7/9/08
Position 56 48.6N 55 54.5W 1200 Greenland time. (Will probably switch to Labrador time tonight or tomorrow) Slowly making progress south. Finally got a favorable tack late yesterday sailing south and east. Had to reef around 2100 and shock it out at 0500. This crew has mastered reefing in all conditions, less than 40 min. from All Hands call to standing down idle hands with sail reefed and reset. Wind now has dropped out, so we are now motoring toward Battle Harbor. Will need to monitor fuel consumption - first possible fuel stop will be Red Bay beyond BH. Looks like a low will be approaching and may help our cause over the next 48 hrs. Hoping to arrive by the 13th. Beautiful sunny day, airing out midship cabin and wearing sunglasses for the first time since leaving Greenland. Even in foul weather it is noticeably warmer. A south wind actually has some warmth to it! This morning (midnight to 4 watch) sighted Jupiter and one star - the first we have seen in nearly a month! We are all anxious to complete this passage, visit BH, and begin the Canadian Maritime leg of our voyage.

7/10/08
Position 55 04.3N 55 38.3W
Making progress south. Motorsailed most of night. Beautiful sunset @ 2300 and we were able to shoot stars for a good celestial fix @ 0015. With the extended twilight Polaris was easy to shoot for a night time latitude. The crew is enjoying the calm conditions and yesterday's sunny weather, many of us taking deck showers. Water is cold, but noticably warmer than Arctic waters (your head doesn't instantly hurt when you pour the bucket). We should make Battle Harbor by 7/13 and possibly the 12th if we get some stronger wind. Shut down engine @ 0500 and are now sailing under full canvas at close to 6 kts.

7/11/08
Position 53 06.1N 55 31.6W 1045 S Labrador time (+1.5 hrs from Maine)
It seems the Labrador Sea is trying its best to prolong our relationship. Winds are directly from Battle Harbor to our location. Our options are 2 to 3 days of working to weather under sail or steaming for 12 to 15 hrs. With relatively calm seas we have employed the Cummins diesel in hopes of a near midnight arrival outside of Battle Harbor. This morning we sighted land for the first time since leaving Greenland on the 5th, a week ago. We will anchor outside of BH tonight (hopefully) and slide in tomorrow morning We can now receive Labrador/Newfoundland weather reports via VHF. Forecasts predict more head winds after departing BH at least through Tuesday of next week - hopefully we will get a break as we make our way south in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is noticeably warmer and we now have true night watches, darkness for several hours. We are having to acclimate to working on deck without the benefit of sunlight/twilight. Although this passage is several hundred miles shorter than St. Johns to Nuuk many of the crew feel it has been longer. We have worked harder for each of the miles gained south and stretching our legs ashore will be a welcome reward.
Crew member Chris Dimock volunteered to switch roles with our cook, Jill Hughes, for the day. Chris put out a good breakfast and Jill is enjoying the work on deck. It is currently sunny and pleasant on deck. Ice bergs are scattered along our route and we are closing in on the coast to have a better view of the Labrador.

7/13/08
We finally got a north wind and sailed to Battle Harbour @ 2135 Friday, 7/12. It was hard to believe there was sufficient depth under our keel as we entered with a bold rocky island just feet off our starboard rail. It was also hard to imagine a fleet of fishing schooners moored in the harbor that felt only just large enough to turn the boat around. Over half the population of the island greeted us at the dock and caught our lines (40 people). This was always a stop for Bowdoin on her northern trips and it was great to see pictures of her in several of the museum displays. With the help of the Battle Harbour staff we were able to clear customs into Canada. Our hosts treated all the crew to dinner last night (snow crab legs and carribou chilli!) We hiked around the island, had access to laundry and showers, and each night took part in a community sing along. A pleasant stop after a challenging passage across the Labrador Sea. We departed at 1200 with a lot of fanfare and are now making our way west through the Straits of Belle Isle, bound for the harbor of Red Bay. We are well fed and rested and ready to make our way south to Cape Breton Island and the Bras d'Or Lakes. MANY THANKS TO MIKE EARL, GAIL PEARCY AND ALL OF BATTLE HARBOR FOR THEIR WARM HOSPITALITY,
AND TO THE CANADIAN CUSTOMS AND BORDER STAFF AS WELL, THAT ASSISTED IN MAKING THE BOWDOIN'S PASSAGE INTO BATTLE HARBOR POSSIBLE!

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