December 3, 2007

Manic Monday: Ship

Morgan chose SHIP as the Manic Monday theme this week. The ultimate ship that you could take on the high seas would be in a yacht. The ultimate yacht event in the world is the America's Cup.


On August 22, 1851, the U.S.-built schooner America beat a fleet of Britain's finest ships in a race around England's Isle of Wight. The ornate silver trophy won by the America was later donated to the New York Yacht Club on condition that it be forever placed in international competition.


Today, the "America's Cup" is the world's oldest continually contested sporting trophy and represents the pinnacle of international sailing yacht competition.

From 1870 until the late 20th century, New York Yacht Club-sponsored U.S. yachts successfully defended the America's Cup 24 times in races generally spaced a few years apart. Since the 1920s, the America's Cup race has been between one defending vessel and one challenging vessel, both of which are determined by separate elimination trials. In 1983, the United States lost the trophy for the first time in 132 years when Australia II defeated Liberty off Newport, Rhode Island.

I was surprised to learn that the first African participant in the America's Cup was a yacht from South Africa called Shosholoza, which is the Zulu word meaning "to move forward". You can learn much more from the official website of Team Shosholoza.

There are some remarkable crew members on Team Shosholoza including Marcello Burricks (South Africa), Solomon Dipeere (South Africa), Moctar Falls (Senegal), Joe Heywood (Zimbabwe), Golden Mgedeza (South Africa) and Ashton Sampson (South Africa).

Villagers, I must tell you a secret ... I've never been on a yacht before. Have you?


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've had the privilege of being on a retired America's Cup Yacht for a "touristy" excursion and it was total fun!

I learned that sailing one of those 12 meter yachts is hard work, but is so much fun when it just effortlessly glides on the water and you can kick back and enjoy it.

Thanks for letting me relive my St. Maarten excursion on this dreary, cool rainy day!

:-D)

Unknown said...

Lois - Glad to be of service! Oddly enough I mistakenly went to a Morgen meme post from Jan 2007 when the word was CRUISE. I wrote my meme to fit the word CRUISE. I got lucky that the correct word was SHIP and my meme post would still work just by changing CRUISE to SHIP in the title and the first sentence. Of course, now the URL for this meme is permanently connected to CRUISE ... ah well ... thanx for your visit!

maryt/theteach said...

The web site and song for Shosholoza was fantastic. Thanks Villager! Thanks for stopping by my post, too.:)

Funny about CRUISE and SHIP and how it worked out...

Durward Discussion said...

That is fascinating. I've always enjoyed the America's cup but never heard of the Shosholoza. Thank you.

Ian said...

I've never been on a yacht either. Have you ever seen the movie Wind? It makes the whole yacht race thing really exciting.

Happy MM!

Ian

Sandee said...

Another wonderful history lesson. I didn't know this either. Have a great MM. :)

Anonymous said...

I've never been on a yacht either. Great MM post!!

Anonymous said...

Interesting happy MM. mine is here http://happymomiam1.bravejournal.com/entry/25227

Unknown said...

Ships AHOY on my blog!!!!!!!!!! Everything looks SHIP SHAPE here.

LOL

Neila said...

Great MM post! I've never been into America's Cup. Living in Kansas, it's not a huge passion around here. :-) Not suprisingly, I've never been on a yacht either. I need to put that on my "Things To Do" list!

Crazy Working Mom said...

Your MM posts are always so informative and this one is no different! :)

Great job. Have a great MM.

Durward Discussion said...

The records for pre Civil War are difficult, but black heritage is a fast
growing and getting to be well researched branch of genealogy. I was able to
help one woman get back to one couple, their location, and owner prior to
freedom

Unknown said...

Ian - Yes, I've watched the movie Wind a couple of times. I liked it each time. I can't recall the name of the actress in it ... but, I enjoyed watching her very much as well (smile).

Jamie - Thank you. I haven't done any research over the past few years. Perhaps I will give it another go...

Unknown said...

I've never been into yachting that much, but I really enjoyed your post. Happy MM!

Gattina said...

I have to say that I am not interested in ships at all, lol ! except a cruise ship ! I have been on a yacht, but besides the fact that it looked beautiful inside, it is not big enough for me to travel !

Janna said...

Very interesting! I love water and have always wanted to ride on a yacht. In fact, it's been a long time since I've ridden on a boat of ANY kind.
I miss that!

Shelia said...

While growing up I was surrounded by people that loved watching or attending the America's Cup competition, but I never seemed to really catch the fever.

Great post though, the history of it just may make me pay a bit more attention.

Julie said...

Great post Villager...thanks for stopping by and reminding me of you! I've never been on a yacht but I would love to!

Lisa Ryan said...

No, I have not! As a matter of fact, I just sailed for the first time last spring in Key West. On a beautiful 3 mast boat to watch the sunset. Happy MM!

Marilyn said...

I've never been on a yacht either... we're kinda landlocked here.

Travis Cody said...

My second date with my Lady was at her friend's engagement party on a private yacht. We sailed for several hours around Lake Washington. It was pretty cool.

Happy MM!

Unknown said...

All - Thank you for sharing your village voice this week on Manic Monday: Ship! I invite you to visit other posts here in our village if you have time or inclination.

peace, Villager