As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII

[All the world's a stage]
by William Shakespeare
Just a Saturday Day in the Land of Steam !!!!

Jaques to Duke Senior All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances;

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion,Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

I really like this DJ booth .. ((good stuff Duke ))

Yes yes It was the Clockwinder's Rez Day "Breakfast of Champions" Party !!!!

Then Later that Day .... flew over to Armada for their Ball it was great fun !!

DJ Rem did a great Job with a grand and most different Cool sounding Techno Riffs ..

all did dance..and then Later that night ...Breezy indeed did get to twirl the night away *Grins*

Who Knew ????

Steam Punk " teletubbies" how wicked Fun !!!


An introduction to Weta's and Pukeko Pictures new TV series about two young aliens who land their spaceship in a zoo and spend their days exploring their new environment, The WotWots .. I mean who doesn't want to grab a bowl of their favorite cereal and watch em ??

*Thoughts in the Rain *

It takes a minute to like someone, and hour to love someone,
but to forget someone takes a life time................*smiles*

Recap: Your best Dressed Robber Barons

This event was a most special one .. (( humble view aren't they all ))
But if you knew what was going on in behind scenes you would ..grins..
You would understand why it takes Breezy a few days to recover process her notes with photos and names to give the prizes and then find and track each one of YOU down :)
Some highlights for me ..
the delivering of the smoke stacks
spending a few moments with each of you that I was there to greet over the three days they where dropped off !
I enjoyed Meadow and seeing hers very much !! Gosh I enjoyed each one of YOU and all of them very Much .. All 13 (imagine .. Who knew !! ))
A most special Thank YOU to Doctor O .. This Wonderful dear evil Man helped this event a great deal Between his Fun evil Money Gun for RFL and then taking the time to work with over see and Judging .. grins .. no easy Take and he did it with thought and care !!
Hugs my sister in friendship Ms Canolli
Sometimes I do not think people realize how lucky we are with each of the characters (ie the we ) that make up New Babbage and our other neighboring Steam Lands .. Great Stuff my friends and Neighbors .. Most special Stuff !!
You know folks may not always agree but a bit of kindness and respect go a long long Way .. Humble View from this Seabreeze ..
My goal with each of these Balls and Builds is to give back to YOU that choose to be part of them !! I am not looking to make money or a living but rather work together with my Friends and Sponsors and share and enjoy with YOU all if You Please a fun night in time .. Make A special moment to remember !!

Another Highlight was When Dear Ms Kemi delivered her gown .. believe it or not I was so moved !! But the I was quite Moved when in the middle of Week Ms Viv deliver her own smoke stack build .. The New Babbage Mini smoke stack topper .. WoW
I was also Quite entertained working with her to bake .. no create different and out to the box birthday Cakes .. Grins... I also had a great deal of fun working with the magical mind of my for ever dear close comrade Mr Dagger in creating The Clockwinder's Rez Cake .. to be viewed again on his own Wonderful Rez day .. I also always enjoy working with my dear friend Ms Ceejay as she whipped up a brand new Tuffle for our very own Clockwinder .. that also will be at His Rez day party and then His . grins .... But out a doubt , a very special moment was to hear this song and See Mr Des standing on steps of Piermont Landing .. big smile...
Saying hello and welcome to him and him saying in return " I couldn't miss it .. I just couldn't"

The Baron and his wonderful entry !!
The Clockwinder making it in at the very end .. Seeing the Judges look at the stacks ..

A night of dancing and DJ Bats getting thru his little niche and finding us the right perfect link in Stream (( trust me that was no easy Task and he was a professional and true Friend and came thru for me tenfold !! A warm thank You to my dear Friend Dr. Fabre ..always a true gentleman !

Now the Winners .. I went out of my way to put gather and go thru photos for this one because it was tricky !!

When one is dealing with three hour events and 84 people most who do stay at least an hour it is important to reach out and notice as many of You as one can .. nods nods sounds corny I know , but it makes for such a charming event don't you Think ?

Best Dressed Barons and Baronesses
KlausWulfenbach Outlander
Desmond Magic
BlakOpal Galicia
Redgrrl Llewellyn

Saffia Widdershins
Eugenia Burton
Moses Mureaux
Kat Montpark
Jedberg30 Dagger
Byron Wexhome
Rafael Fabre
Softpaw Sommer
Annechen Lowery

Now as I said .. Thank You so much to each of you care that really care and continue to support and attend these events ..

