A Life Time Memory of "Fantome"

by Denny Ward .... Seattle, Washington

Thanks for the opportunity to share my memory.

When I was young and in high school I used to sit in chemistry class at Seattle Prep and look down on Portage Bay at this beautiful sailing ship. I would watch the caretaker walk down the ladder, get into his skiff and row ashore. Later on he would come back with supplies row back and climb aboard the Fantome. I would fantasize that he would invite me aboard and show me her wonderful interior. Then to go further away from the chemistry class I would dream about sailing on this wonderful ship Fantome

In 1990 when my wife died suddenly, a friend of mine, the travel editor of the Seattle Times, suggested I would enjoy a Windjammer cruise. I looked at the brochure and saw they had a ship named the Fantome. Not knowing it was the same ship I booked a week on her. After sailing for three days I asked the captain about her history and found her to be my fantasy ship after all. Since that time I have spent many weeks on the Fantome and of course feel the pain we all feel of losing another long time friend.

Yours truely, Denny Ward