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From the Commander
Cdr Vince Lombardo, P

Well, it's official. Summer is here along with the normal heat and humidity. The good thing is that Loretta and I are going to beat it a little bit this weekend, along with Terry and Corrin Marinko, by joining Joyce and Fred Wichmann and their three grandchildren aboard the beautiful vessel Mobjack for a cruise to Sandy Point. We expect to be joined by at least five other boats according to the count at the Membership Meeting on 10 July 2003. We're looking forward to seeing many of you there since a raft-up is something that was indicated as a desirable cruise type in the survey.

Other things are coming up and promise to be fun filled times, but I will let our Cruise Chairman Dave Walsh and our Administrative Officer Janice Kromer tell you about them.

It's time to get the Budget Committee rolling and look at some items that have been discussed in recent ExCom. Meetings. I need the Budget Committee folks to give me a call so a meeting can be set up to discuss some very important issues.

Let's not forget the Nominating Committee. The year is fast drawing to a close and details need to be worked out now.

One final item - Thursday afternoon, prior to the ExCom Meeting, Loretta called me and indicated that Janice Kromer must have been by the Headquarters Building and set up all the tables and chairs and it looked very nice. That evening, Janice came up to Loretta and asked if she had set up the tables and chairs. Apparently it was neither one. During the meeting I asked who had done this, without even being asked or telling anyone, and nobody at the meeting had any idea. P/C Fred Wichmann decided it must have been the spirits of Past Commanders, and everyone present said a "Thank You" to the spirits. Well, on Friday we learned it was actually Terry Marinko. Terry had been to a doctor's appointment and on his way home, set up the tables and chairs by himself. On behalf of the Squadron, "THANK YOU, TERRY!" What a pleasant surprise. P.S. He and Corrin didn't even come to dinner.

What an example of being involved. Let's all get involved!

Looking forward to seeing more of our members at meetings and functions. If you haven't been, come on out, we don't bite and you might even have fun.

Best Regards,

Vince.

EDUCATIONAL OFFICER
Lt/C Stephen C. Kromer, P

The good news this month is Steve Whitlock successfully completed Advanced Piloting. Next time you see Steve, make sure to congratulate him. Also, Allison Ryan & David Coleman successfully completed Marine Electronics. Congratulations to them both.

We are working on the class schedule for the fall. At present, we plan to start classes on Monday 15 September 2003, and we will offer the following classes:

Seamanship
Piloting
Junior Navigation
Engine Maintenance
Sail 101
Weather 101

We don't have dates and times yet, but we should know more by the time you receive this edition of The Palmetto Log. If you want to take a course either call me at 851-9112 or email me at skromer@tariffs.com so that I know how many people are coming and how many sets of class materials we'll need. Finally, keep an eye on our web site (http://www.usps.org/localusps/cps/) for additional information on the dates, time, and instructors. As soon as we develop the schedule we'll post it there. The September edition of The Palmetto Log will carry a complete schedule of the fall educational courses.

Hope y'all are having great summer.

Steve

SAFE BOATING THROUGH EDUCATION

EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Lt/C Charlotte Yeomans, P

Thanks to all who attended our July Membership Meeting. Our speaker, Robert New, was extremely interesting. Not all of us agreed with his point of view on expanding Charleston's port, but the differences of opinions made for a lively discussion. Special thanks to Joyce Wichmann for arranging for our speaker, John Van Way and Donna for the great bartending, and Mary Gulbrandsen and Loretta Lombardo for the magic they did in cleaning up our serving area. And we've found out that the mystery set-up person was Terry Marinko. Many thanks, Terry. Congratulations go to new member, Ricki Silveria, who won our raffle.

Please welcome new member, Grady Barnwell, who has transferred into our Squadron. And Jack & LeAnn Meyer have been accepted as members, contingent on Jack providing his certificate of prior USPS Boating Course completion.

