ARTICLE "NOWY DZIENNIK", august 2000"
"GOOD WINDS", author: Janusz Szlechta
"Zjawa IV" came to New York one day after great tall ships parade on the occasion of Independence Day. On the beginning she was moored between Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, later she was moved to the center of New York.
When I went to the airport to meet Magda Hajto and Monika Załęska, who were going to take part in the next leg, I thought that maybe I could taste sailing too. Captain of "Zjawa IV" agreed to take me when we were talking on the phone. "It is no problem" - he said, "we have a place for you…".
"Zjawa IV" was built in 1949 as rescue a vessel originally. In 1983 she was rebuilt and became a sailing vessel. She can take up to 12 persons. She came to USA participating in "Tall Ships Race 2000". From New York "Zjawa IV" was to go to Boston, Halifax and finally to Amserdam. This ocean cruise was organised by Witold Gizler - owner of Sailing School "Skipper".
On board
When we came on board we met two guys: tall, young man named Wojtek, and older grey-bearded Kazik. We were going to set sails next day. Wojtek showed us our places for sleep. I got a small bed under ceiling. There was a small kitchen and tiny bathroom with a toilet. When I put my clothes in my cabin, I went on the deck and I sat down close to Kazik. We were chatting for a while and then I asked where the captain was. Kazik seemed to be surprised. "Wojtek is a captain" - he said. "This young guy is a captain?!" - I couldn't believe it.
Wojtek Siodelski has started study on Technical University in Gdańsk in 1997. He achieved the rank of Yacht Master in March 2000, so it was only few months before! "Zjawa IV" left Gdynia on 1st of April without him. He joined "Zjawa IV" with his bosun in France 10 days later. Wojtek celebrated his 22nd birthday on Manhattan. It was 5th of July.
Our crew
Few hours later I met a bosun. He was a student of Martitime Academy in Gdynia, he had finished 4 semesters. He had his 22nd birthday on Biscay Bay in a stormy weather. Andrew Patton from Halifax came as next and after him Piotr Przygodzki and Lara. We were waiting for Stephanie - young girl from Newport. She appeared after midnight.
Captain gave an order to prepare to leave. Bosun immediately started an engine and we went down Hudson River. We were watching sleeping New York city, Manhattan filled with steel and glass and huge skyscrapers. "Zjawa IV" passed Long Island and only few crew members left on deck to have a watch, rest of us went to sleep.
New Rochelle
I woke up at 8 o'clock and went outside. We had a beautiful, sunny day. It was blowing freshly. We were anchored in New Rochelle. During our short voyage from New York few polish people joined us. They had a boat in New Rochelle and wanted us to see her. As soon as we anchored Ania, Janusz and Artur went to their boat "Nirvana". She looked very nice and was kind of a racing boat.
One hour later the owner of sailing school in New Rochelle visited us. He invited us for a lunch to restaurant "Front of Water". After lunch he gave us a lot of fruits and beer. He just wanted to thank us, that he could see polish flag on polish yacht. On the late afternoon captain ordered to set mainsail and foresail and we sailed towards the ocean.
High sea
When we were passing The Race Point we caught fair wind and current. We could do 9 knots and a land disappeared very fast. I remember someone saying: "there are 3 really delightful views -young, naked woman, horse in gallop and frigate under all sails…". Our "Zjawa" looked like a beautiful bird.
Piotr woke me up few minutes before 4 am, for a watch. I got steering wheel, Piotr and Andrew disappeared inside. I was fascinated to be able to steer that morning. I felt responsible for all sleeping crew. At 5 o'clock Stephanie prepared a hot coffee. We were sipping it and watching sunrise. At 8 o'clock we woke up next watch and then we started to prepare breakfast. The breakfast looked very tasty but I couldn't eat because I was sick I was lying on the deck and praying for a silence. Many of us were sick, fortunately our captain was very patient.
Kazik's story
I sat down close to Kazik, who was steering quietly and I thought he was very experienced. When I met him in New York, I was wondering how he became disabled. He used to spend a lot of time steering. He had paralysed legs.
I think Kazik was in his fifties. He emigrated from Poland to Canada ten years before. He wanted to live in Canada with his wife and two daughters. Unfortunately he had a bad accident 4 years before Tall Ships 2000. Doctors didn't give him a chance to walk. Kazik's wife wanted a divorce. He was very lonely with no friends lying in hospital somewhere in Canada. He met a nurse who gave him hope, that he could live normally. Kazik managed to walk slowly after 2 years of rehabilitation! They got married after few months.
Kazik was on "Zjawa" since June. He joined her on Bermuda island and was to leave in Halifax where he lived. Kazik couldn't afford to do all stuff connected with sailing but he was really involved crew member. It was very important for a man who loved the sea so much. He got a chance to check that he could sail again.
As far as I know when "Zjawa IV" reached Halifax Kazik asked all crew to his house. His oldest daughter was waiting for him. Kazik didn't see her for 10 years. She was going to start studies in Canada.
Sail Boston 2000
Wind strength decreased on Monday and captain ordered to start an engine. We didn't have time because great sailing parade was going to start on Tuesday. I woke up before midnight for a watch. There was so cold and dark. We didn't want to fall asleep, therefore we started to sing together. The moon appeared, and silver scarf was above our yacht. We could see dozens of stars. We felt delighted. I thought that moments like that would remain in my memory forever.
When Piotr and Andrew changed us, I went to sleep. I slept very well that night. When I woke up our yacht was waiting close to the main entrance of Boston harbor. Lot of other yachts and tall ships were surrounding us. It was sunny and windy morning. All vessels from Tall Ships fleet were sailing through a double row of smaller yachts and motor boats.
"Zjawa IV" was a member of 4th fleet with Canadian schooner "Higlander Sea", "Sherman Zwicker" and "Zenobe Gramme". "Juan Sebestian del Cano" -spanish four-masted led our fleet. "Pogoria" and "Dar Młodzieży" were participating in that parade too.
Governor of Massachusetts Paul Celluci and mayor of Boston Thomas Menino observed that spectacle. The governor said that it was great day for Boston and USA. In fact it was a great pleasure to see so many different boats gathered all together.
Farewell "Zjawa"
When "Zjawa"was moored in Boston our captain ordered "great cleaning". We cleaned deck, toilets, kitchen and our cabins. Organizers gave us a file with a lot of information about parties and other events for a crew. Next day, in the morning when the bosun was filling tanks with water I went for a walk. It was fascinating experience to see all those beautiful yachts and great, majestic tall ships. There were many tourists on every pier. I said good-bye to "Zjawa" after four days on board. "Zjawa" had still a long way to do. She left Boston on the way to Halifax. On the beginning of August she started her way back home. She had to cross Atlantic once again. Farewell "Zjawa". Wish you good winds!
