by Commodore Jim

July 18, 2008

The time is World War II. The USS SILVERSIDES, a fleet type submarine, is gliding along the surface of the Koi Sea on two main engines and has just completed a full charge on her batteries. From below, the radar operator suddenly calls out, "Multiple blips on radar, bearing 045." Captain Jim calls out, "Lookouts below. Clear the bridge. Dive! Dive!" He hits the diving alarm and the klaxon blares out, "Aoooooga, aoooooga."

The lookouts tumble from their perches and scramble for the bridge hatch, and then head to the control room to rig out and man the bow planes. The last man coming down from the bridge yanks on the lanyard to shut the hatch, and the boat starts to rapidly settle beneath the waves.

"Take her to 65 feet," says Captain Jim. The boat levels off at periscope depth and the old man is already taking a look in the direction of the contacts. "I can see multiple ships – some towboats with barges, tugs, a couple of patrol craft. Wait a minute. I also see some pleasure boats, a couple of side-wheel paddle wheelers, a stern wheeler, a sailboat, and a fast runabout. What gives?"

Well, if you haven't guessed by now, you are not reading a new edition of Run Silent, Run Deep. It seems that Captain Jim has just sailed himself into the middle of the St. Louis Admirals 2008 Regatta at the Union Station ponds (the Koi Sea should have been an early giveaway).

Each year for the past twenty, our Club boat builders, along with other boat modelers from all over the US, have come to St. Louis to sail their craft, pick up some awards and trophies, and have a thoroughly wonderful weekend of hobby enjoyment. Our Regatta will happen again this year on the weekend of September 20-21. It is a time to renew old acquaintances, talk about hobby problems solved and unsolved, meet some new people, and explain what is involved with this wonderful, fun RC hobby of ours.

I thoroughly enjoy walking along the tables and seeing the many types of craft that people have labored over to create remarkable replicas. Perhaps, even more, I enjoy seeing all of the many boats out on the ponds, some clipping through the waves of the ponds, while others push their ponderous tows around the "Koi Sea." Maybe I'm still just a kid at heart with an imagination, but by seeing model boats and ships sailing upon the waters, I can detach myself from the worries of the economy, terrorism, and natural disasters, and just for a few minutes take pleasure in a thing as simple as a fine craft sailing across the waves. Sometimes life can be good.

So please make sure that you have the Regatta dates marked on your calendar -- SEPTEMBER 20-21. If you are bringing one or more boats, please send in your registration (forms have been in the Newsletter and are available on our website), and get your boats ready for some fun sailing. "Surface."

"Aooooga. Aooooga. Aooooga."

Commodore Jim