Posts by John Riise
Navy Destroyer USS ‘Stewart’ Lies Below Your Keel off Point Reyes
An interesting sea story "resurfaced" recently after the discovery of the sunken Navy destroyer USS 'Stewart' off Point Reyes.
Going to Mexico Later This Year? Practice Your Dinghy Beach Landings First
Nobody should underestimate the power of waves — even two-footers — to do harm. They can flip or roll inflatables.
Friday’s Marvelous and Mysterious Maritime Memories: When Lifelines Fail
More than one sailor has gone overboard due to lifelines failing. At least in these two stories, the result was a good one.
George Bush and the Line Behind the ‘Mayflower’
Next time you see a line trailing in the water behind someone's boat, rather than criticize, remember the story of John Howland.
Captain Mary Patten of ‘Neptune’s Car’
No history of women in sailing is complete without the story of 19-year-old Mary Patten, who captained a 216-ft clipper from somewhere near Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1856.
Enjoy a Little Holiday Interlude With Salty Phrases — Part 2
Just after Thanksgiving, we shared the origins of some Salty Phrases — sayings that have been repeated for generations. Here is Part 2.
Here Are Some Salty Phrases To Start Your Week — Part 1
Most sailors are familiar with the main seagoing words that have made their ways into everyday jargon. But you might be surprised at how many familiar phrases also came down the gangplank.
Nothing Lasts Forever
Ruth and Marvin were looking for a new place to have dinner one night and came across Ana Bananas. Here they found 47 Crown Royal pouches said to contain the ashes of their deceased owners.
Helping Make a Sailor’s Dreams Come True
I want to sail so bad my stomach gets butterflies just thinking about it in my small apartment in the mountains of North Carolina.
Classic Schooner Viveka Relaunched in Richmond
The moment had been five years in the making. Viveka arrived at Rutherford’s Boat Shop in Richmond in 2015 for a full restoration. But the owner ran out of money and the project was stalled.
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