Next Month The Grand Tour Illusions Ball and Working Hour Glass Build Contest and one more special treat I will announce later in the week .. thank YOU NEW BABBAGE and a special thank to Our dear Friends and Neighbors across the Grids .. take care and enjoy ..

hope to see you soon on the grid ..

Always, breezy
Special thanks to dear Book and Trilo for kindness support and photos and to Dear Sera my friend who helps me so much Hugsss !!

ALL Gave Some ~ Some Gave ALL

~Thank YOU to each of YOU for YOUR Service ~
past, present and future from the center of my heart for Our Liberty!!!
This is the stuff I was raised on !! This is the stuff that matters !!
My family treated Memorial Day Weekend like Christmas .
It was everything to my Parents for us all be together and respect and understand the Power of Service and the gifts we have because of it !!
Tonight I have found myself quietly watching an Andy Griffin Marathon and you know what I am free to do so and feel safe ! ( warm smile ) ..

The United States has a rich history, and Memorial Day is one of the holidays originated to show our respect for those who have died for it and the many freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis. Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) was officially proclaimed in 1868 by General John Logan, and first observed on May 30, 1868 by placing flowers on graves of Civil War soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Since 1971, Memorial Day has been celebrated on the last Monday of May, to allow for a 3 day Memorial Day Weekend.

Discuss American history with your family. We get so busy with our day to day lives that we often forget to slow down and really think about the reason our national holidays were started. It is important to discuss the pride we have in our country and how we appreciate those that came before us, especially with our children.
Buy a poppy from the VFW. Beginning in 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) took a Dutch and French tradition and began to sell poppies nationally, to raise money for veterans in need. Today these poppies are made my disabled veterans and sold each Memorial Day Weekend.
Participate in the "National Moment of Remembrance", which was started in 2000. This is a resolution asks American citizens to stop anything they may be doing at 3 p.m. local time, and observe a moment of silence.

Show respect for fallen war veterans. Visit cemeteries or war memorials to show your respect. Lay flowers or place flags as a remembrance to what the war veteran has given for his or her country. Many cemeteries have fallen war veterans whose family no longer lives close by. You can "adopt" these grave sites to show that their service has not been forgotten.

Spend quality time with your family, loved ones and enjoy (and appreciate) the freedom that others have given their lives for. Most cities will have parades and other celebrations. What ever one does or does not do .. Please keep the memory of all those that indeed not only gave the ultimate sacrifice but also to the so many that have and continue Serve !! I always say thank YOU !! So much perhaps it is not realized just how deep it comes from !!!

Local Observances Claim To Be First Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well.
Today, cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon and Columbus, Ga., claim the title, as well as Richmond, Va. The village of Boalsburg, Pa., claims it began there two years earlier. A stone in a Carbondale, Ill., cemetery carries the statement that the first Decoration Day ceremony took place there on April 29, 1866. Carbondale was the wartime home of Gen. Logan. Approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried.

Official Birthplace Declared In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community-wide or one-time events.
By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities.
It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly.

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who die

We shall notsleep,though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.
This was the poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada 's First Brigade Artillery. It expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France. The poem presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses and became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War. The first printed version of it reportedly was in December 1915, in the British magazine Punch.

"Your silent tents of green

We deck with fragrant flowers;

Yours has the suffering been,

The memory shall be ours."
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -
The Story of Taps

The 24-note bugle call known as “taps” is thought to be a revision of a French bugle signal, called “tattoo,” that notified soldiers to cease an evening’s drinking and return to their barracks or garrisons. It was sounded one hour before the bugle call that brought the military day to an end by ordering the extinguishing of fires and lights. The last five measures of the tattoo resemble the modern day "Taps."until 1874.

The first time taps was played at a military funeral may also have been in Virginia soon after Butterfield composed it. Union Capt. John Tidball, head of an artillery battery, ordered it played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action. Not wanting to reveal the battery’s position in the woods to the enemy nearby, Tidball substituted taps for the traditional three rifle volleys fired over the grave. Taps was played at the funeral of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson 10 months after it was composed. Army infantry regulations by 1891 required taps to be played at military funeral ceremonies. Taps now is played by the military at burial and memorial services and is still used to signal “lights out” at day’s end.

http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp#hist

http://www.usmemorialday.org/images/fallenheroes.htm

The Robber Barons Ball

Greetings I am starting this before the Robbers Baron's Ball and Smoke Stack Build Contest .. (smiles) I always say it is each of YOU that makes these events so amazing. For if you please these events are My Labor of Love to and for New Babbage !! But it is indeed the each one of you who care and attend that in turn make each one so most genuine and Special !! Indeed I gush and am Humble.
You see This is My Tenth Event at Piermont .. Imagine Bringing Social Formal Events to New Babbage ... What was I, am I , out of Mind .. Grins.. Perhaps a tad !
*Grins*
Many memories pass thru my mind. But one of all time most bizarre was of being banned from own event because the Sim capped at 40 . Now that is not what stands out in my mind.. What truly touched my heart was:
That it was a most special chain of events that reminded me WoW .. What an awesome place with the finest in neighbors and kind friendships I recall it was dear Bob who left the ball and walked the railroad tracks with me for over a half ((so I wouldn't be all alone )) hour till Dr Fabre (wonder if either even recall this, as it was way back in November 08) helped me with endless tps and rebooting ideas and Dear Charlene came and Upped the limit .. (( grins )) Thank Heavens with our New Mayor and Leader with thoughtful hindsight we do not have to worry about such things !!!

I am coming back now after the ball .wipes away some more tears. For it be an unforgettable night .. I am counting on others for photos . I was not able to take one all evening so not like me . 83 people came over the three hour event !! Imagine !
More Important please know Each of You made it indeed a Night to Remember !
Piermont Landing turned up her passion with extra Steam indeed ..
13 smoke stacks ..
WOW .. WOW WOW !!
the winners are
1. Jimmy Branagh
2.Beq Janus
3.Greg Merryman..
Honorable mention
Weatherwax and Elfod
Thank You to the judges
My dear freiends
Doctor Obolensky
Canolli Capalini
Raven Pennyfeather
Special thanks to
Viv Trafalgar for making the birthday cakes ..
Skusting Dagger for making Our Clockwinders 2nd Year Rez Day Clock Cake
Miss Ceejay Writer for making the Clockwinder Truffle
To Captain Red for making the wonderful Doctor O Texture ..
To Ceejay and Dr Fabre for your friendships and making me feel special for a moment in time with your most kind words (( and for Your remarkable understanding and acceptance ))
To DJ BATS for pulling it together and getting us thru amazing music .

Thank You to all for keeping Piermont Landing quite special .
Breezy has so much passion and heart to give and share but I will say this .. SO often people complain and carry on about what they don't have !
Please turn the left turn to right and see all the wonderful things one does have !
I hate to bother people .. I love to give .. and never take ..
Because the high and wonderful feeling I experience in giving is simply the best feeling I know ..
Because the pain of Loss is so unbearable ..No matter how hard on tried to prepare for it !
Indeed I might not be the best writer or even the best at anything , but if you can remember me for a kind act .. a caring thought . Then I have lived in any life ..
Life is fleeing and it is good and it so meant to be lived !! In any world !
I wish you each many wonderful dreams and endless happy sunsets and amazing sunrises ..
A toast to YOU .. a grand and most dear special Thank YOU !!
Always a humble SeaBreeze .. perhaps a foolish dreamer .. ah ..for now.. that's where my greatest desires and true magical sparks reside and I shall always continue to care deeply and ya hold on .. Tight !

Piermont Landing Presents
The Grand Tour III
The Illusions Ball
June 20th

~The Old Guard ~

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard"
Q: How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
A: 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
Q: How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
A: 21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1.
Q: Why are his gloves wet?
A: His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.
Q: Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?
A: No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.
Q: How often are the guards changed?
A: Guards are changed every thirty minutes in the summer,every hour in the winter
twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
Q: What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
A: For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30".
Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty
FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.
After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first SIX MONTHS of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends FIVE HOURS A DAY getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

The Sentinels Creed:
My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

The Creative World of Miss Meadow McBride

♥ATELIER♥ - Babbage Canals
An eccentric collection of accessories and attire, by Meadow McBride. Store located at Babbage Canals, New Babbage.
Time Flies Chronometer, The Poisoner's brooch, Clockwork Cephalopods, Cogroaches and the Tesla Tribute Topper. Plus, La Mort - a series of accessories with a macabre influence.
Search Atelier Eccentrics to join the group.
Indeed welcome to The Most Creative fun world of Miss Meadow McBride
Owner of her very own beloved ♥ATELIER♥ - Babbage Canals I will say about a year ago when I first arrived in New Babbage Miss Meadow was a friendly face I saw often.. be it walking the square or on a boat (she on the docks) we always had fun saying hello . I fell in love with her art and her wonderful blends and delightful post cards !!So this is to You Dear Meadow and for all that creative inside YOU Tesla Gal !!
Miss Meadow McBride is a fun yet Private person, always willing to lend a hand pitch in or share in some creative fun ! Her love and own passion for New Babbage can never be questioned !!

