Andrew Ferguson

And All I Ask is a Tall Ship and a Star to Steer Her By

Sea Fever
By John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again
to the lonely sea and sky
And all I ask is a tall ship
and a star to steer her by
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song
and the white sail’s shaking
And a gray mist on the sea’s face,
and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again
for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call
That may not be denied
And all I ask is a windy day
with the white clouds flying
And the flung spray and the blown spume
and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again
to the vagrant gypsy life
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way
where the wind’s like a whetted knife
And all I ask is a merry yarn
from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream
when the long trick’s over.

One of my favorite things about being back in Seattle are the opportunities to get out on the water. While we do have a speedboat of our own, I don’t think it get’s much better then sailing. At some point in time, I’d really enjoying sailing around the world - or at least part of the world. Although such an adventure will have to wait until I can get a boat of my own and a crew.

In the meantime, I’m fortunate to have a friend, Peter, who has a sailboat. And thus we went sailing on Monday and again on Tuesday (for the bonus round):

Remember all those pictures of your parents that you look at? This picture reminds me of one of those. In fact, I’d call this picture of Staples iconic.

All Images: Copyright 2008 Andrey Marchuk

Tags: Andrey Marchuk, Duck Dodge, iconic, Jeff Staples, John Masefield, Peter Walchenbach, sailboat, sailing, Sea Fever, Seattle, Seattle Yacht Club, speedboat, water

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Reader's Comments

1. Audrey | June 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

   Can I volunteer for the around the world crew? I don’t like open water, have never sailed before, and don’t enjoy small boats… but it still sounds like a heck of an adventure to me!

   Reply to this comment
2. Staples | June 20th, 2008 at 8:10 am

   Ferg, you are the height of just-too-muchery. Your analysis of that picture of me is spot on. And I, too, would like to be considered for your world crew. I promise that I’ll figure out how to sail before then…

   Reply to this comment
3. Smiley | June 20th, 2008 at 11:42 am

   I submit my name as well. There is nothing better than waking up to the sound and smell of the sea…

   Reply to this comment
4. Andrew Ferguson | June 25th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

   I’ve added all your names to the list.

   @Audrey:
   How come you don’t like open water or small boats? Now that you’re in SF, you should try to find someone who’d be willing to take you guys out on the water.

   @Staples:
   I’m not quite sure what “the height of just-too-muchery” is, but I don’t think I’m there yet.

   @Smiley:
   Waking up to the smell of burned almond cookies while floating space (preferably while in the space capsule).

   Reply to this comment
5. Audrey | June 25th, 2008 at 7:16 pm

   I’ve never liked open water. It’s a phobia. I REALLY dislike flying over open water. Everyone tries to rationalize with me (crashing into water is a lot better than crashing into land) but you can’t rationalize a phobia.

   The fear of small boats started after a trip on Chatfield Reservior with my dad in a small 10′ styrofoam sailboat that my Dad one in a raffle at Safeway (it had a Coca-Cola sail and was part of a display). Waaaaayyyy to unstable for me.

   I’ve been wanting to go sea kayaking but haven’t made it out yet….

   Reply to this comment
6. Andrey M | September 8th, 2008 at 4:02 pm

   Your site is the first one that comes up when my name is searched on google, whats up with that? btw, If you need someone on your crew, I would be down a trip to New Zealand : )

   Reply to this comment
7. Andrew Ferguson | September 8th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

   @Andrey M:

   I have amazing amounts of Google Juice.

   Reply to this comment
8. Miles | April 10th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

   http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17172762

   Reply to this comment