An article by Cody Lee about her experience aboard the Sultana for an innocent cruise of a few hours that turned into a bit more of an adventure than anyone thought!

On the 4th of August 2001, my husband Jack and I were among the passengers who had booked a cruise on the Schooner Sultana. Jack had given me this exciting cruise as part of an early anniversary gift.

At approximately 3pm, we left the dock at Hutchens Park in Harve de Grace, Maryland at the head of the Chesapeake Bay with Captain Gioia (pronounced Joya) Blix at the helm. Passengers were encouraged by the Captain and her crew to assist with setting the main sail and the jib.

Along the way we were given the history of the original Sultana and her place in the British Naby back in 1768. We were also told about how this fine vessel was built using the blueprints from that time and, of course, refitted and updated to today’s standards while still trying to keep the boat as authentic as possible.

We had a fine cruise along our course at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. On our return to the dock at about 4:30pm, the Sultana ran aground on a boulder just inside the channel. Prior to this incident, this boulder was unknown by the local watermen as well as to the Coast Guard and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. After the incident, they were notified of this obstacle so that it would not cause damage to any other vessel.

Fear not sailing vessel lovers, the Sultana was not damaged. She had managed to perch herself carefully at the keel of the boulder. However, after several diligent attempts by Captain Blix and the crew to remove her from the clutches of the big rock, the Sultana was resolved to wait for the tide to get free. I remember that the First Mate, Danielle, said that evening something to the effect of....tide and time waits for no man but we must wait for both.

The wait for the high tide would be several hours. Captain Blix advised that it would probably not be until around midnight when the Sultana would be able to drift free of her captivity. She gave the passengers on board the option to be ferried ashore by two small private powerboats that had come to the rescue or passengers could stay on board.

I was so excited to be on board, I wanted my time there to last as long as possible. Jack obliged my delight and we stayed on board, waving goodbye to those who opted to don life jackets and leave on the small boats to shore. Two others stayed on board as well, a friend of one of the crew and the brother of another of the crew.

While it may have been a pain in the neck for the crew of the Sultana to be stuck like this and to miss a reception back at the dock at 6pm, they did not show their frustration. They were the best of hosts in this unusual situation for non-crew members. As for me.....I drank in my surroundings and the activity on board like a sponge!

Interim cook, Michelle, treated us to a light shipboard dinner of anti-pasta, fruit and pie. I volunteered for galley duty and helped with the dishes.

Sitting there, in the clutches of the boulder, gave way to some idle time for the crew. Josh, a crew member and also a shipwright that put many long hours into the construction of the present-day Sultana, entertained us by putting together his own little rendition of the Gilligan’s Island theme by using the names and occupations of the folks on board. It was certainly reminiscent of the days of men on ships int eh 17th and 18th century (and before) when musicians were aboard and they entertained the crew with song.

Captain Blix announced a swim call and some of the happily went into the water to indulge int eh refreshing activity. Other acted as lookouts for safety. After the swim call, Captain Blix and her crew began work to move as much weight to the stern of the boat as possible to try and assist the Sultana off her perch. Some of th swivel guns were removed from their gun posts and placed on the deck at the stern of the boat. The two anchors attached tot he bow were removed and taken aft as well. During the course of this redistribtuion of weight, and about 8:45pm, the Sultana suddenly lifted up gracefully and began to drift off the boulder with the tide.

By 9pm, we were securely moored at the dock at Hutchens Park once more and we disembarked. It had been such a wonderful experience for me that Jack and I had to show our appreciation to the good captain and her crew for their hospitality. We left but came right back with a treat for the crew and were invited to visit on board for the evening as long as we wanted.

We made fast friends that night. The next day, much to my delight, I got a call from Captain Blix. She and her crew wanted to go ashore to have dinner together in town since they had missed the reception. Captain Blix had been wondering whom she could find that she could trust to watch the boat in their absence, and she thought of us! I, of course, said yes to the opportunity.

So on the evening of the 5th, Jack, me, and our daughters, Aaron Lynn and Jaclyn, boat sat while the captain and crew went for a much deserved shore leave. After they returned, we visited some more and were invited to spend the night on board if we wanted. But alas, Jack and I had work calling us the next day and so we had to politely decline the kind offer. Secretly, I left with a heavy heart because to spend the night on board a sailing ship whether she was on the waves or just docked would have been a grand adventure!!!

~ Cody Lee