wayne west...
 In 1984 when I first started working on Godspeed I was working at Virginia
 Power in Richmond.  My second son had just been born in June.  While on
 the voyage Colin turned 1 year old. At the time of the voyage I was 30 years old
 (born 7/21/54).  Second youngest only to you. (Tanner) Although I do not
 know to this day what criteria was used to determine crew I provided the
 selection group (whoever they were) with the following information. I had
 obtained a Coast Guard Operators License (6 pack), I have worked on
 Maryland's DOVE and Manteo North Carolina's Elizabeth II.   Captain of the
 Elizabeth II wrote a letter of recommendation for me.   I am a native Virginian
 which I understand was a big issue. All of my sailing experience had been in
 the bay. I am proud to say I was this Godspeeds first boatswain. Obviously
 not the best but I tried. Not many square-rigger bosuns to confer with.

neil tanner...
After working at Glebe Point Boat Company for three years, I felt it was time for a change.  I decided to do some cruising on the Chesapeake Bay onboard my 26 foot sailboat.  It was December 1983 when I went to visit my parents, Jean and Bob on Gwynns Island.  My mother showed me a newspaper article about some boat at Jamestown that was under construction.  The article went on to say that they planned on retracing the original voyage of Godspeed, and they were looking for crew.  My folks suggested that I apply.  Although I had been sailing for 15 years and had offshore experience on scallop boats, I had never sailed square-riggers.  So reluctantly, I made up a resume which included my sailing and boat carpentry skills and following my fathers suggestion, I put down that I had a Ham Radio license.  I mailed it off and never thought I would even be considered.  I moved back to Virginia Beach and started working for Bob Jennings putting up interior trim and building decks.  In March of '84 I get a call from my mom telling me that the Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation had called and they want to meet with me!  I met with Captain George Salley and we went over my resume and the next thing I know he is shaking my hand and said "Welcome aboard, Sparks".  I had been selected as one of the original crew members acting as ships carpenter and radio operator.  I was 28 years old and  pretty excited...

mike brookman...
How I Got Involved - I found out about the voyage from Duncan Stuart, the
designer of the ship who worked at Newport News Shipbuilding. As a lark,
I applied to become a member of the crew. I had some previous experience
in square sail over twenty years prior and remembered how exciting it
was. I first met George Salley when I went sailing with him on his boat,
Gallon’s Lap, in Gloucester. This was for an evaluation he made of
prospective crew members.
Looking back I now realize I spent too much time on all this. I my family
suffered for this folly. I should have been more considerate to them. I
was obsessed and blinded by the voyage. But, I’m glad I went. It was an
experience. We were there 15 years ago this month! Was it really that
long ago? Forget Daphney (and Sybil).

<<<