We have been invited by Coast Guard Commander James Cash to visit the Coast Guard Cutter, Oak. The Commander will lead us on an hour's tour on 11 September. We will be Commander Cash's guests, and there will be no charge to our members for a very interesting and informative hour! We will not be having food on the Cutter, but we invite you to come out for an informal meal afterwards, if you would like to participate. We'll pick a restaurant and let you know further details as we get closer to September. Please be aware, however, if there is hurricane activity and the Oak is called for duty, or if there is heightened security for the 9/11 anniversary, we may have to postpone our plans.

Paul Yura of NOAA has offered to give our members a course on spotting upcoming severe weather. We will be meeting on Saturday, 20 September at 1300 at Headquarters. Paul's talk will last around two hours, and we will cover topics such as lightning, tornadoes, hail, waterspouts, etc. In the middle of hurricane season, this will be a timely reminder of the dangers of weather, so please plan on attending.

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, 9,October and we will be having a pot luck dinner at Headquarters. Since we will have much business to attend to, we will not be having a speaker. Our annual oyster roast at the Wichmann's will be in October, too, and we hope to announce a date soon.

That's about all the news for now. If anyone has any suggestions on activities or speakers for coming months, please remember to call me!

Janice

Hi Everyone! I hope you all have been having a great summer. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Lt/C Janice Kromer to the Charleston Power Squadron Bridge. Janice has jumped into the thick of thing in mid season as Administrative Officer. Janice has in the past been a wonderful supporter of squadron events. Janice has been the driving force behind the June and July membership meetings, and proven to be a terrific asset to our organization. Janice has plans for a number of interesting outings and meetings during the upcoming year. Thanks Janice for all your work, and we look forward to your enthusiasm in the days ahead.

Please make a note on your calendar, the Annual Squadron Business Meeting will be held at squadron Headquarters Building on 9 October 2003. The time of the meeting will be at 1830. As an active member of the Charleston Power Squadron, I urge that you take the time to attend this function.

I was on the water for the beginning of the Charleston to Bermuda race this year. While sailing and awaiting the beginning of the race, I was able to hail Fred Wichmann and the crew onboard the Mobjack from the deck of my Morningstar II. . We were two of the Power Squadrons representatives in the sea of boats that gathered to wish the field of starters the best of luck on their journey. This turned out to be a great chance to see the Charleston boating community in all its glory. Every size and manner of small craft was cruising the starting line. With the bang of a cannon the fleet of boats flew across the harbor. Sails and flags a flying, quite a sight to see, and even more exciting to be a part of. It seemed just a matter of minutes and the race fleet of 19 boats was nothing more than silhouettes on the horizon. If you ever have the opportunity to see or be a part of this type of event, don't miss the chance; it's something you will not soon forget.

Bob

A boater must have coined this phrase. I can think of no environment where the contrast between day conditions and night conditions is so pronounced, than when on the water. When twilight fades into darkness and familiar landmarks disappear, it's as if someone deftly plucked your boat off your favorite lake or bay and silently dropped it down in some strange realm. And this new place has no visible smokestacks or antennas along the shoreline. In fact, the only hint of a shoreline at all is the flickering of some lights on the now-invisible horizon.

A night cruise can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable pleasures of boating. The sun isn't scorching your hide or making you squint, the surface confusion caused by the wakes of too many boats has diminished, and an offshore breeze replaces the heat and humidity of midday. But night boating requires some special attention from the skipper. You can't see where you are, you can't see where you've been, and you can't see where you're going.

There is a natural tendency for a boater to want to use a searchlight or spotlight at night, just as one would use headlights on a car. But headlights won't work on the water. For one thing, you're not on a street or highway where other traffic will approach you from predictable directions. On the water, other boats may be approaching you from anywhere.
Secondly, other boats will not be using searchlights (headlights). The only way you'll have to spot them is by their green, red or white lights. And with both stationary and moving lights all up and down the shoreline and criss-crossing the surface of the water, it's easy to see why night boating demands a tremendous amount of concentration. Those who have boated at night will agree with me that navigation lights on boats are not very bright, and by the time you can see them, you can be dangerously close.

