Camp Morehead By-The-SeaVirpetual* Reunion Web Site

"Lost At Sea"
by Tommy Bridgers

"I was looking through the database of names and was surprised that Fletcher Somers name was not in the list. I have many great memories of he and I running down the pier, after morning inspection and after quiet hour following lunch, to get first dibs on a comet or lightning. We had a lot of fun sailing all over that sound in the early 1950's. There was one unauthorized sailing trip when we didn't return for lunch, stayed out for the entire day, had a great time sailing, and created a minor stir with Cap'n Pat, Purcell, and several counselors.

Looking back it was a crazy thing to do. We sailed over to Hoffman's Pier in the morning and then we got the wild idea that it would be a great adventure to sail on to Salter Path. Of course the only way we could possibly sail that distance was to skip lunch, so we did! Needless to say the frowns on Cap'n Pat and Purcell's faces were quite apparent and were in stark contrast to the smiles that Fletcher and I sported as we came sailing back just before supper time into the mooring area!

I remember Fletcher and I walking proudly up the pier, as conquerors of the mighty Bogue Sound that we foolishly believed ourselves to be. For as far as we were concerned, we had just proven ourselves to be the best sailors at Camp Morehead! Of course, the counselors had a slightly different view: that Bridgers and Somers were two out-of-control campers who have just proven themselves to be idiots, totally disregarding every safety rule known to all Camp Morehead campers. Naturally Fletcher and I thought our view was more accurate! But whatever the punishment was, it must have made a convincing impression on us. For we never again set sail on an unauthorized all day sailing trip!"

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