An encounter with the Tole Mour


During our day sail out of Isthmus Cove on Catalina Island, we encountered the Tole Mour, a 156 foot topsail schooner.  Being a replica of the 1850 revenue cutter C. W. Lawrence, the Californian was built to be well armed and fast.  Had the year been 1850 and the Tole Mour suspected of smuggling, we would have had the great guns loaded and run out and we would have been prepared to board her.  As this was a friendly encounter in the year 2003, we had the guns stowed and just showed her our speed.

Quarry is sight
Our quarry is in sight.  We pass her on our starboard side and the Captain calls "READY ABOUT!"
As we steady on our port tack, the Tole Mour is about a quarter mile ahead and cracking right along. 
Race is on
Catching up
The Skipper calls for an adjustment of the tops'l braces and we begin to overtake her.  He announces our speed:  10.7 knots.
To cheers all around, we pull along side, stealing her wind.  They know we have canon aboard, they shout "shoot us."  But, this being a friendly encounter, our guns are stowed so we shout "BOOM" in return.
 Cheers all around
astern
As the Tole Mour slips astern, the Captain, crew and passengers are grinning from ear to ear, thrilled by the ride.
After our encounter, we come about onto a starboard tack and nearly "put the rail in the water."  The Californian is a real race horse, as shown in this photo. 
Heeled to port
Ten knot cheese cake
Throughout the entire encounter the evening's dessert was in the oven.  We immediately dubbed it "ten knot cheese cake."


Updated 9/27/03 2000