today. Their labors have added something to the history and contribute to improving the future of our organization.

2010 Flag Officers 2009 Flag Officers

From left to right: John and Cece Megrue, Stan and Ellen Hudson, From left to right: Stan and Ellen Hudson, Tom and CharlotteBernie Chalmers, Frances Matthews, Tom and Charlotte Hurley Bernie Chalmers, Frances Matthews, George and Sue Cheatham

Past Commodores Past Commodores

From left to right: Ben and Judy McAuley, Gretchen Blickle From left to right: John and Carol De Stefano, Kay and RonJohn and Josie Cashen Smith, Fred and Dorothy Zinser

2009 DIYC Commodore 2010 DIYC Commodore

George and Sue Cheatham Bernie Chalmers and Frances Matthews

Many Thanks to our DIYC Social Committees, past and future, for providing us with some outstanding events.

HONORING OUR PAST DIYC COMMODORESIt is with deepest sincerity, enthusiasm, and gratitude that we recognize the enormous efforts and personal commitment from our Past Commodores.  They have made the Dataw Island Yacht Club something we all take great pride in today.

George Cheatham 2009 Tom Molzow 2000John Cashen 2008 Fred Zinser 1999Gretchen Blickle 2007 Tom Jardine, Always Remembered 1998Rick Manzari 2006 Mike Adams 1997Ben McAuley 2005 Bob Holzmacher 1996John De Stefano 2004 Jimmy O’Neal, Always Remembered 1995Ron Smith 2003 Bill Tyner 1994Bill Paddock 2002 Dave Sheperd, Always Remembered 1993John Ballantyne 2001 Norman Robertson 1992

2009 Social Committee 2010 Social Committee

From Left to Right: Dwayne and Beverly Cox, Susan From Left to Right: Jack and Deborah Burke, Geraldineand Paul Jorgensen, Deborah and Jack Burke, Dave and Dick Purdy, Dave Morris (Not pictured: Pat Morris, Morris (Not pictured: Pat Morris) Ed and Beth Hancock)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Stand up, on this Thanksgiving Day, stand upon your feet. Believe in man. 

Soberly and with clear eyes, believe in your own time and place. There is not, and there never has been a better time, or a better place to live in.  ~ Phillips Brooks

Accident Reporting

Federal law requires the operator – or owner, if the operator is deceased or unable to make the report – to file a boating accident report with the State reporting authority when, as a result of an occurrence that involves a boat or its equipment:

A person dies A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that

indicate death or injury A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond

first aid Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000 (lower

amounts in some states and territories) or more The boat is destroyed.

Congratulations to the 2009 Photo Contest Winner – Betty Huntley.

Picture taken during the Morgan River Circumnavigation Race,

September 29th

Editor’s Note: I just want to take this opportunity to thank Ellie White (who is passing on her leadership role) and all her helpers who have worked so hard this year in getting the TIDES distributed. She not only coordinated the distribution, but put on all those labels as well. It helps make this job much easier. Speaking of this job – I sure could use an assistant. You don’t even have to know desktop publishing. I could use help with photos, editing and proofing, following up on information, anything you can offer. You can contact me, Perry Gesell, at 2995, or e-mail atgesell.islandhome@gmail.com.

You can help the Coast Guard and its boating safety partners to save lives by understanding and complying with this requirement.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER

Invoices need to be returned by December 31st for you to remain a member in good standing and to have your name included in the 2010 directory. In accordance with the DIYC Bylaws, members with dues, assessments or any other debts to the Club, remaining unpaid thirty (30) days after established due date, shall be considered NOT IN GOOD STANDING and their membership in the Club shall be terminated. A member terminated for non-payment of debt may be reinstated upon payment of the debt and application to the Board of Governors, as if a new applicant.

If you do not receive an invoice, please contact Carol Luzzi, 2010 Membership Chair, at 838-5040 or e-mail cluzzi@islc.net.

The records of the British Admiralty testify that James Bartley, an apprentice seaman on a whaler, was swallowed by a whale in February, 1891, some two hundred miles east of the Falkland Islands in the South

Atlantic. He survived the ordeal and this is his amazing tale. 

     It was his first whaling voyage and he was aboard the whaling ship Star of the East.

The lookout spotted a huge sperm whale half a mile off the port bow and gave the cry 'There she blows!' The ship's sails were slackened and soon her small boats were lowered. A deadly race began between the Star of the East and the immense whale.

     Young James BartIey was in the first longboat to reach the side of the prey. They crept up from the rear, so near that the harpooner leaned over and rammed his weapon deep into the whale's vitals. As the stricken beast sought to free itself of the harpoon, Bartley and the other oarsmen rowed frantically to get out of reach of the massive flukes, the two-pronged tail which threshed the water to foam in the whale's agony.

