The Lobsterback Society - Photos from our Visit to Portsmouth April 2009

Text Box: The Lobsterbacks Go Back to Old England—April 2009 As the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) made her way home from a seven month deployment to the Middle East, she made one last stop at Portsmouth England. Several members of the Lobsterback Society serving aboard her took the opportunity to tour the historic seaport and view its many attractions. But the Lobsterbacks were not left to explore unattended (never recommended). Several members of the Historical Maritime Society (HMS) made the trip to Portsmouth to meet some of the Lobsterbacks face to face for the first time. “We’ve been corresponding for some time now, as we’re building a copy of their Frigate’s Boat. But a few months ago if you’d told me we’d be meeting face to face I would not have believed it” said William King, Chairman of the LS Board of Directors and Lieutenant onboard Theodore Roosevelt “This is an unexpected pleasure.” Chris Jones of HMS coordinated a special behind-the-scenes tour of HMS Victory with her curator, caretaker, and fellow HMS member Peter Goodwin. The author of several books on the Royal Navy in the age of sail, Mr. Goodwin spent several hours onboard Victory with the visiting Lobsterbacks. Among the intriguing talks was a discussion of the ongoing conservation of Victory’s Jeer Capstan. Beneath the now-removed Victorian cladding was found the original 18th century Georgian capstan, still very much in working order. Mr. Goodwin demonstrated how after more than 200 years the capstan still turns easily on its bearings. Later, the tour continued to the restored Grand Magazine, entirely recreated from authentic materials based on Mr. Goodwin’s research and featuring cutaway sections of the bulkheads and decking. After the tour of Victory the group adjourned to a local pub for a liquid lunch. Mr. Jones took the opportunity to present Mr. King with a belaying pin and fid made from English Oak and Lancashire Ash for the Frigate’s Boat now under construction in Norfolk, Virginia. “If your boat is to be British, it should have a piece of the old country” said Mr. Jones as he presented the pin and fid. Mr. Jones has been instrumental in providing assistance to the construction crews at the LS boat shop as our boat takes shape, and the meeting and presentation of the pin and fid solidified continued cooperation between the two organizations. After a few pints and some book signing by Mr. Goodwin, the group made their way to the docks, where they embarked ferries to the anchored Theodore Roosevelt. The Lobsterbacks, members of TR’s crew, returned the favor and led the HMS members on a guided tour of one of the United States’ most powerful warships. The visit and tours were the start of what both organizations hope to be a strong trans-Atlantic partnership. The day concluded with talk of future plans for further visits, and eventual cooperation between the two Frigates Boats—that of the Historical Maritime Society and that of the Lobsterback Society now under construction. Standby for more news and information about LS cooperation with HMS...

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Text Box: Members of the Historical Maritime Society (HMS) with their hosts onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71. The tour of HMS Victory concluded with a special guided tour of the homeward bound aircraft carrier.

Text Box: A section of Victory’s original foremast, complete with shot hole from the battle of Trafalgar.

Text Box: HMS Victory’s reconstructed launch, taken from the poop deck. The boat currently under construction in our boatyard will closely resemble this one.