Sitting on the deck this afternoon, enjoying the bright sunshine before class began, I closed my eyes for a few brief moments and simply listened. I have always thought it interesting how we describe the experience of sailing. Schooning or ghosting along and smooth sailing are often used terms. Today as we scream along at 10 knots or so, toward Barbados, I close my eyes and listen to a very different style of sailing. As an engineer my sense for sound, and changes in sound, is my leading tool in detecting those subtle changes that may court problems on board. Today under a bright sun with my eyes closed, I listen to the whole ship as one. The creaking of the head rig, the groan of the main gaff throat, the thud of hatch covers as they open or close, water sloshing in deck barrels, flags flopping, sheets snapping and sails filling with air giving off that familiar snap. These are the sounds of the schooner deck. Back aft the glorious voice of a helmsmen singing is interrupted by sounds from the galley below. Another pile of pots and pans has seen fit to make its way across the room sounding off a big crashing noise followed by low muttered curse words. Below, the mournful cry of a puppy who wants to come up on deck to play. From deep below I can faintly hear the painful whine of a black water pump, the churn of a gray water pump, and faint whoosh of a head being flushed. The engine room offers the usual array of generators whining, watermakers screaming, and panels humming. The big engines are at rest this afternoon, but we are all familiar with their deep groan when awake. I am awakened by the sound of 100 tons of wood ship cutting through the next wave. Time for class! Creaking, groaning, thudding, sloshing, flopping, snapping, singing, crashing, muttering, cursing, crying, whining, churning, whooshing, screaming, humming, and cutting. Life is Good!
 

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