     The whale sounded and eight hundred feet of heavy line streaked out of the line tub before he ended his dive. Then an ominous slacking in the line signaled the monster was going to surface. But where?

     The oarsmen readied themselves to pull for their lives. Without warning there was a splintering crash which sent the longboat spinning into the air. The whale thrashed about wildly, snapping at the men and the wreckage with its huge jaws as the water turned to a bloody froth before he sounded again.

     Another longboat picked up the survivors of this encounter, but two men were missing - one of them the young apprentice, James Bartley.

     The wind now deserted the Star of the East and for hours she lay becalmed, wallowing in a light swell.

     Shortly before sunset, the now dead whale floated to the surface a few hundred yards from the ship. In a longboat, the crew hastily fastened a line to the whale and the winch brought it to the ship's side. The hot weather climate made it imperative that the whale be cut up at once. Having no means of raising it to the deck, the men took their flensing spades and peeled off the blubber as they slipped and slid along the immense back of this giant mammal.

     Late that night, working by lantern-light, the tired crewmen removed the stomach of the whale and slowly winched it to the deck for flensing. They were startled to notice movement inside the large sack, movement that looked like something living and breathing. The captain called the ship's doctor who made an incision in the tough flesh. And out slid the doubled up missing sailor, James Bartley, as if he were suffering from severe stomach cramps. He was alive, but unconscious.

     The doctor ordered Bartley drenched with sea water, a treatment which restored his consciousness but not his reason, for he babbled incoherently.

     Confined to a cabin for several weeks and bound so he could not injure himself in his wild flounderings, Bartley gradually regained his senses. Within a month he was able to relate what had happened to him in his terrifying experience.

     Bartley said that as he was cast into the water from the long boat he saw a tremendous mouth open over him and he screamed as he was engulfed by it. He then felt sharp stabbing pains as he was swept across the teeth and then slid feet first down a slimy tube that carried him to the whale's stomach. He could breath, but the hot, fetid odor soon rendered him unconscious and the last thing he remembers was kicking as hard as he could at the soft, yielding stomach. Finally, he lapsed into unconsciousness until he again came to his senses almost a month later.

     As a result of his fifteen hours inside the whale's stomach, Bartley lost all the hair on his body and was blind for the rest of his life. His skin was bleached to an unnatural whiteness that gave the appearance of being bloodless, although he was healthy.

     James Bartley never made another trip to the sea and settled down to shore life as a cobbler in his native city of Gloucester, England. He died eighteen years after his remarkable survival and terrifying adventure.

     On his tombstone in the churchyard at Gloucester is a brief account of his experience at sea and a footnote, which says: James Bartley -1870-1909 - A Modern Jonah.

From: TRUE TALES OF TERROR ON THE HIGH SEAS

2010 DIYC BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Flag OfficersCommodore Bernie Chalmers 838-5800Vice Commodore Tom Hurley 838-7432 Rear Commodore Stan Hudson 838-7295Fleet Captain John Megrue 839-0222Membership Carol Luzzi 838-5040Treasurer John Zankowski 838-5768Secretary Peggy Lantelme 838-9990

Standing CommitteesSailing Captain Roy Crocker 838-2453Fishing Captain Tom Blair 838-5179Social Co-Chairs Jack & Deb Burke 838-4478

Dave & Pat Morris 838-4597Asst Social Chairs Dick & Geraldine Purdy 838-5195

Ed & Beth Hancock 838-7577TIDES Editor Perry Gesell 838-2995Asst TIDES Editor OPENTIDES Distribution OPENShip’s Store Paul & Joy Jacobs 838-5188Historian OPEN

The Doctor

A Doctor from the local Navy Base was invited to speak before the local Lady’s Club on the subject of sex. The doctor agreed to speak but later had second thoughts about telling his wife. That evening at dinner, and not wanting to have to explain to his wife, he mentioned the speech but told her the subject was on sailing.

"But you don't know anything about sailing!"

"Speaking is easy -- you just have to stay one step ahead of the audience and I’ll be fine."

The wife was unconvinced, but wanted to be supportive. A week following the event, his wife ran across the president of the Lady's Club. Asking how the speech went, the reply was, "Excellent! He was just great! He really knows his stuff and you can tell he has a lot of experience."

"Really?”, the doctor’s wife mentioned, “That's interesting, I’m so surprised he talked about that subject -- he's only done it two times, once he got seasick, then fell off and the other time it blew his hat off and he lost it.”

Dataw Island Yacht Club NewsletterThe Tides of Datha is published monthly as a source of information for the DIYC membership. Additional copies are available upon request. To submit materials for publication, please contact Perry Gesell at 838-2995, or e-mail at gesell.islandhome@gmail.com.