"Fantome" . . . A Way of Life

Over two decades ago, we chartered Fantome for a cruise through the Bahamas. A large group of my friends were scheduled to attend a financial services convention in Florida, so the fun and relaxation connection were perfect.

We ended up having a fantastic time. Sure, the showers only occasionally provided really hot water. And, the thin vinyl mattresses weren't the best when the air conditioning didn't work perfectly. But, who cared? Time came close to standing still and we enjoyed the islands of the Bahamas like the cruising sailors which several of our group were.

Friendships with crew members began, relationships which lasted for years - some to this very day. Many who were working one of their first jobs as crew now own restaurants, are teachers, run small businesses . . . and have been in our homes when visiting Southern California.

Many of my friends returned with me again to Fantome and other WJ tallships. Other friends and clients got hooked by hearing of our good times. We've sailed every WJ tallship and the Fantome alone, over the years, saw about one thousand of my "Captain Ahab's Misguided Tours" shipmates and their friends.

I don't have to outline the delightful change of pace one experiences when visiting Jammers from the workaday world. You wouldn't be reading this if you haven't already seen the billowing sails fill to the haunting strains of Amazing Grace. Of all the fulfilling memories we all have from Jamming, none remains so vivid as Amazing Grace. Seeing the sails hauled up the masts to two-block while the bagpipes play is like looking into a bit of Heaven beyond the blue skies which form the backdrop.

And today, when we look to Heaven, we're seeing the spirit of the thirty one who sailed Fantome to her final voyage.

Fantome changed a lot of crewmembers' lives for the better. They learned the ship, they learned and honed their many responsibilities and some continued their roles on other Jammers, on other ships and in other businesses. Like the rewarding changes they made in our lives, many changed their own.

The heritage of Fantome now lives on with Flying Cloud, Polynesia, Yankee Clipper, Mandalay and Legacy. Like Yankee Trader before them, some will not be with us at some point in the future. Yet, las will our thirty one friends who took their final voyage, the memories of these ships will live on in our own souls as we recall the wonderful times aboard Windjammer tallships.

Frank M. Gleberman,

FGleberman@aol.com
(Captain Ahab)