Whale Watch with the 74^th Crusaders Motorcycle Club,  September 7,2003.

By Al Hall, Secretary.

At a club meeting on Wednesday, September 3^rd, Eldridge (“Squid”) Gannon invited the club to go whale watching on his fishing boat, the “Fraggel Rock”, on Sunday September 7^th.  Club members, guests and wives began meeting at the club at 10 AM. Twelve motorcycles travelled to Brier Island on Digby neck, via the two ferries.  Those attending were:  Debbie and Clayton Oliver, Eric and Linda, Al, Wayne, Sid and Nancy, Fred and Judy, Paul (complete with crutches in his Volkswagen car), Gary and June Weare, Clyde and Janet, Myles and Katie, Steve and Barb Schaeffer each on their own bike, with their friends from the Blue Knights club, Doug and his wife, Marlene.

On the marine scene we were met in Westport by Ken Power and George Nickerson and their guest, Debbie, all in Ken’s fast mini yacht. Scott and Marcy also arrived in their high speed vessel with the 90 H.P. motor.

Eldridge and his charming young son Frank were waiting for us at the dock and we soon boarded the “Fraggle Rock.”  We left around 1 P.M. or shortly after and had a wonderful cruise as we watched for whales. The weather could not have been better, the sea was calm and a long gentle swell made the trip very pleasant. Those of us who had taken motion pills were pleased we didn’t need them. Ken and his crew accompanied us in their boat. We were glad of the escort but they finally left on a private cruise and connected with us back in port.

We sailed along for a long time searching for whales and were delighted to see porpoises frolicking in the waves several times.  They were wonderful to watch. Suddenly Squid brought the boat to a very quick stop. Scott was high up on top of the wheelhouse looking for whales. We were very glad he did not get pitched overboard during a very sudden and surprising stop. This stop was Squid’s quick reaction to an enormous length of heavy one inch rope that laid on top of the water. Had this fouled the propeller it would have been extremely serious indeed.  We managed to haul it all on board and it was a messy sight, covered with slime and several very nasty looking bright orange sea “critters”. According to Clayton these beasties and some sand fleas collected on the rope because it had been lying on bottom for some time. Katie was definitely not impressed with the orange nasties. Young Frank however was less delicate in nature and poked an exploratory finger into the orange globs until he was satisfied they wouldn’t bite. Frank was a great hit with the ladies and fell in love numerous times, especially with Marcy.

Then we spotted whales.  First the Minke whales, a dark brownish color, and they rolled and gently dived over and over again. They were fascinating to watch and we were fairly close to them several times. These sightings were followed by a long period of sailing around hoping to see more whales. Squid was on the radio occasionally talking to other vessels and between times he patiently explained the operation of some of the shipboard electronics to us landlubbers. Finally we saw some spouts, and then the hump-back whales. These are the real thrillers to watch as they are the ones that dive straight down and show their enormous tails or flukes as they dive. We were happy to see them but wished there were more of them and that we could get closer. That was not to be so we finally headed back to port.  It was a long trip as we were out maybe ten miles. We were starting to get really hungry by then. The sun, the waves and the salt air really brought out our appetites. On we sailed, and finally got back to Westport. The harbour was full of boats, whale watchers, Coast Guard, fishing vessels, Ken Power’s mini yacht, Scott’s speedboat and others. 

And now we got another big thrill. Squid drove in among all that stationery traffic with apparent reckless abandon. Personally I thought we were going to go straight into the side of a big fishing vessel as we docked. About eight inches from the side of the vessel Squid rammed her into reverse, she swung her pretty little butt across Ken Power’s bow, clearing it by about four inches and taking about four years off George Nickerson’s life, judging by the look on his face. Squid gently backed the Fraggle Rock to the floating dock so we could all get off.  The grin on his face was a wonderful sight to behold.  I’ve been around a lot of ships, boats, canoes and yachts in my time, but that was the most magnificent piece of seamanship I’ve ever seen. What a guy !

The tide was out by then and stairway from the floating dock to the wharf must have been a challenge to Paul on his crutches.  We posed for a picture and then made a hasty run for the ferry to Long Island.

Upon arrival in Freeport Clyde and Janet stopped for supper in the restaurant there while the rest of us continued on to Digby.  We followed our Road Captain, Clayton and he made an excellent choice of restaurants. We went to the Pizza Delight in Digby, where we received a warm welcome from the staff, and found we were just in time for an excellent buffet supper.  What a feed!  There was regular pizza, Donair Pizza, egg rolls, salads, lasagna, custard, mustard and goulash as well as dessert.  Yum ! Most of us had seconds.

Goodbyes were said and we rode off into the sunset, very tired but happy and having had one of the best trips ever.  

Thank you Eldridge !  Thank you all.

                                                         The End.