Southwest Florida Online – Sunday Morning News: Florida Keys’ watercolor capers by Bob Crane

The sponge adventure, (part 7, excerpt 38)

This is a story called The Sponge Adventure. Captain Bob and his two comrades Dave and Amos fish the Gulf of Key West in Bob’s ocean-going trawler Sea Breeze. Captain Bob and Dave are about to take Dave’s Skipjack sailboat for a few days to try sponge fishing.

The sponge adventure

The next morning at David’s boat dock …

Hey captain! How are you?”

“I’m done, woman says, ok, and I have my equipment in this night bag. The boat definitely looks great, especially with the two sails we put up. What’s the plan? “Asked Bob.

“Well, you see, it’s going to be easy. We just hook the winch to the front of the boat and then pull it forward a little. Then we take the wheel chocks out from under the stern and pull them down.

“Well, David, I’ll see that the“ ways ”are clear. What about the water depth? I am sure it has been years since something was started from here. “

“Thanks for reminding me, Capt’n, but I’m ahead of you. Last night I waded out and shoveled off the track. It falls off very quickly. “

You have hooked the winch cable into the front of the boat.

“Crank … ah, crank … ah, crank … ah.”

“You didn’t tell me this was a hand crank, David,” exclaimed Bob.

“You know, Capt’n, I don’t make enough money to go to first grade!” He laughed.

“Don’t you? What happened to your bonus? “

“That will be invested in the food that we will eat on this expedition!” David explained.

“Well, this winch has a fuse and it locks in both directions. This helps.”

The boat slowly turned down and then floated.

“Hold her there, Capt’n. I’ll row the sponge skiff over and tie it to the back of the skipjack. “

“Ok Capt’n, come in and we’ll uncheck them and catch a breeze.”

“Aye Aye! Captain David.”

“Let’s get the sword * down … There is enough space in this driveway,” David ordered meekly. “Just turn the crank and then make the two stops. They’ll keep the board down. You can see these other adjustments. “

“It’s nice and cozy inside,” exclaimed Bob. “You just have to watch your head sometimes.”

“Sails up, Bob! You get the bow and I’ll take the stern, ”said David.

They sailed down the canal and out into the harbor. The two sails began to fill well. David was in the back of the tiller.

“Bob, all you have to do is watch the boom on that mainsail as it crosses from side to side. We each say something when the man has to turn the tiller. “*

“All right, Captain David, I’m starting to operate the sails. This upper tree on the mainsail is sure to spread a lot of canvas! “

“We’re going to be around Dredgers Key,” said David, gesturing at him. “Into the Garrison Bight Channel and then northeast on the Sound Side. It is approximately 15 miles to the north side of Big Torch Key. I suspect we would do a sponge fishing test run up there. I would love to check out the Niles Channel when we get in there. We should be up there by noon. “

“David, we need to keep an eye on the watercolors. I am sure you know them all. Black water is rocks or clumps of grass, and white water is flat or coral-red bottom. Red is a sandbar, not a traversing steer clear, and yellow or light green is a narrow channel that is only suitable for a boat that is only a few feet deep. And finally, dark green and blue are deep water. “

“Thank you Bob, it’s a good rating. I will keep an eye out. “

They started walking into the many small keys and mangrove islands north of Big Coppitt Key.

“Let’s see your cards, David,” said Bob with a question in his voice.

“You are in the cabin on the shelf on the right.”

“Pretty good cards. We can use the channel markers, landmarks, compass, and dead reckoning to determine our position. Actually, we have to keep our wits about all these mangrove islands, sandy areas and seaweed. Of course, we don’t have to worry about tying the propeller with seaweed. There is no support! “

They were lucky that the wind came from the south and west. It pressed her well. The sword scratched a couple of times and they tried to lift it up a little to clear the ground.

“Hey Dave, I checked the bilge. * It looks like we’ve taken in some water. But I think the planks swell and it slows down. “

“Bob, if you take the tiller I’ll run the hand pump and you can see your turn. Keep an eye on the main boom. Don’t let it hit your head, especially if it hits the other side. I will also inspect all parts of the boat. “

“Yes! Yes! Captain David.”

“It’s been about three hours. We just passed Sugarloaf Key. In about five kilometers we turn to the south-southeast. Everything about the boat looks good, from bow to stern, ”David exclaimed proudly.

“Captain David, how about you take the tiller and I’ll dig some sandwiches out of the cooler,” Bob said.

“Sounds good, Bob,” replied Dave.

“There are the channel markers, Captain David,” Bob pointed.

“We’re cruising here. Watch out for the boom! ”David warned. “There is the bridge over there.”
“Here’s your sandwich and a coke. Captain, what are you going to do? “

How about driving west of Big Torch Key in the Nile Canal, close but not too close, to get to the bridge and anchor? It’s about 5-6 feet according to the diagrams. We finish our sandwiches. Then we take the skiff under the bridge into the 9 foot water on the other side and look at the bottom.

They pulled the boat to the stern of the skipjack.

“That’s a decent skiff, David. I think the rod with the three long hooks should snap the sponges from below. “

“Yes,” replied Dave.

“What is this ladder arrangement?” asked Bob.

“Well, Bob, you can lean on it while you row the oar and we’ll hang the sponge rod over it. The end of the hook goes between the two posts at the front of the skiff. “

From the author:

My second full-length book, Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers, is 336 pages. There are 12 stories from 6 pages up to 72 pages. It is fully illustrated with 88 watercolors and sketches. The watercolors I did in Key West after finishing my 750 mile hike from Georgia to Key West. (See book or Don Browne’s SouthWest Florida Online News Records, A Walk Across Florida.) As you read these stories, you will experience Key West, the Keys, and the Caribbean. These stories span the early 19th century through 1969. bkranich.wixsite.com/bobkranich

See similar http://swflorida.blogspot.com/2021/11/florida-keys-watercolor-kapers-by-bob.html

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