1930 Schooner MISTRESS

Timothy returns from Germany after graduating from The Ohio State University and helps Skip load up sails.  We will launch today, and sail tomorrow.  We need those sails on board.

She is all loaded up and ready to be splashed.  That's Skip and Tim in this picture.

The builder and his boat.  Skip has come a long way with MISTRESS. 

Skip's toast!

A shot of rum for the old man in the sea to make him happy.

A shot of rum for MISTRESS to keep her happy.

A shot of rum for the builder because I am happy.

Traditions says all here must have a shot of rum too.

This is an 8am launch and I wonder, considering all this rum, maybe we should have scheduled it for later in the day.  But high tide is now, the builder is more than ready, so we launch and drink rum.

Good friends come from near and far to help us celebrate this wonderful day.

Year's before launch day, Skip did work on a customer's boat.  As a bonus, the man who was a wine connoisseur, gave Skip a bottle of Dom Perignon - 1978.  I could never convince Skip to let us drink it instead of smashing it on MISTRESS's bow. So here you have it, MISTRESS is christened with a very good bottle of champaign.

 Splash!

MISTRESS does her first turn.

Good friend Rick will always be First Mate.

Captain brings her to the dock.  I pray he does not look over his shoulder to see the other boat needing attention laying on her side.   

Friends gather to have a closure look. 

Skip dresses ship to celebrate.

Skip, Tim, Rick, & I take MISTRESS for a quick run up the river.  She does very well.

We bring MISTRESS to her slip and the party begins.