The Clipper Ship Journals

Keith arrived in our store one winter day in 2014 Stephen, my son, met with him

Keith said, “I make jewelry and my great-greatgrandfather was a clipper ship sea captain from Maine ”

They talked for awhile Keith showed Stephen some of his designs. Stephen was impressed and said, “You’ve got to come back when my dad is here ”

Keith did return, and we delved deeper Keith’s greatgreat-grandfather was Captain John Drew of Hallowell on the Kennebec River Captain Drew made two trips to the Far East as captain of the clipper ship The Franklin Captain Drew carried ice over and brought back sugar and rice What was remarkable was that Captain Drew, in addition to the traditional ship’s logs, kept a personal journal that still survives today, relating daily life on board; the beauty and vastness of the sea, the storms, and challenges of running a clipper ship The journals go deep. The Captain shared his innermost thoughts, his doubts, fears, and longing for family and home

Somehow I always imagined clipper ships in constant motion, sails full of wind, the ship surging forward Captain Drew shares days with his ship becalmed, sails slack on glassy seas, and his concerns for food and water holding out Then the winds return and they are on their way again.

Keith loaned us Captain Drew’s journals, and for two years we transcribed his daily observations We have posted the original pages with our transcriptions on our website We have not changed or edited anything In the history of clipper ships I don’t believe there is anything quite like the Captain’s journals

If you would like a first-hand account of life on board The Franklin, do visit our Clipper Ship Trade Wind Jewelry Collection at www CrossJewelers com/journals

Keith follows a path similar to his great-greatgrandfather Traveling to the Far East every two years to buy gems: rubies, emeralds, and sapphires; then returning home to design and make his jewelry His story of his most recent gem expedition is also on-line, located in our Clipper Ship Trade Wind Jewelry Collection

Cross Jewelers –RHP

Bill Buckner was an All-Star who played in two World Series. During 22 major-league seasons, he won a batting title and accumulated 2,715 hits. But his legacy is

In 1986, the Red Sox advanced to the World Series for just the fourth time since 1919. Before the series began, Buckner told an interviewer, “Your dreams are that you are going to have a great series, and win. And the nightmares are that you are going to let the winning run score on a ground ball through your legs …”

The New York Mets were heavily favored, but after five games, Boston led, three games to two, one win away from their first championship in 67 years. Game 6 was tied until Boston scored twice in the top of the 10th inning. Only three outs to go for Boston. The first two Mets batters in the 10th quickly popped out. The Shea Stadium scoreboard flashed a message prematurely congratulating the Sox.

Three singles and a wild pitch later, the score was tied, celebrations on hold. When Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson chopped a slow drive down the first-base line, Buckner, mov ing slowly on injured legs, got into position, but the ball rolled past his glove and into the outfield, letting the winning run score. Two nights later, the Mets won Game 7 and the World Series. The dreaded Curse of the Bambino not only lived on but had a new poster boy: Bill Buckner.

In 1999, when The Sporting News ranked the 25 greatest moments in baseball history,

Buckner’s World Series miscue ranked eighth.

The Red Sox released Buckner in 1987, but he returned as a free agent in 1990. When he was first introduced, Red Sox

In 2008, during a hearing on the economic crisis, Representative John Yarmuth of Kentucky ridiculed former Federal

Actor Charlie Sheen purchased the “Buckner Ball” at auction in 1992 for $93,000. It was later purchased by songwriter Seth Swirsky, who loaned it to the Mets for display at their team museum. In 2012, Swirsky sold the ball for $418,250.

Buckner declined an invitation after the Red Sox finally won a championship in 2004, but three years later he received another four-minute standing ovation, throwing out the first pitch