A boat's name says much about the owner. Walk along the docks of any pier and read the names on boats: Knot Easy, Second Wind, Endeavor, Yachts of Fun, are some examples. For those among us who are not so enthusiastic for a walk, or fear taking a long walk on a short pier, I refer the reader to Boat Names.
Unfortunately, the birthing or "relabeling" of boat names are sometimes made in haste. Perhaps scented mood struck the owner to which the unflattering name floated itself upon her stern; "Passing Wind." Yet, with all the naming of boats, one can change a boat's name when one desires. "Passing Wind" boats can be renamed "Passing Waves," or "Passing On," or "Passing By," or "Passing Gas ---Powered Boats." Ironically, the naming of a boat passes from owner to owner, usually.
And here my interest in the name of "Great Ketch." The Herreshoff boat is a fine looking boat; traditional lines with masts that stand majestically. As two columns of a castle rising above the horizon the stand free masts rise from the base of the hull upward toward the sky, high above the waters; with greatness looking upon the waters toward its next destination. Understanding the great aspect is easy once one looks upon the Herreshoff designed boat.
What about "Ketch?" Well, a ketch is a certain type of boat where the placement of the masts matters: "Great Ketch" is a boat with two masts. I also thought that my finding her on the hard and my acquisition of her was indeed a great catch. Great Ketch has had two previous sets of owners, and has retained her original name from her beginning.
Recently, I was in contact with one of the first original owners -- the power of the Internet. I shall call her K for respect of her privacy. K told me that one of the owner partners loved baseball; hence, the name "Great Ketch." I am glad the name wasn't something like "Strike Three", or "You're Out"-- although not original, somewhat belittle all the same.
The name of the cat ketch remains "Great Ketch." The name of the hailing port has been changed from Port Arthur, Texas to Bristol, Rhode Island. The boat builder, John Newton had the boat yard in Texas; whereas, the boat designer, Halsey Herreshoff, had a residence in Bristol, RI. For the curious, there is the Herreshoff Museum located in Bristol.
By the way, can you imagine a distress call?
"Mayday Mayday, this is "Blowing Hard," we need assistance immediately. We are taking water. We are at latitude 40.166561, longitude 72.993164 Another ship, "Passing Wind" crashed in
0.166561,-72.993164
