We left Nassau the first week of July 1996 aboard Sailing Vessel Royal Affair, bound for New York City. I’d never been to New York and was excited about the visit. The 90-foot charter sailing yacht was one of two owned by my employer — we’ll call him Homer. I took care of his second boat, a Nelson-Marek Morgan 45’ named Memories. For this trip, I was loaned-out crew. The others on board were professionals. A British married couple filled roles as steward and first mate. A young South African sailed as ship’s engineer. The captain was an older gentleman who was hired on just for this particular voyage.
Three days into the trip, we learned of a storm named Bertha brewing in the Caribbean. A day later, it seemed likely that Bertha may chase us to New York and possibly catch us. Homer contacted us via single sideband radio with instructions to get me off the boat and back to Charleston. Bertha was threatening, and the Morgan needed securing.
We entered New York Harbor, sailed past the Statue of Liberty, then veered south toward a long pier jutting out from the New Jersey side. I said good-by to everyone, then jumped off the bow onto the pier. The pier led to a yacht club where I sat down at the bar, ordered a beer and asked where I was. “Jersey City” answered the bartender. “Can I use your phone?” I asked. “I need to call a cab.”
Soon I was aboard a jet destined for Charleston. The next day, in preparation, for Bertha’s arrival, I removed Memories sails and canvas. I tied what seemed like a thousand bowlines to a thousand cleats. I spider-webbed Memories to the dock with hundreds of feet of line.
Finally, I left to secure my house, but by then Bertha had shifted her sites onto Wilmington, NC.
Later that evening, as Bertha rubbed her belly against Folly Beach, I met up with (pre-shaken) Rick Martinez and Ray Haggerty for an impromptu (and unpaid) jam at the Crab Shack’s predecessor, Marker 24. I played the trombone. Rick and Ray played guitar.
Bertha, an early storm, spared Folly Beach, but was one of two Hurricanes to hit Wilmington in 1996. The other was Fran, a Category 3 storm that landed in early September with 120-mph winds and a 10-foot storm surge.
I’ve still never made it to New York City. Hurricane season started June 1. Check your insurance and buckle up…
Captain Anton DuMars, a long-time Folly resident and coastal geologist, sails aboard Spartina. Follow the Salt Marsh Diaries blog at sailspartina.com. Give Anton a shout at sailspartina@gmail.com
