FYI:
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stori...&zIndex=169409
(includes videos)
Synposis:
Tall ships do 'battle' on the bay
San Diego Union-Tribune
SAN DIEGO — Amid the sailboats, partyboats and speedboats gliding on a
calm San Diego Bay, two vessels from a long-gone era stood locked in a
mock battle yesterday.
The Californian, one of two 19th-century replica tall ships, turned
and danced on the water, looking for a position of advantage against
its opponent, the Lynx.
“If we were to fire right at his stern, it's pretty much over for
him,” Capt. Chris Welton said as the shorter, lighter Lynx sailed by,
firing its deck guns with an earsplitting boom.
....
As part of its fundraising efforts, the Maritime Museum of San Diego
hosts mock battles several times a year during which employees and
volunteers demonstrate many of the same tactics used to patrol the
West Coast during the Gold Rush.
Patrons pay $40 to $65 for the opportunity to board the vessels and
watch a piece of history play out on the water. The next mock battle
is scheduled for Saturday, according to the museum's Web site.
....
“I've never been on a ship like this when it was moving and shooting
guns,” said Phillip Hermann, 13, who lounged on the quarterdeck with
fellow scouts Kevin Wylot and Spencer Dalton, both 11.
....
When the smoke cleared and both vessels had exhausted their supply of
black gunpowder, it was difficult to tell which side had won. No one
aboard either ship returned with battle scars, unless you count
sunburn.
Union-Tribune