This is Meadow's newest creation The Edison Topper made on a request by moi

(( big smile))
Breezy does bring white to Steam punk .. grins .. Just because !!

She needed the right topper and knew just where to go .. as each creation of Miss Meadow is nothing short then a labor of love with fun sassy and clever touches I adore each one of her wonderful fun creations .

Be it her heart broach, her adorable snow flake cog pin .. ahh her own fun Tulsa Topper !!

Thank You dear Meadow and thank You for your friendship and being such a wonderful neighbor to me !! A toast to almost a year in Wheatstone for we .. twirlsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

It will be available .. at her shop ♥ATELIER♥ - Babbage Canals
An eccentric collection of accessories and attire, by Meadow McBride. Store located at Babbage Canals, New Babbage. Time Flies Chronometer, The Poisoner's brooch, Clockwork Cephalopods, Cogroaches and the Tesla Tribute Topper. Plus, La Mort - a series of accessories with a macabre influence.
Search Atelier Eccentrics to join the group.

*Please note the work in this video is not that of Ms McBride but .. I think the song and period is fitting for the blog .. (( grins )) ..

Fleet Week 2009 in New York City

This year's Fleet Week will have the smallest contingent of major American combat ships since the annual event's debut 22 years ago.The Navy blames the slimmer show on the need to save money.Fleet Week 2009, which brings an array of warships to New York City's harbors, will mark the return of the museum ship Intrepid, which will host the six-day event after being absent from the celebration for two years for renovations.Included in this year's lineup of 13 vessels that are to grace the Hudson River today are the 40,500-ton assault helicopter carrier USS Iwo Jima, as well as missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf and missile destroyer USS Roosevelt, organizers say.
Earlier this year, the Iwo Jima and Vella Gulf came back from the Persian Gulf region, where they combated pirates off East Africa.No full-size aircraft carrier has taken part in Fleet Week in four years.Like the size of the ships themselves, the number of ships participating in Fleet Week has grown smaller in recent years."The Navy is saving money, trying to reduce costs," Lt. Lesley Lykins, a Navy spokeswoman, told The Associated Press.A spokeswoman for New York City's tourism agency, NYC & Company, doesn't expect the leaner lineup will dampen tourism."With dozens of exciting activities scheduled in celebration of Fleet Week, and hundreds of other public events and programs taking place throughout the five boroughs this week, we do not anticipate the reduced number of vessels will have any effect on tourism in NYC," said the spokeswoman, Carli Smith.With 100,000 visitors expected to attend -- U.S. Defense Secretary Bob Gates is expected as a guest of honor -- Intrepid President Bill White promised this year's Fleet Week would be "bigger and better."The festivities will include military demonstrations by the Army Special Forces troops and Marines, ship tours and military band performances.More than 2,500 veterans are expected for Monday's Memorial Day ceremonies.The Iwo Jima will host veterans of a deadly 1945 battle that earned the ship its name."These men are all now in their 80s, and having them come from all over the country is pretty amazing," White told The AP

Due to Major cut backs *sigh* Looks like these Gems of The Navy are not going to make it this year's New York Fleet Week .. But they are about .. Sensational and Quite Moving to see in person no matter how many times one experiences them .. ah goosebumps and a humble tear !!

What is Fleet Week?:

Since 1984, New York City has held Fleet Week to honor the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The week features extensive military demonstrations, as well as the opportunity for the public to tour some of the visiting ships. The Memorial Day commemoration is a highlight of the week's festivities, featuring the singing of Taps and a military aircraft fly over in honor of those who lost their lives in service to the United States.

Water Chess Games

Really Cool Stuff Indeed for the older mature (plays well with and respects others ) Kids so to speak !!

