Monday 1/17/2011 Question of the Week answered

[Paul]

The 1860's and the south made its decision to seceed from the union. An immediate dilemma arose in that there were naval vessels - from the formerly United States - now in Confederate harbors. Should these and their crew be allowed to sail out (war had not beed declared by either side officially) or should they be considered Confederate since they were stationed in a now Confederate state, or were they captured vessels and spoils of war?

At Hampton Roads, VA, the question took a turn that changed the course of the war. The commanding officer (who favored the North) could not decide between the three options and was waiting for official orders from Washington. Meanwhile the towns people were at the naval base gate threatening to tear it down because in the harbor was the latest and greatest naval fighting vessel, just completed and delivered. Steam powered, as well as sail, it had fighting capabilities that were cutting edge for the time.

While the commanding officer waffled over the decision that needed to be made, a young leiutenant took matters into his own hands by using the cover of darkness to row out and set the naval vessel on fire. It burned to the water line and the north considered it safely removed from the potential of being used against them.

Question 1: Anyone know what became of this vessel?


Now for my real question: Stephen Falk, in The Fundamentals of Sailboat Racing, talks about the [/i]lifted tack and the headed tack. What are they, and when underway is one worth more than the other concerning speed and distance? Why, and how much difference?

[Bhacurly]

That wouldn't be the Merrimac, raised to become the ironclad CSS Virginia would it...

Getting a lift in racing is a good thing. It is a change in the wind that allows you to head closer to the next mark, saving distance, thus is faster.

A header is the opposite, a change in wind that makes tou have to fall away from the next mark, or tack all together. You have to sail farther, usually means slower overall.

I think

[Paul]

You're correct about the Merrimack. although it burned to the water line the steam powerplant, below decks, was intact and ready to be used. The upper portion was re-worked with iron, and warefare was changed from wooden to metal ships.

As for the lifting VS header tacks, I was looking for insight from you guys. I had never heard the terms before. Google wasn't much help either. From the diagram in the book it appears you are sailing windward and when the tack is heading into the wind, you're on a header tack. When going this direction you're not only moving forward but attempting to climb upwind. So while your forward progress may be the same, you have to point farther into the wind to end up where you want to go.

The lifting tack not only propells you forward but sideways towards your mark with the wind. The result is that you can fall off some and allow the wind to push you towards your determined destination.

OK, additional input as to whether I understand this is humbly solicited

[CaptainScott]

As far as the terms "Lifting Tack" or "Heading Tack" I've not heard the terms used exactly like that however as Billy described he used the terms as I am used to them and explained them accuratley.

As a recap of Billys comments.

Lets say you are sailing to a mark. The mark is dead upwind. Coming exactly off the mark. Now lets say you are on port tack. Now lets add another boat for confusion. They are headed to the same mark. They also are dead downwind of the mark. They are on starboard tack. Both boats are making the same speed towards the mark.

Nice!


Ok, like we all know the winds shifts all the time.
So in this story lets say the wind shifts to the LEFT of the mark. You, on port tack, can now change your heading slightly left or CLOSER to your mark!!!! YEAH! You are receiving a lift!!! Whoo hoo! The other boat who was on starboard tack now has to fall off, or turn away or further left of the mark to maintain his speed effectively making him turn away from the mark!!!!! HE received a header!!!

So the same wind shift can be a header AND a lift at the same time! It is all related to your perspective on the boat! Did the wind shift help or hurt you!!!


. . . again, just restating what Billy already said.

Scott

PS: For more clarity for the new sailors!

Port VS Starboard. ALWAYS picture yourself at the helm of a boat looking forward. The Port side is LEFT. The Right side is Starboard! Port and starboard on a boat NEVER CHANGE. If you are at the bow of the boat looking aft, Port is now on your right!!!!!

You can not sail dead upwind.
So . .
Port Tack means you are sailing up wind and the wind is coming from the Port side of your boat.

Starboard Tack means you are sailing to windward or upwind and the wind is coming off the starboard side of the boat!!

Hope this helps!

[Andiron120]

As for the rest of the story on the CSS Virginia, she was run on shore near Craney Island and set on fire after being abandoned; she blew up at 4.58 a.m., May 11, 1862.

[Bhacurly]

The history was interesting tracking down on line during slow time at work...

Well said Scott

Thanks!

[Paul]

In Coast Guard boot camp they taught that port and left both have the same numbrer of letters. That was in 1972. Since then I have completed 17 years of nautical service - and still remember it the same way.

[EmergencyExit]

In Coast Guard boot camp they taught that port and left both have the same numbrer of letters.

And port is a red wine, and the port nav light is red !

[Paul]

Confusing to me at first is that on the port tack your boom is on the starboard side. Somehow where the sails are doesn't dictate the wind position.

[Capt. Bondo]

The Mariner's Museum outside of Newport News, VA has a great display on the iron clads http://www.marinersmuseum.org/.
This is one of the best maritime museum I've been to.