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The dockyards of the British Royal Navy in Portsmouth are a sprawling 30 acres, with graving docks and locked basins throughout.  It is a near perfect setting to display to the public this large group of vessels of all types, from all over the world.  It is called the International Festival of the Sea - one of the biggest tallship gatherings in the world. The Festival is also a great way to remind the public of what the Navy is. 

PRIDE II is in a fine spot, located in what was probably one of the very first basins and locks created way back during the English and French Wars, or maybe even before.  Today, this is where Lord Admiral Nelson's flagship VICTORY is preserved.  For the festival, PRIDE II, along with other numerous "period" vessels are "locked" into Basin #1, represent days gone by.

Outside this basin, the festival participants range from modern tall ships and warships, to racing yachts and cruising yachts, all the way to the classic reproductions or originals from near and far yesteryear. 

In between all of these vessels are the concert tents, product display tents, food tents, tents of historical subjects and artifacts, and outdoor displays of military training exercises.  The whole place is one very large maritime festival of maritime fun.  Shanty music, along with military drum and bugle corps, march around from various nations punctuating the day.  There are jugglers and folks dressed up in various costume.  Some are even on stilts to accentuate their message.  We've even seen what appears to be some of King Neptune's under sea castle guards dressed in "snail" garb, riding those electric powered two wheeled human transporters-just gliding around with bubbles streaming out behind them as if they were under water.  Everywhere we look, we see Festival actors of one kind or another.

Tomorrow we head off for Waterford, Ireland, and the first of this year's two International Tall Ships Races organized by Sail Training International.  These Races are hosted by the ports at the start and end of each race.  This will be only the second time PRIDE II has been a part of the European international tall ships races.  The first time was in 2000, during the Tall Ships Millennium Race across the Atlantic.  There is some collective anticipation about PRIDE II's participation, as she did very well back in 2000.

Our sail to Portsmouth from the Kiel Canal turned out to be quite sublime.  We had unusual weather for the time of year.  We experienced northeasterly winds, which are not common, but were particularly suited for sailing toward Portsmouth, rather than having to motor against the prevailing southwesterlies. 

While the assembling logistics of the international fleet was going on, PRIDE II's crew jumped into maintenance and took advantage of two whole days of very fine, dry weather. 

Unfortunately, the actual day of the International Fleet Review did not provide great weather.  Rain threatened all day and finally arrived late afternoon in the form of intense rain squalls.  Luckily, for the guests aboard PRIDE II, we missed the intense areas of the rain and really only had sprinkles.  However, the cloud cover made for some disappointing viewing.  Still, the fly-by of the Red Arrows (Britain's equivalent of our Blue Angels) was a sight to behold, with their bold red color, followed by their smoke trails of red, white and blue.

Fortunately, the rain lifted and the sky became partly clear by evening, just in time for the re-enactment of Nelson's piercing through the Armada's offensive line.  We were informed by one of the guests aboard PRIDE II that there was a "simulcast" of a radio show geared to the re-enactment.  When we got PRIDE II's deck speakers going with the radio show, there was not a word spoken aboard as we all listened to the history leading up to the Battle of Trafalgar, and the dramatization of the death and destruction, marked by choreographed fireworks.  The whole evening was dazzling and dramatic.

Since then, we have been on display to the festival visitors and to our sailing brethren from around Europe and the world.  The Indian Navy tall ship TARANGINI is here. PRIDE II sailed with her during the Great Lakes Tall Ship Races back in 2004.  The crew and PRIDE II have been visited by several sailors and officers saying hello to friends or bringing hello from others.  There have also been those coming to scrutinize what has often been described to me as "the most beautiful schooner in the world."  Just last night, we had a Royal Naval officer aboard commenting on how "naval-like" PRIDE II appeared, in terms of being clean and ship shape. 

I think he knows what he is talking about, as not only is he a Naval Officer (reservist) with sea going experience, but as a civilian, he is a professional pilot for British Airways.  A pilot of a big commercial plane is often an individual who is exacting in his expectations.  Combine this with the tradition of "ship shape" and the Bristol Fashion traditions of the Royal Navy, and I think the compliment can be described as sober and sincere, rather than merely idle flattery.

Cheers,
Captain Miles