New Year's Morn

 

The first dawn, of the New Year, breaks sunny and still. No people abroad, nor a breath of wind. Only the silvery lap of the tide breaks the silence. 

It was on just such a morning, ten years ago, at anchor off Castle Townshend, on the southern shore of Ireland, that this tale began.

Stargazer's anchor windlass had uttered a series of protesting shrieks, upon being called to action, at our arrival. I had rowed ashore in search of grease, with which to soothe it. O'Donovan's store supplied food, petrol, gas, newspapers and friendly advice. But not grease. That, I was assured, was to be found in Baltimore.

This counsel proved sound. Alongside the jetty, in Baltimore, I split the gypsy from the gearbox. A shower, of fractured phosphor-bronze shards tumbled out. With no replacement parts available locally, my only recourse was to remove the shattered plain bearing entirely. Packing the drive with grease, in its place. That was in 2013.

As recently as last summer this 'temporary' arrangement was still in service. When Stargazer visited the island of Houat, in Quiberon Bay. But, the week before Christmas, it finally seized solid. Fortunately an updated model, said to have the same mountings and be compatible with Stargazer's switchgear, remains in production. An order was quickly placed.

In the tranquility, of the first hours of the first morning of 2024, I sit on Stargazer's foredeck sipping hot black coffee. Pondering how to create sufficient slack in the chain, to remove it from the gypsy, with the motor unable to turn the windlass. To my pleasant surprise, simply releasing the clutch, using a winch handle, does the trick.

As expected, the anchor shackle is rusted solid. Heaving on a heavy duty spanner, to undo it, shears the head off its pin. A fresh, fine toothed tungsten blade, in the ship's hacksaw, however effects a speedy release.

There is no more to be done, until Stargazer's new anchor windlass is delivered. Except to enjoy the serenity of this pristine New Year's Morn.