Still alongside in Whitehaven waiting for the high tide at 16:00hrs, the weather was cloudy. After a hearty breakfast and 'happy hour' we continued with the safety briefings, followed by our first evacuation drill. Everybody reported to their muster stations and donned their life jackets, watched by a small group of onlookers on the quayside.
After lunch the next objective for those willing and able was to go aloft with guidance of permanent crew. It was not long before they were there again to let off the gaskets (small ropes holding the sails on top of the yards) and then pushing the sails off into their gears ready to be hauled from the deck when there is enough wind.
As 16:00hrs approached, activity increased as the 4 linesmen go ashore as well as the party to get the gangway onboard. The pilot came onboard to aid with our departure from the Port. This involved a tight zig-zag manoeuvre as the captain and pilot expertly guide the bow of the ship turning into the comparatively narrow port entrance.
As we left the quayside we were given a single gun salute and waves from onlookers. About 1 hour after leaving we tacked (turned) ship before having a lovely roast chicken supper followed by strawberries and cream.
The day ended with a sunny evening and several more sail changes because of fickle winds (plans C, D, E, etc).
Update By: Pat Power and Chris Mansell, Aft Starboard Watch.