This morning’s row brought with it thoughts of times past when Whitehall’s were more than recreational vehicles. Times when exploration under sail and oar was opening up new worlds, new opportunities and new challenges. Whitehall’s or small craft like them featured in those times  to ferry sailors and gear to and from sailing ships that stood off shore to avoid the hazards of maneuvering close inshore under sail alone. They were seaworthy and fleet under oar and capable of standing out to sea in their own right!

Why such thoughts this particular morning? Well, the beautiful and accurate replica of Cook’s Bark “Endeavour” had arrived in Port Lincoln the previous day and was anchored up under the lee of Stamford Hill. She was making her official entry into a berth this morning and staying for a few days to be open for public inspection. It seemed like a nice thing to do to row over to her early, whilst she lay at anchor, and watch her get under way at close quarters.

Seemingly adding to the authenticity, the wind was sou’east at around 12 -15 kts – had been all night and for a couple of days before that! Endeavour’s anchorage under the lee of Stamford Hill lies sou’east of Lincoln city and about three miles from my usual launching ramp in the Lincoln Cove Marina. Such conditions make for a strenuous pull – the wind was on the nose and so too the slop built up over the preceding days! The three mile distance took about an hour to traverse in these conditions – much quicker coming back though. It’s always prudent to row the first leg of any jaunt upwind or at least to ensure that the last leg is the easiest. This day the downwind return was very welcome and even assisted by the occasional surf down the face of the bigger waves.