Sitka, Alaska-Moored next to a 107 year old piece of Ballard Fishing History

Sitka, Alaska-Moored next to a 107 year old piece of Ballard Fishing History

Sitka, Alaska – Moored next to a 107 year old piece of Ballard Fishing History.

Noodle and Lori flew back to Hawaii yesterday afternoon. Great crewmates and they will be missed.

Sharry and I departed Sitka this morning at 12:30 today, the 4th of July. We found ourselves underway heading into a thick wall of fog as we entered Peril Strait. We were in a hurry to catch the 1600 slack tide at Sergius Narrows because the max flood and ebb currents can run 8-9 knots and can create a standing wave.

While in Sitka, Starr was moored next to the fishing schooner, Republic. Some people might feel upset to be next to an old workboat like the Republic, but we felt honored. Republic is an 75ft wood schooner built in Ballard 107 years ago, and is getting ready to head out to fish Halibut in Adak. Adak is 1650 nm west of Sitka and 400nm west of where we were in Dutch Harbor. When they are done fishing for Halibut they will make the 2500nm run to Seattle to do their yearly maintenance in Ballard.

There are about 20 of these sturdy 100 year+ old schooners still working in the Alaska Aleutian Islands, fishing for black cod and halibut. These old boats have a 13-14ft beam and round bottoms. They can roll like mad.

Even the experienced crews often get seasick for the first few days of heavy weather.

For anyone interested in learning more about these schooners look at the YouTube movie Tordenskjold: Boat of the Century, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJe0xE64Hk8

or drop by the Seattle Museum of History and Industry to see it moored just outside in Lake Union.

 
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3 Comments
  • lyricsails@aol.com
    Posted at 23:36h, 04 July Reply

    SUBJECT: Re: Sitka, Alaska-Moored next to a 107 year old piece of Ballard Fishing History

    Don and Sharry—

    Fun to read about the Halibut Schooner. A hs classmate of mine Pete Knudsen sails a similar boat the Northern and his tales of long line fishing are gripping. Haven’t seen him for some time but your blog brought back lots of memories. Tad and Joyce

    Sent from my iPhone

    > On Jul 4, 2018, at 8:32 PM, Starr”s Blog wrote:
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  • d2a@capstanpartners.com
    Posted at 22:49h, 06 July Reply

    SUBJECT: Re: Sitka, Alaska-Moored next to a 107 year old piece of Ballard Fishing History

    How terrific to be next to the great halibut schooner Republic. You’re in good company. Travel well. Duke

    Douglas Adkins

    > On Jul 4, 2018, at 8:32 PM, Starr”s Blog wrote:
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  • Andy Howard
    Posted at 20:04h, 18 June Reply

    Incredible pictures Sam. Debbie and I really enjoyed them. You can definitely fly a drone. Very impressive indeed. Many thanks.

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