Wednesday November 28th

This evening we started sanding and scraping the Tiller, the bilge was vacuumed and various hats and sunglasses were removed. Painting the rigging continued as well as blocks being oiled and there grommets painted. This week 9 volunteers attend the evening work session, including David Bugge, Mary Stephens, Walter Pascal, Jim Spurr, Chris Hess, Dan Sipple, Tim Bell, Rennee Newman and Eric Standen.

Saturday the 1st we will be removing the gun swivel, and continuing the tiller and rigging projects.

Jim Schneider

Saturday, November the 24th

This Saturday we scraped pins and put them in oil to soak for a few months and painted the lower yard foot ropes. More blocks where brought down to work on during the week and we sent the finished topmast shrouds and lower main stay heart aloft. The tiller was removed and brought inside to be sanded next Wednesday. Those attending today were Eric Standen, Jim Spurr, Mary Stephens, Walter Pascal and Ed Pratt.

Wednesday the 28th we will be sanding the tiller and working on board. Make sure to bring warm clothes.

Wednesday, November 21st

Wednesday the 21st there will not be an evening work session. Saturday the 24th we will be working on painting the rigging, cleaning the bilge and sealing the cover around the bowsprit so that we are able to refinish the deck this year.

Jim Schneider

These are Picture of the storm front on September 27th. The Coast Guard reported that it was moving East at 40 knots.

Wednesday, October 14th

This Wednesday we painted the main stay, topmast shrouds and a variety of other parts of the rig. We will be putting three coats on all of it. Blocks were sanded and made ready for refinishing, and more of the rig sent down from the loft for maintenance. 7 of our ships company attended making quick work of it. At this rate we should have the rig maintenance finished by January and then be able to focus on sail training. Those attending this day were Tony Appleyard, Tim Bell, Ray Warmoth, Dan Sippel, Mary Stephens, Jim Spurr and Eric Standen.

In the past 4 years we have gathered such a wealth of experience and knowledge in our volunteer crew that I strongly encourage you to participate in the sail training classes and pass along what you have learned. No one knows the Friends Good Will better than those who have sailed and maintained her over the past 3 seasons. By teaching these skills it will help reinforce what you have learned and it will allow you to see sail training in a whole new perspective.

This Winter and Spring we will be offering all of our sail training classes, and I will have a schedule posted by the end of the month. Classes will be held on Saturdays and some weekday evenings. If you are interested in assisting email me at Captain@michiganmaritimemuseum.org.

Saturday, November 10th

This morning Richard Edwards and Christina Cooper strung up and painted the main stay and bowsprit shrouds. Duane Coon replaced a piece of oak on the steps leading into the hold, then oiled them. He then reinforced the knee under the starboard settee in the aft cabin. Ed Pratt continued his daily work reconditioning blocks and painting rig. After lunch Duane and I pulled up the battens that are under the tiller as they were holding water and causing rot. We will be replacing at least two deck planks and also the battens themselves. Earlier this week David removed the cannon track as it has a similar problem. A productive day.



Jim Schneider

How we intend to use this Blog

I have often found it difficult to keep up with the ever changing contact list for museum volunteers from different computers, home and work. Often about 30% do not receive our emails for one reason or another. We will be posting all museum announcements on this blog so that we have an immediate source of MMM related info without the need to request it.

To reduce the size and bulk of messages, we will be posting additional information and pictures here that will not be emailed. My intention is that we are all able to access up to date information about the Museum programs at our convenience.

Sincerely,

Jim Schneider

Winter Cover 2007

The cover is on and the Friends Good Will is layed up for the winter. This Wednesday we rigged holdoff lines, prepared the interior for this winters work and put the last of the rig in the loft. Members of the crew have been comming in daily, scraping and oiling the blocks, painting grommets and making small repairs along the way.

This winter we will be working on the FGW Wednesday nights from 5-8 and Saturdays 9-5. Saturday the 10th we will be cleaning below decks, and painting standing rigging. Please email ahead if you are able to attend work sessions so that I may be able to make better use of your time. If you have any questions email me at Captain@michiganmaritimemuseum.org.