Helping The Cause (Guest Writer... Dave)

This crew was recruited to move 4 pallet loads of used schooner rigging. The spars and rigging had just made the journey from Kingston, Ontario. Dave Wright, on my left, is spearheading the restoration of the Bahamas Tall Ship, WILLIAM H. ALBURY, built in 1964. The rigging was salvaged from a wrecked schooner on Lake Ontario. The William H. is 70 ft. long overall. and made of wood right here on Man-O-War Cay. It was a masterpiece and showcased the talent and resourcefulness of the shipwrights/builders on Man-O-War Cay.

 David Wright was able to procure every piece from the deck up. Here is a pallet load of masts, booms, hoops, and standing rigging that will be modified to fit the William H. It made the journey from Canada on a flatbed tractor-trailer to the Port of Palm Beach where it was loaded on the freighter Duke of Topsail for the trip to Abaco. From there it was lightered aboard the Carib 3, and unloaded at the lumberyard wharf in Man-O-War.

 Our crew of 18 moved about 5 tons of misc. rigging, sails, and spars by manually slinging it. We felt like the Egyptians building the pyramids!!  This was a priceless find by Dave Wright, who drove his 1928 Ford Model A to Canada from Massachusetts to survey his find and arrange to get it to the Bahamas. His vision and tenacity will get this schooner sailing again. There were 3 of us from Hope Town who helped with this part of the endeavor.

 The entire project is done on a shoestring budget. The shipping and duty fees had to be paid for but the bill of used materials and the workspace was donated. These guys are resourceful. It might look like a load of junk, but this is valuable stuff if this ship is to sail again.

 After the move, I ran tours out to the boat. This group had the journalist from the Abaconian newspaper on board. The William H. is moored in Eastern Harbor, minus the rig. Walkabout is tied alongside. I would have no idea where to start this project. David found the William H. in Jamaica where it was at the end of it's service life and left on a mooring to die. He cobbled it together for the motor trip of 800 miles back to Man-O-War. He acquired it 4 years ago for the past owners bar bill at the local watering hole. $200 and it was his.

 This was once the flagship of the Bahamas and has been through many owners and lives in its 54 year history. A lot has been done and there is a lot to do. A wooden boat is never finished anyways, and this is no exception. It is a special feeling to be on deck and wish that this ship could talk.

 Dave Wright is a tireless storyteller and promoter. He will tell stories and play his mandolin to any audience who will listen. The ship is a strong inspiration to all who learn the story. He is 76 years old and the ship keeps him going. I admire him for his vision.

 Two views looking fore and aft. Forward is an ancient yachtmans anchor. Yours Truly at the helm. The LADY DI is tied along the starboard side. This is Dave Wright's personal mode of transportation. It is a 22 ft. Man-O-War built cruiser sailboat. This guy has saltwater in his veins!!

I have no doubt that this project will sail again. I only hope David W. can be around to see it through. The project is immense and there are many unanswered questions about the logistics of the restoration, future, and actual use of the ship. You can't help but to be inspired by the story and the project.