We awoke this morning and got to business. That of still working on what pre-deployment preparations we could do. Some of the energy went towards figuring out the alternate methods we would have to use to accomplish this underway commitment, regardless of where we were moored stateside.

Some of the crew had arranged to rent cars and head for Charleston. We assisted in that process also, particularly for the ones who had destroyed homes to handle up north.

By afternoon, the entire playing field changed. We received orders to get underway and return to Charleston. It turns out that between the Charleston Pilots Association, the Navy (using the minesweepers in Charleston) and I believe the Coast and Geodesic Service, had conducted several surveys of the navigational channel, and the Coast Guard had installed temporary buoys and range markers, all in a 5 day time frame. The channel had not been affected and remained as before.

Preps to get underway, again, but now getting us closer to, and not further from home. The mood improved.The Crucible full

Two Weeks Vacation Albert Fish: In Sin He Found Salvation