The other reason headlights would be of little use for boats is because boating is three-dimensional. Automobile drivers don't have to be concerned with what lies beneath their highways, but boaters must. Also, a spotlight shining on waves creates shadows and reflections that can look very much like fishing floats or debris. This causes the skipper to consider every sighting as a danger, when most are simply illusions. After a while and after a few "false sightings," the skipper easily can become complacent, opening up the possibility of missing the ones that truly do represent a risk
.
But the biggest reason we don't have headlights or use our searchlights for nighttime running is that we would temporarily blind other boaters, confusing them and perhaps causing them to make some inappropriate maneuvers…like into the path of our own boat.

So let's face it. We're all handicapped when we're operating our boats at night because we just can't see very well in the dark. Unless you're in big water, and a long way from shore with plenty under your boat and along your course, you should pay close attention to some basic principles of boating after dark:

1. Slow down. You can't judge distances at night as easily as you can when you have high visibility and a relative sense of distant objects. And you'll need more time to figure out what all the lights mean that are moving at different speeds, directions and distances relative to your own boat.

2. Arrange your interior lighting so that you are not blinded by your own illumination. I was on a boat one night that had an all-round white light mounted atop the windshield, and the reflection off the glass was so blinding I couldn't see the gauges on the helm station, let alone the bow. Make sure such lights are shielded, and keep your interior lighting dimmed.

3. Use your hearing to your best advantage. Sound carries across the water as if amplified. If your boat's SuperStupendousSonic Stereo System is on full blast, you'll miss some important clues given by approaching vessels, such as engine noise, horns, rushing water, sails flapping or even loud conversation

If you're a relatively new boater, and not comfortable skippering your own boat in the dark, try and go out with a friend as a passenger and watch and listen to what's going on. Night boating is a different ballgame…but one you can play safely if you follow a few simple rules and use good common sense.


Commander Bob's Boating Safety Handbook, www.commanderbob.com/

Come to Dataw Island on 2 August for a potluck picnic. We have reserved the marina's screened-in gazebo for our picnic. The gazebo is very large, located in a grove of trees, well shaded and cool with ample adjacent parking. So, rain or shine, we will be picnicking in cool bug-free comfort. Bring your favorite potluck dish. The Squadron will provide burgers, hot dogs and beverages.

Wendy Walsh says: come by land or by sea and join us for a fun-filled day on Dataw Island. The cost is only $5.00 per person and serving starts at 1700 hours.

Beaufort Squadron Invited
Plan now on attending. We have invited the Beaufort Power Squadron to our picnic. Dataw Island is a special place of scenic beauty with an absolutely first-rate marina. Come join us for food, fun and a chance to meet some new friends.

Directions to Dataw Marina
By Land
By car, Dataw Island Marina is about 6 miles past Beaufort. Follow Highway 21 through Beaufort, across the Beaufort River Bridge, go 5.5 miles and turn left onto Polowana Road. After about 1 mile, turn left on to Dataw Drive. Just across the bridge, stop at the Dataw Island Community gate and tell the gate attendant that you are going to the Power Squadron Picnic at the marina. Follow the signs to the marina.

Directions to Dataw Marina
By Sea
By boat, Dataw Island Marina is located approximately 3 statute miles southwest of ICW standard mile 521.5 between ICW markers "187" and "189". Turn south into Parrot Creek leaving Green Marker "1" to port giving Green Marker "1" a 100 yard Clearance. Use the red right return rule. There is deep water in Parrot Creek. The shoal on the NOAA charts at the entrance to Parrot Creek does not exist and there is plenty of water in the channel at this point. Follow the Parrot Creek channel to the junction of Morgan River and head west leaving Red Marker "6" to starboard. The Dataw Island Marina is on your port side as you proceed west on Morgan River. The Morgan River and the marina approach depths are 15 ft. or more at MLW. Most slips at the marina have 8 feet of water with 15-plus feet of depth at the outer docks. GPS coordinates for the marina are: 32 27.099 North/080 34.645 West. Contact Dataw Island Marina on #16 or #68 for docking and approach instructions. No activities are planned for Friday or Sunday (other than dock-talking and boat-lounging). However, the Salt Marsh Grill and Deli at the marina is open for lunch at the Deli and dinner in the Grill.

