JonDLundyn Parker 2 chapter 3
December 26th 2006 19:13
Typical fully rigged schooner
Chapter 3
Te-Ahuni was sailing on a broad reach just a half-hour after clearing the North Pass of the Lord Howe Island lagoon. The wind was a steady nor-easter and her schooner rig hummed with her sails taut and her long sleek bow dipping to the Tasman Sea swell. The skipper and crew quickly adjusted to the new motion of the boat after having spent the last four days hanging off a mooring in the Island’s lagoon. With the boat now newly refuelled and watered and fresh food on board as well, they were hoping for a quick three or four day sail to Sydney Harbour, given that this wind was going to hold.
Terry Mahoney, skipper of Te-Ahuni ducked his head as he made his way down the companionway steps into the main cabin. He pulled off his sunglasses and doffed his peaked cap and addressed the owners Paul and Margaret Murray who had purchased Te-Ahuni in Canada and had employed him to sail her back to Australia. “Winds about fifteens at the moment and in the right direction. We are getting about seven or eight knots across the ground and if we get a lift from the East Australian current later that could improve. It’s a bit fickle in some areas but we may get lucky.”
Paul nodded acknowledgment. He was holding a paper fax in his hand. “The Bureau has just put this out. It shows a low pressure system escaping from its usual route across the top of Australia and working its way down along the reef”
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