The Kalmar Nyckel sails north toward Cape Cod in August, 2008. The ship is a replica of the Dutch pinnace that brought the first Swedish settlers to the New World in 1638. kalmarnyckel.org

Toolbox the Cat leads a merry life aboard the Kalmar Nyckel! Kalmar Nyckel Shipyards, Wilmington, Delaware. November 15, 2008.

or one can just catch a sale

http://www.sailboston.com/tsac.html

*smile* I have tried to keep these videos brief as there is so very much to share and cover in the Tall Ships Type A Cats .. be it race, battle, tour, sail or just to watch and enjoy !!!

This a World Wide Venue !! I have sailed , worked and handled a few different venues as well as went on to handle them as clients,always no matter what tour or country with out a doubt always amazing experiences and grand people (the very best that really get the cause and know the word team !) working all together to keep these Ladies of the Sea alive , well and working .. So a Join me with a Toast and Three Cheers To These Massive Beauties these Clippers of The Sea !

Aboard, at a ship’s helm,

A young steersman,

steering with care

.A bell through fog on a sea-coast dolefully ringing,

An ocean-bell—O a warning bell,

rock’d by the waves

O you give good notice indeed, you bell by the sea-reefs ringing,Ringing, ringing,

to warn the ship from its wreck-place.

For, as on the alert, steersman, you mind the bell’s admonition,

The bows turn,—the freighted ship, tacking, speeds away under her gray sails,

The beautiful and noble ship, with all her precious wealth, speeds away gaily and safe.

But O the ship, the immortal ship! O ship aboard the ship!O ship of the body—ship of the soul—

voyaging, voyaging, voyaging.

Walt Whitman

~~On a Lighter Note ~~

On a lighter note ..Surf is Indeed Up ..... I was impressed !! (smiles)

Ghost Ships

Ghost Ship

She moves alone through darkness,

the mist her cloak of awe,

she would freeze the hardened sailor who would dare to step aboard.

All through the night she wonders,

alone and far from shore,

the rigging drips of purple blood,

by death with gun and sword.

No crew has she to speak of,

the decks they hark and creek,

no moon could blaze her windswept ways,

out through the mist she peeps.

The sharks that follow slowly,

black eyes above the wake,

be careful ye may flounder,

your life she may just take.

The black flag on her main sail,

stands strong and cannot yield,

her journey ever onward,

her haunted broken keel.

Her cannons roll so slowly,

back and forth just like the tides,

be careful ye unspoilt youth,

they can burn and melt young eyes.

Never gaze at night,

poor soulful youth,

from the cliff tops strengthened heights,

for just beyond the horizon,

there she drifts with mournful plight,

take care in case she beckons forth,

her treasure you may seek,

beneath the waves she’ll drag you,

a salty grave you’ll keep.

Out in the night she travels,

for her no thought of shore,

for she is cursed and afflicted,

to sail on for evermore.

I tell this tale to you my friend,

I am the master of this craft,

through seven seas of gales and breeze,

for the ghost ship,

she’s my heart

Fergus Michael Condron

My entire life has been most blessed from early years with tails and adventures on and about Sea .. The Power the beauty and the horror. Her amazing lure to those that hear, feel and get her calling ... The stories ah the endless tales , told almost like ghost stories around a fire or by candle light at our summer home (hearing and seeing waves) among dear family and friends . The tales wonderful, endearing sometimes often sad but so true .. The chance survivors , the heart breaking losses, the tales of excitement ..

Indeed I was taught with great thought and love to respect the sea to embrace but always with caution .. this is part of the .. tale to know and be aware of .. goosebumps ..

Ghost Ships are not an urban myth they exist and to some are part of the lure .. I have seen two off the cape in my humble life . The first when I was ten with my father , We were taking an early morning walk (about 5am) on the beach and he saw her .. he put me on his shoulders and pointed it out to me ..(( I remember saying "maybe they are sleeping daddy" his reply "No hun there is no one on that ship" )) we went to the deck and looked He looked out thru his telescope .. I remember it well , he called the coast guard it was early one Monday am he was getting ready to drive to the city (5 hours away) and wouldn't be back till the following weekend .. We never found out what happen to that ship, but there was not one on board .

The second was about 15 years ago, my sister and i were walking the beach collecting sea glass and shell early in the morning .. No matter what age one is that's what one does on the shores early in am .. There she was an older Boston whaler .. life jackets .. fishing gear and rods intact but no one board .. motor running .. odd .. really strange stuff .

Then there are stories of the wrecks down below .. sigh .. the underwater grave yards .

To take some of these dives .. I passed my divers certification off the coast of Nantucket.

