Launching Eleanor
April 13, 2009
On Thursday, April 2 at 1300 hours winds were blowing steady at 15-20 knots. The occasional 18-22 knot gust was certainly cause for concern. We modified our launch plan to accommodate the conditions and all was ago. The boat got off the beach well with Husham at the tiller and instructor Manuel also sitting on the aft seat. She sailed for about 100 meters in light breeze, not heeling on a beam reach. Eventually Eleanor passed the Muriel S and encountered stronger wind. From the beach, we saw the sail fill, the boat heel, boat speed visibly increase, and the boat fall off to a broad reach. We watched the boat correct course to avoid some of the moored sailboats, and then, after perhaps ten seconds, start to tack. The tack was not sharp enough and the boat stalled almost exactly upwind, then spun back to even further downwind than its previous course and accelerated. The safety boat, which had backed off somewhat to allow room for the tack, also accelerated and followed the Eleanor. We saw Manuel take the tiller; the boat was headed directly towards the inlet to the Aquatic Park, and by now was far enough offshore to get the full brunt of the wind. After several more seconds, they attempted a jibe, and swiftly capsized. The safety boat navigated by John Conway of the NPS swiftly retrieved the three students from the water. Manuel stayed in the water and, with help from a passing swimmer, tied the Eleanor’s painter to a line from the safety boat. The safety boat towed the Eleanor inshore of Balclutha and Eppleton Hall and then pulled Manuel into the boat. The damage to the boat was minor – the mast partner had cracked under pressure and opened a gap under the bow seat, which had flooded the float tank. Husham, Michael and Alix were no worse for wear and were quickly re-warmed to avoid hypothermia. The glorious launch of Eleanor was quite an adventure.
We are very thankful and appreciative of our partnership with the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park Association. Thank you to MJ, Josia, Seth, Maddy, Nick, Manuel, Adrian, John Conway, Jason, Alice, Al, Karnell and everyone at the Hyde St. Pier that is supportive of this program and the wonderful opportunities it provides.
