Comment

Comment by H.E. Ross on January 3, 2011 at 4:31pm

It occured to me that I should have been giving more to this forum but have let my busy nesses keep me doing other things.

 

We are presently finishing the restoration of a 40-foot ketch that my partner and I purchased at Marina Smir on the North coast of Morocco. Our plans are seemingly changing with the wind as we first had thought to do the North coast of Africa to Tunisia, thence on to Turkey. Then, we were just going to go to Tunisia and back to the UK. Now, we are going to gunkhole southern Spain, explore the North coast of Morocco and maybe go up the French canal system back to the UK. That's what sailing offers- the freedom to make those choices at a moments notice.

 

The whole thing does have a merit which is the study of the actual histories contained in these areas that are not normally more than touched on. Specifically for my interest are the various evolutions of the lateen sail rig within the Mediterranean Basin. This rig is the oldest on earth and is used on every sea throughout this earth. It was probably the first rig to move people from the continent of Africa to populate the world. Just another one of those little things that are the basis for our heritage that seems to have been ignored by most of us.

 

If anybody is interested in our wanderings let me know and I will keep you posted.

 

There is also a programme that we started in London that is restoring an Egyptian Dhow replica and they need assistance if anybody is interested. As stated in my latest response to the Ghanaian dive project, none of the youth in the Know YourSelf! Programme know how to swim.

 

Ross

Comment by H.E. Ross on April 5, 2010 at 12:31pm

Bhek and the rest who are still on this forum:
First, the link for the Maritime Arts Institute is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maritime-Arts-Institute/312426430638
in the Baltimore-Annapolis area. Also, contact Blacks of the Chesapeake, Vince Leggett might be able to refer you to somebody.

Next, I feel I have to apologise for not moving with this particular aspect of DIA in that I saw a very storng reason for its creation and do have a captive audience of those who might join to share the Atlantic Caribbean maritime history and heritage I have been collecting and documenting for the past 30+ years under sail.

My son is trying, when he has the time, to put together a website for me and I can use that to place the materials and illustrations in and I have our old website at www.maritimeheritage.tc that we created when I was doing the Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Federation.

We live in London now, a bit away from the sea but am still doing Black maritime heritage presentations, mainly focussing upon what are termed, over here, 'urban youth' and getting them aboard a variety of vessels after a preliminary lecture series on African and African Disapora maritime involvement. The lecture is called, Black Folk Don't Sail and that title is with a bunch of Bahamians on their Sloop's weather board with thumbs and fists up in the air. It goes from African migration through to what is happening in the Caribbean and Chesapeake today with Black involvement with working and pleasure sail.

I will try and be more diligent about what comes my way and what I have to offer.
Ross

Comment by Bhek on January 22, 2009 at 9:16pm

Anyone here sailing in the Annapolis area?

Comment by H.E. Ross on December 8, 2008 at 3:53am

First thanks Dennis for placing a forum here for those of us who navigate the waters above the surface. Being a maritime heritage writer and organiser can sometimes make the world a lonely place to talk over our long involvement with the sea and voyaging. And this is an important aspect of getting our people involved with what most psychiatrists agree is one of the greatest stress relievers around- sailing.

Comment by Darrick Linton on July 25, 2008 at 7:45am

Hey Dennis,
Thanx for the start-up. I hope to learn more about sailing and increase my knowledge.

Comment by Mariesa F. Haseltine on July 11, 2008 at 2:15pm

Hi Dennis,
I should tell you first that my family owns an 18-ft Trophy, with a 275 Evinrude engine! I love the speed on the open water, I love the flat calm water in front of me and wake I leave behind me! But I get my moments when I wish for silence on the water; I figue a sailing boat might afford me that silence.

Board Member Comment by Shaun Anderson on July 10, 2008 at 4:43pm

Thanks Dennis!
We're elated that you have agreed to lead up this group. I'm also very excited about learning how to sail.

Comment by Jayson Jackson on July 10, 2008 at 10:55am

Thanks for creating the group Dennis. It will be a great opportunity for many people to establish connections in the sailing world and beyond.