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R.C.Y.C. island club . . . http://www.rcyc.ca

Friday, May 15 1805 hrs (6:05 pm)

- dress is as casual and comfortable as you like . . . dress regs take effect for the summer on Saturday
- dress warmly . . . the nearby lake is only 7C / 45F and cools the air a lot !
- launch departs from City Station . . . 263 Queens Quay East (see map herewith)
- launch departs city :15 to and :15 past the hour
- guests will not require a guest ticket, tell them you are a guest of Arthur Langley and give your name(s)
- Quartermaster will have guest list
- recommend all try to be on the 1715 hrs (5:15 pm) launch to island club and walk to South Island bridge (boat will be "dressed" with code flags)
- the 1745 hrs (5:45 pm) boat will get you to the island in time to walk to our gathering near South Island bridge
- even if late, come on 1815 hrs (6:15 pm) launch and join us for a toast . . . or two
- expect most attendees will return to city on 1900 hrs (7 pm) boat
- 20+ of us are planning to dine after at the club


My Toronto tel #, which is forwarded to my cel, is 6 4 7 - 4 7 7 - 8 1 4 3

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The gods of the sea (Norse - Aegir ... Roman - Neptune ... Greek - Poseidon) and of the winds (Norse - Njord ... Roman - Aquilo, Auster, Favonius, Eurus ... Greek - Boreas, Notus, Eurus, Zephyr) were not to be trifled with and ARE not to be.

These gods must well meet every vessel so they may recognize each boat that ventures into their realm. Gods are capricious and easily slighted. A god offended by the trespass of some unknown vessel can quickly bring it and her crew great misfortune. It therefore rests upon sailors, the tiny and fragile crews of such vessels, to humbly make the proper introductions.

As terribly hard to find as one is, the sacrifice of a virgin's blood is oft considered a necessary part of any such ceremony for the Norse gods. Red wine that has never touched the lips of man WILL suffice in a pinch. The loss of the actual sacrificing must be born as bravely as possible by all involved.

An already named vessel must have her name and crews honored AND then have her name excused from the realm of the gods. This done, the now nameless vessel is to be reborn before the gods and must be christened for her new life with her new name.

The vessel's christening shall be done with champagne to represent and honour the foaming waves of all the seas.

And all shall receive a coin from the captain . . . including, most importantly, the vessel herself to hold for future crew that might have need of it. The Greeks believed they needed coin to pay the boatman to cross the River Styx from life amongst mortals to reach eternal haven. The Norse believed that coin was needed to pay Aegir and his daughters to let their vessels pass safely to port. From this comes the tradition before every voyage of coins tossed in the sea from a vessel (and ashore into the water in fountains) for good fortune.


ALL shall recite the following . . .

"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the sea and the wind to grant us their favour today.

"Mighty Aegir ( EYE-geer) , king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Njord ( neh-YORD ), lord of the winds and all that is blown upon them . . . we offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past. We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port."

"Now, wherefore, we submit this supplication, that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known . . . OUT OF REACH . . . be struck and removed from the records of your realm."

"Further, we ask that when she is again presented to you with another name, she shall be recognized by that name and shall be accorded once again the privileges of your realm that she enjoyed in past voyages. In return for which, we rededicate this vessel to your domains in full knowledge that she shall be subject as always to the immutable laws of the gods of the wind and the sea."

"In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with a sacrifice offered according to the hallowed rituals of ye gods and the sea."


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Psalm 107

They that go down to the sea in ships;
That do business in great waters;
These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.


To christen her anew, ALL the women shall recite . . .

"We name this ship . . . BEAR AWAY VI . May God bless all who sail in her."

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