Denaming and Renaming

Wow!  Lots has happened since I last wrote - sorry it's been so long... but here it is - what I've been promising...

We have been very busy with the serious business of changing the name of our precious boat ...  Her name is now officially "Terrwyn" of Welsh origins (both Bill and I have Welsh heritage) meaning "brave, fair one"; the three armed spiral logo is an ancient gaelic Triskelion symbolizing the power of forward progress and representing, among others, three major forces of air, water and earth (if you want to learn more about this fascinating ancient symbol you may want to go to this link ):

 Our denaming happened on Canada Day - so it was very important in many ways!  Bill and I performed this little ceremony (thanks for your added research on this, Cam) alone and in the privacy of our boat - just the three of us, William, Catherine and the Lady...

After first making sure that all items with the old name of "Lively Lady II" were removed and any old markings completely and permanently destroyed we stated outloud:

"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favor us with their blessing today.
"Mighty Neptune, king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Aeolus (pronounced EE-oh-lus), guardian of the winds and all that blows before them:
"We offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past. We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.
"Now, wherefore, we submit this supplication, that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known Lively Lady II, be struck and removed from your records.
"Further, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name, she shall be recognized and shall be accorded once again the selfsame privileges she previously enjoyed.
"In return for which, we rededicate this vessel to your domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject as always to the immutable laws of the gods of the wind and the sea.
"In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with a libation offered according to the hallowed ritual of the sea."

We then wrote the old name on a piece of paper, placed it in a little cardboard box and put it to flame (as it were!)... and tossed the ashes to the ebbing tide...

As we spoke the words and tossed her ashes tears came to our eyes - farewell to our Lively Lady ...

but


her former name now gone ... forward we go!  Onward and upward!

 It is said that one must wait 1 Day to allow the name purge from the Ledger of the Deep ... and so we did!



At the end of the next day, July 2,  we held our big renaming ceremony to which we had invited guests (one of whom is Lucy, the Wheaten Terrier who is owner of our friends David and Bev from Campbell River, see below with Co-Cap Catherine) to witness to and assist in celebrating our newly named Terrwyn...

Co-Captain Catherine and ceremony guest, Lucy.

The Renaming Ceremony

Co- Captains William and Catherine Norrie performed the following ceremony on July 2, 2010 to rename their sailing vessel:

Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as Terrwyn, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (At this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master and one glass for the mistress was poured into the sea from West to East.) - much to the awe of the audience...

The next step in the renaming ceremony is to appease the gods of the winds. This will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas. Because the four winds are brothers, it is permissible to invoke them all at the same time, however, during the ceremony; you must address each by name.

Begin in this manner:

Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel Terrwyn the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.

(We faced north and poured a generous libation of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the North as we intoned:) Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.

(We faced west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning:) Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.

(Faced east, repeat and fling to the East.) Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.

(Faced south, repeat, flinging to the South.) Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.

We then greeted our guests by introducing them to our newly named vessel  Terrwyn...

The Celebratory Feast

After the renaming ceremony we all trooped up to a little meadow over looking the marina (can you see Terrwyn in the midst of the other boats with her Triskelion banner proudly flying?)

and enjoyed a wonderful barbeque of hamburgers, corn on the cob, potato salad, green salad and an assortment of delicious desserts catered by April Point Marina.

 Bill with guests David and Bill...

 ...Karolyn, Mike...

 Paul and others...

Our wonderful "Wharfie", Kari, was our chief cook during the evening -

 She claimed that she had as much fun as we all did as we made sure she had constant liquid refreshment, lots of visiting and many breaks!

The Final Step: Backing Over the Old Name

First time out with the new name on the boat, we were required to luff up into the wind and drift to a complete stop, then allowed the boat to sail backwards. This represents "backing over" the old name. Sailing backwards is hard - requires a good breeze, some waves usually help, and a fair amount of skill. But the goddesses and gods that are concerned with these matters are not easy to impress!

Although it was quite difficult to do (with opposing wind and tide etc. in Discovery Channel) we were able to drift backwards for the official removal of the old name.  This is never to be done under power if one is a sailing vessel!





(Sorry about the quality of this photo - it was taken on Bill's Blackberry -which must not have been used to bright sunshine as summer seemed unattainable until now!!)





We are now planning our first major (6 days) sailing trip into Desolation Sound next week- we are hoping for good weather and fair winds...

So our next posting will be all about some of the testing of techniques (lots of anchoring, heaving to etc.), ground tackle (i.e. anchors) and other hardware that we will be doing during this little trip.  It's hard to imagine but this will be our last multi-day trip before we head off... over the horizon next June!


so, until then...


See you when we see you!


Catherine and William of SV Terrwyn