Celebrating its 18th year, this series of illustrated lectures presents a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea. Lectures will take place on Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. in the Museum Theater and will be followed by a reception in the Jacobs Family Gallery. Please call 508-997-0046 ext. 101 to reserve your tickets. The price for the series is $50 for members, $65 for non-members, and $18 for individual tickets.

SAILORS' SERIES 2008

January 15
“I’m Not Always Right… But I Keep Trying” with Peter Reggio

Regattas all over the world wouldn’t happen if there were not individuals like Peter “Luigi” Reggio setting the racecourse and firing the starting gun. Reggio has called Essex, Connecticut home for the past 35 years, but as an International Race Officer, he is constantly on the road as one of the most indemand officials on the international racing circuit today. Reggio has earned widespread praise for his work in countless regattas over the years, including
the America’s Cup. Next year, he will make his Olympic debut as an officer in Beijing. Says Reggio, “every day on the water is different – and in that way, never boring – but the real enjoyment comes for me in trying to make things better for the sailors.”

February 5
“The Ship and the Saint” with Bradley Stevens

The three-masted barque Kad’yak was built for the Russian America
Company to carry ice from Kodiak, Alaska to San Francisco. In March of 1860, it ran aground after drifting for three days and finally sank near the grave of the Russian Orthodox priest (now) saint, Herman of Alaska. Locals attributed the wreck to lack of devotion by its skipper, who reneged on a promise to honor the priest. In 2003, Bradley Stevens used original Russian documentsto locate the wreck site, which is now a National Historic Site. Share in the amazing story of the Kad’yak’s sinking and the subsequent detective work required to re-discover the ship. Dr. Stevens was a research scientist and SCUBA diver for NOAA Fisheries in Kodiak, Alaska for 22 years and is now an associate professor at the UMass-Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology.

March 4
“Master and Commander” with Leon Poindexter

Master shipwright Leon Poindexter, a specialist in restoring historic
vessels, will give a presentation on the transformation of the HMS Rose (an existing replica of the British Revolutionary War frigate) into the fictional HMS Surprise for the Academy Award-winning motion picture Master and Commander starring Russell Crowe. In Patrick O’Brian’s beloved sea-faring novel, Capt. Aubrey disguises the Surprise as a whaleship to confound his opponents. Poindexter will detail his time as technical advisor for set design on the film and as set advisor and background actor. The talk will cover the lengths to which producers went for authenticity in transforming the Rose and creating the sets. Poindexter has previously worked on the
USS Constitution, Schooner Ernestina, and the Whaling Museum’s Fo’c’sle exhibition.

April 1
“Destination Azores” with Pamela K. Wall

The Azores feature some of the most enchanting cruising waters in
the world, and this presentation will provide a fresh look at the area. Pamela Wall – who works in Ft. Lauderdale preparing boats for long voyages – will discuss her recent summer cruising with her husband, Andy, and her trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Hear about the time at sea, the landfalls, and the final destination of the Azores. Come share an evening with Wall “aboard” her 39-foot sloop and discover the Azores from a sailor’s perspective.