The September cruise is a noon lunch at Isle of Palms Marina on Saturday 13 September 2003. The restaurant at the marina is the Morgan Creek Grill, and those that have eaten there say the food is great! Come by boat or car. The Isle of Palms Marina is located at 50 41st Avenue, Isle of Palms, 886-0209. For more information, call Pamela Hicks, Cruise Captain at 557-0613 or David Walsh 556-3258 for more information.

In accordance with Squadron Bylaws, Article XI, Nominations, Elections and Voting, the Squadron Nominating Committee places in nomination the following members for the Year 2003-2004. If elected, they will serve until the Change of Watch in the fall of 2004.

Squadron Commander	Lt/C Charlotte "Cat" Yeomans, P
Executive Officer	P/D/Lt/C Mike Page, P
Administrative Officer	Lt/C Janice Kromer
Secretary	Lt/C Bob Gullbranson, P
Educational Officer	Lt/C Stephen C. Kromer, AP
Treasurer	Lt/C Loretta Lombardo
Assistant Educational Officer	1 st/Lt Mike Hamme, P
Assistant Secretary	1 st/Lt David E. Walsh, P
Assistant Treasurer	1 st/Lt Corrin Marinko, JN
Members of the Executive Committee	P/C Vince Lombardo, S
	Lt Dick Finn, AP
	Lt William "Terry" Marinko, P
	Lt John Van Way, SN
	Lt David E. Walsh, P
Members of the Rules Committee	1 Yr* PIC Daivd O'Hanian, SN Chair
	2 Yr * Bob Dodgens
	3 Yr* P/C Steve Yeomans
Members of the Audit Committee	1 Yr* Lt Cindy Kridler, AP Chair
	2 Yr* PIC David O'Hanian, SN
	3 Yr* Larry Lanz
Members of the Housing Committee	1 Yr* P/C Steven J. Yeomans, P Chair
	2 Yr* Pam Hicks
	3 Yr* Steve Kromer
Members of the Nominating Committee	1 Yr* P/C Billy Lynes, AP Chair
	2 Yr * P/C Steven J. Yeomans, P
	3 Yr To be nominated from the floor

Additionally, in accordance with Article XI, other nominations may be made by written petition, signed by at least five (5) Active Members in good standing, and filed with the Secretary at least fifteen (15) days before the date of the election at the Annual Meeting in October 2003. * Indicates carry-over from previous election of multiple years and does not require election.

Cdr Vincent Lombardo called the meeting to order at 1748 at the Headquarters Building. Those in attendance were: Lt Wendy Walsh, Lt/C Bob Gulbrandsen, P/D/C Ken Beeber, Lt David Walsh, P/C William Lynes, Lt John VanWay, Lt/C Steve Kromer, Lt/C Janice Kromer, Mary Gulbrandsen, Lt/C Loretta Lombardo. A quorum was established.

Executive: Lt/C Charlotte Yeomans: No report / not in attendance.

Educational: Per Lt/C Stephen Kromer: We are putting a class schedule together for the fall session and things should be finalized in the next few days.

Administrative: Per Lt/C Janice Kromer: The August social meeting is planned for the West Ashley Crab Shack, with a choice of meals. Glenn Applebaum is to be the guest speaker. September meeting is planned to be a tour of the Coast Guard Cutter Oak, situation permitting. We will need peoples phone numbers as the plan could change due to security or weather threats. There is a possibility of an informal dinner meeting spot after tour.

