Captain's Blog

Arghhhhh… and a fine ship she is… This grand vessel just brings out the Capn in me… She’s beautiful, majestic and Gigantic…

A great day near the water to take pictures. It really had that nautical feeling with the light fog and such. Her first voyage was on January 12, 1899. She is 85.05m (279ft) and 13.32m (43.7ft) wide. Her complement was 31 officers, 50 cadets and 275 crew. She weighs in at 2,750 tons and cruises at over 11 knots.

I was priviledged to be invited into the Captain’s quarters (a courtesy afforded to Capn’s (one of those nice times that I can use rank))

The rudder on her is huge, I can picture her needing 3 men to steer in hard weather.

Bollards on a brass rail. It just makes you feel like “talking like a pirate”…

She was also powered by an engine, other than just the sails.

Arghhhh… blocks, shieves, bollards, lines, bights…

Definitely no cannon from a pirate ship. This puppy means business.

Oh… and they come in different flavors… Anyone got a cannon shell handy… I would really like to give it a try…

This could definitely poke an eye out…

And, then there are the seamen that used to climb this stuff… in any weather and any seas… All I can say is, “HANG ON”…

The wooden lifeboats were teak as was everything else topsides.

A melding of two worlds. That bridge doesn’t move, and neither does this vessel. It is now a museum. And, did I mention how beautiful she is???

Again, did I mention how beautiful she is??? I visited her for over 3 hours and took almost 400 photos. This was such a treat for a crusty old Capn and big boat fan…  This is the Google Earth link for the Presidente Sarmiento

Capn Scott

While walking around Buenos Aires and doing some local discovery, I shot a few pictures.

The first thing that you notice, is the amazing amount of beautiful women walking around.

And in the local eating establishments… They’re just everywhere…

Then there is the amazing architecture. You can see so many inflluences from other countries. This is the customs building.

A very french looking Department of Defense.

This is a statue to Christopher Colombus

This is the Central Mail office.

This is the Presidential Palace.

Nice view of the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace. It’s nice to see some of the traditions.

Next month are the Presidential elections. There seems to be quite a few demonstrations. And, the local Police force is always ready to keep it peaceful.

Making sure that they put up a nice presence.

These guys are good. Very amiable and I enjoyed talking with them. I didn’t feel any tension or animosity. They were there for a show of force only.

The demonstrators gathered in the local plaza.

The demonstrators came armed as well. Many had baseball bats and heavy sticks. I’m guessing they were there for a show of force also… Though I felt a bit safer behind the police line… No violence, just a peaceable demonstration…

Capn Scott