While sailing the York River with his family, a retired Navy officer told me two stories about sailing with a Navy carrier. He stipulated they were not for attribution.,

Sailing with a Navy Carrier“We were in the North Atlantic on the Navy carrier USS America in 1972. Along comes a 13-meter sailboat whose skipper had no idea how to sail. He wanted to go to Key West and radioed our bridge, ‘Captain, I have a problem. I want to go to United States. Will you take me?’ And he did take him! Our captain had the man come aside the hull of the carrier, where we used the ship’s cranes to dismast it and lift it aboard. There it stayed, with the mast lashed to the deck of the sailboat. He was confused and thought we were going to Newport when we were actually going to Newport News, which was closer to Key West anyway. Then, 30 miles out of Hampton Road, we offloaded his sailboat, set the mast, and sent him on his way. Three hours he sailed in behind us, without declaring [Customs].”

Sailing with a Navy Carrier“We had a difficult Executive Officer who was very particular about details. He tolerated no breeches of behavior and no fun whatsoever. We somehow managed to get a popcorn maker on board. It was a big industrial version and very heavy. He found out about it and came to punish us. We arranged for a Navy photographer to be ready when the XO came through the door. Here he comes, and as the door open someone handed him a container of fresh popcorn and the photographer caught him accepting it. He couldn’t very well rat us out now, since he was caught accepting the popcorn.”

Let’s Go Sail

Check rates and pick a day for a sailboat charter. See reviews on Trip Advisor from sailors like you. 

More from the Captain...

New Sailor

New Sailor

“I grew up in Rhode Island and always went on motorboats with my dad,” said Hannah Zaino as she slipped behind the helm on windy day of 15 mph southerlies. “It had never occurred to me to take a sailing lesson.” He daughter Maureen arranged the trip for Hannah’s 70th

Full Story >
Omaha Sailors

Omaha Sailors

Omaha Sailors has a couple from Nebraska joining their teenage daughter who has already completed ASA 101.

Full Story >

Sailing to Simplicity

Let’s go sail the York River, where couples enjoy a serene three hours. Take one of 6 sailing adventures near the Chesapeake Bay for your best vacation excursion: Adventure, Event, Appreciation, History, Lessons, Boat Buying. Sit in the catbird seat or up on the bow. People often ask, “What’s the

Full Story >