Treasurer: Per Lt/C Loretta Lombardo: The squadron is solvent. We have a number of members, 37 that have not renewed to date. We believe that a number of them are oversights. She has asked that our bridge officers begin calling the members that have not renewed.

Secretary: Per Lt/C Bob Gulbrandsen: The electronic vote is in and we have an approval for the new members application of the Meyers family pending their certificate approvals or retest.

Commander: Per CDR Vince Lombardo: Cruise for July 12 will be at Folly Island for a raft-up. David Walsh advised the low tide would be at 1319 for the raft-up.

Old Business: No old business was addressed.

The June membership meeting, 12 June 2003 was held at the Spirit of South Carolina boatyard in downtown Charleston. Larry Lanz, a Squadron member and Spirit project volunteer, introduced Charlie Sneed who oversees the Spirit project. According to Charlie, the Spirit began as a dream of local wooden boat fans. Design of the Spirit was inspired by the 1897 schooner Frances Elizabeth, that served as a pilot boat in Charleston harbor. Builder of the Francis Elizabeth was Samuel Pregnall who operated a shipyard, that once stood about 200 yards away from where the Spirit is now being constructed. Mr. Sneed explained that a copy of plans for the Francis Elizabeth were obtained from Smithsonian Institution. The Spirit's plans were developed from Francis Elizabeth's plans by a marine architect as a modern sailing ship, that is about half again larger and much stronger than the original schooner.

As expected, squadron members had many questions about the design and construction of the ship. Mr. Sneed answered our many questions showing great knowledge and patience.
Q. Will the ship have an engine? A. Yes, two diesels.
Q. Where will the propeller shafts be located? A. Through the hull on each side of the rudder.
Q. Why are the ship's ribs so close together. A. US Coast Guard specifications require the ship to be built much stronger than wooden ships of the past. Close placement of the ribs gives the ship greater strength to withstand heavy seas.
Q. What are the ribs made of? A. Live oak. Mr. Sneed said that live oaks are not protected and many live oaks are cut down to clear land for houses, roads, parking lots and other construction projects. His team has been given enough live oak logs from local construction projects to build the boat. In fact, the boat yard has a sawmill on site that can handle huge live oak logs.
Q. When done, how will the ship be used? A. The Spirit of South Carolina will be a working vessel promoting South Carolina and training students from South Carolina. Students aboard can get academic credit in navigation, seamanship, weather, oceanography, marine ecology, and history.

Mr. Sneed gave an account of the history of the original Francis Elizabeth. After long years of service the ship burned and sank in the Cape Fear River in 1912. Underwater archaeologists discovered the wreck of Frances Elizabeth with a sonar survey in 1993. Mr. Sneed hopes that dives to the wreck will recover artifacts and more information about the Francis Elisabeth.

Why do champagne bottles have that deep indentation at the bottom?

The deep indentation at the bottom of champagne bottles is there for a practical purpose, not just to cheat you out of a little of the bubbly. There are three main reasons for the indentation (referred to as the "punt"). The first relates to traditional design. It was found that a recessed cavity in the bottom made pouring from the bottle much easier, especially for people with small hands. Also, when you hold the bottle by the bottom lip, the warmth of your hands does not raise the temperature of the chilled champagne.

The second reason has to do with the history of winemaking. Historically, champagne bottles were stored horizontally for
fermentation and aging. By laying the bottles end to end, with the top of one bottle inserted into the punt of another, more bottles could be stored per bin.

The third reason has to do with the structural integrity of the bottle. Champagne is under pressure in the bottle. (Hence the
warning labels instructing you to aim the bottle away from people when opening. One champagne cork was shot a record distance of 109 feet, upon opening!) By having the indentation in the lower portion of the bottle, the glass is made structurally stronger

Next time you pour from a bottle of champagne for your friends, do it by holding the lip of the punt between thumb and forefinger. If you really want to impress them, tell them why the dent is there.

Source used: "The Thoughts for the Throne"
by Don Voorhees

Submitted by John Sikes