I remember friends of mine used to make fun of people who got certification in a pool , I never really got what that was all about until i went diving myself in Bermuda .. let's just say I got it .. to see these wrecks and be so close .. My new line for years was .. there are aren't any ship wrecks in these parts i don't want to disturb anyone .. I was often laughed at , by husband and our friends ,but in reality i was quite serious !

I am blessed to know some serious divers thru the years .... I have shared my feelings and been told some amazing tales .. Their stories are most haunting but it is the grave yards under the sea, deep in her waters ..The crews buried alive .. Under water grave yards that as much as they interest us ,really should never be disturbed ..

Loss of the USS Grunion

The first U.S. submarine launched in World War II goes to war and disappears without a trace, leaving families of the lost crew to wonder what happened to them

Read more:

"Loss of the USS Grunion: The Birth, Life and Disappearance of a World War II Submarine

The keel of a new United States Gato class fleet submarine was laid by the Electric Boat Company at Groton, Connecticut, on March 1, 1941. The boat was launched on December 22, just two weeks after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor which had propelled the U.S. into World War II. Under the command of Lieutenant Commander Mannert “Jim” Abele, the boat was commissioned as the USS Grunion (SS-216) on April 11 and began preparing for war.

Read more:

"Loss of the USS Grunion: The Birth, Life and Disappearance of a World War II Submarine http://ww2history.suite101.com/article.cfm/loss_of_the_uss_grunion

One month later, Lt. Cmdr. Abele invited his wife and three sons to join him for dinner at the submarine base at New London, Connecticut. It was a beautiful Sunday on May 24, 1942, and the Abele’s enjoyed a leisurely meal. After sending his family home, Abele returned to his command and prepared to head out to sea. He was not allowed to tell his family he had orders to leave, so he left for war that afternoon without being able to tell his family goodbye. They never saw him again.
Abele’s orders were to take Grunion to Pearl Harbor. Traveling down the Atlantic Coast into the Caribbean, the boat's crew helped to rescue 16 survivors of the USAT “Jack”, which had been torpedoed by a German U-boat. The survivors were dropped off at the naval base in Coco Solo, Panama, and Grunion continued on through the Panama Canal.Read more: "Loss of the USS Grunion: The Birth, Life and Disappearance of a World War II Submarine

Grunion arrived in Pearl Harbor on June 20, received ten days of additional training and left on her first mission, which was to patrol the area between Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and Japan. Japanese forces had seized the islands Kiska and Attu, on the western tip of the Aleutians, earlier that month and Japanese military vessels were traveling along that route.
The boat headed toward its patrol area making a brief stop at Midway Island to drop off a crew member, Roy Sampsel, who had fallen ill. On July 10, Grunion was reassigned to an area north of Kiska and, five days later, reported firing three torpedoes at a Japanese destroyer that had attacked her. Later, Grunion transmitted that she had sunk three destroyer-type vessels although, after the war, only two sinkings were confirmed.

In August 06, with information supplied by a remarkable Japanese gentleman, Yutaka Iwasaki, and help from numerous other sources, the Abele brothers initiated a search for the USS Grunion, their dad’s sub, lost since 1942. Using the services of Williamson Associates and a side scan sonar they found a target near the tip of the Aleutian chain, almost a mile down that was about the right length and breadth and that appeared to have an appendage called a prop guard characteristic of that class of submarines. In addition they were able to locate the three Japanese wrecks in the area so it seems unlikely that there is confusion between wrecks.

The most important element of the find was that the target was located almost exactly where it was predicted by their source (a major story in itself). That piece of information did two things.

It added enough credibility to the hypothesis that the target was the Grunion to justify the return in August 07 with a Remote Operated Vehicle ( ROV ) equipped with HD video to more clearly identify the target
It added credibility to the entire Aiura report. (Aiura was the military captain of the freighter attacked by the Grunion) In turn that focuses attention on a couple of hypotheses as to the cause of the demise of the Grunion.

updated 2:00 p.m. PT, Thurs., Jan. 1, 2009
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28434956/

After more than 60 years, the Abele brothers have finally found their father.
Lt. Cmdr. Jim Abele commanded the USS Grunion, a submarine that disappeared off the coast of Alaska during World War II.

Seven years ago his sons made a deal with their hearts, not their heads,

and went looking for him.
It cost them a bundle. "If this were an official Navy project, I would guess that the taxpayers would be paying about 10 times what we're paying,"

John Abele chuckled.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28434956/

http://ussgrunion.com/