China Sea has Moved! (Maine, USA)

Subject: China Sea has Moved!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 09:09 PM

The China Sea Marine Trading Co., where some of us have been hanging out periodically for sea shanty sessions amidst the nautical bric-a-brac and banter from Capt. Bunker and his wife Sharon, has indeed moved out of Portland's Old Port to various rental storage units. Sad to see the empty shop but what a glorious move. Several Roll & Go members made themselves useful including myself, Uncle Jaque, and Sinsull, and at least half a dozen others. There were at least three truck loads of the heavy stuff, two van loads of art work, and two pickup loads of spare nautical parts. Today we moved the heavy stuff: the three cannons (a stubby 12 pounder, a longer 9 pounder, and a long 6 pounder), three or four rusty anchors, a capstan, a windlass, and display cases. What joy to muscle a cannon in and out of the moving van, to be ultimately deposited in Capt. Bunker's driveway; that should keep the neighbors at a respectable distance. No one got seriously injured in the process but I bet there are a few aches in the lower back area tomorrow morning.

Anyway, some of us are going to help scout our a new place for the shop, hopefully a permanent place. Be nice if there was a bar and a fireplace to gather around as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, ready to pack it in.

Subject: RE: China Sea has Moved!
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 09:14 PM

I apologize for being less than helpful. My sole contribution was some empty cartons. The street was blocked by cars and snow. A truck, stuck at the top of the street, was threatening to break loose and come down on me. I tried to find parking without luck and so headed for home. That too was an adventure. A van was parked in the middle of the street and apparently planning to stay there until I came slipping along. With a baleful glance and a muttered curse he moved. Hope the boxes helped.
Mary

Subject: RE: China Sea has Moved!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 08:51 AM

Sharon made good use of your boxes, Mary. And, yes, navigating around the various other cars and trucks in the snowed up Old Port was a continuing adventure.

My guess is that Bunker and a few intrepid souls will be down at the store today to see if they've forgotten anything in yesterday's frenzy of moving.

We only came within an inch of taking out one of the iron supporting posts with the rolling 9 pounder (which weighs about 800 pounds on its carriage); we should have done some video. Of course when we reached the back door to the loading dock we discoverd that the cannon carriage was an inch or two too wide for the door frame, and while some suggested continuing on full speed ahead, a cooler head prevailed and we dismounted the cannon with rope and pry bars, lumped it through the door and down the ramp into the truck, and sent the carriage after it. What joy!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, who's going to soak a while this morning

Subject: RE: China Sea has Moved!
From:
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 09:53 AM

Geeze, Mary, turned out your packing material was priceless. We needed and used every bit of it, despite Bunker's insistence that we had too many boxes. And we totally understood your predicament regarding navigating around Portland after a 20-inch snowfall.

Kudos to our wonderful helpers, who "move" as well as they sing! We couldn't have done it without the fabulous Norris Dale, the intrepid Ipcar, and dear Uncle Jacque.

We are indebted to you great folks.

Sharon

Subject: RE: China Sea has Moved!
From:
Date: 31 Dec 02 - 10:33 AM

I can now testify to the world that brother Charles Ipcar definitely knows how to turn in a day's solid work. Nothing looked more natural than seeing Uncle Jacque and Charley Noble manhandle a nine-pounder gunnade across the deck of China Sea. If I need gunners on my next schooner I'll know where to look.

Norris--among other tasks--took on the thankless, filthy job of cleaning our bilges. He looked for all the world like a man intent on exploring the many expanding opportunities in the field of manual labor. The basement hasn't looked this good in 75 years.

Now I know you guys have strong backs as well as strong voices. Your help has certainly warmed our hearts. Wherever China Sea lands, Roll & Go and friends will always have a home. Stay tuned.
Bunker

Subject: RE: China Sea has Moved!
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Jan 03 - 12:40 AM

Cleaned the bilges? Did he have a go at that sink or just leave it and forfeit your security deposit? It looked and smelled bad and I will miss it. Wonder what the Boutiquers will make of it?

Subject: RE: China Sea has Moved!
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Jan 03 - 08:57 AM

Sinsull-

The sink in the catacombs, next to the seat of ease, probably represents "found" condition, predating China Sea's lease and probably Capt. Henry Mowat's bombardment of the area back in 1775 as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble