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https://www.medievalists.net/2025/03/black-sea-winter/

I blame Bob

What's new? it is dangerous all year now.
Interesting post Dave. I have only experienced the Black Sea in summer.

I hadn't thought about ports icing up in the Black Sea before.

Black ice... 

Quote from: Imperial Dave on March 20, 2025, 11:26:20 AMBlack ice... 

Coming over all cyberpunk 

 

Quote from: Erpingham on March 20, 2025, 10:26:28 AMI hadn't thought about ports icing up in the Black Sea before.

You should read about the Soviet amphibious assault in the winter of 1941-2 that attempted to relieve the siege of Sevastopol, and, even by Soviet standards, the appalling losses they took; basically anyone wounded on the Kerch straits beaches froze to death where they lay.  Given the troops had waded ashore neck deep through broken ice, none of them were  in a good state...

I have sailed the Black Sea in winter and probably don't ever want a repeat of that experience. Storm blew in out of nowhere, so black sea and sky. It was pretty wild. Ended up putting in at Sinop for 2 days.

I also remember the guy in the galley cut his finger off and ran up and down the deck screaming, then did a lap around the dining room for good measure. With the ship being tossed around in the storm as well, confidence was declining....

Landing at Sinop we moved about like drunken sailors on wobbly legs. I think the ship was stationary and the land was moving.

I was very surprised at how quickly the storm came in and just how rough it got. Also, as I mentioned, the sea and sky were inky black so easy to be disorientated. That we headed for a safe harbour even in a modern ship makes me wonder how many smaller wooden boats lie at the bottom of the Black Sea?

Sounds like my experience on the Aegean. Minus the screaming sailor.

I think the moral of this story is to never go to sea, like that admirable ruler of the Queen's navy!

Quote from: Imperial Dave on March 22, 2025, 06:07:47 AMSounds like my experience on the Aegean. Minus the screaming sailor.

You were cheated, write to your holiday supplier and demand your screaming sailor!
Your consumer rights have been breached!

A good set of souwesters are essential 

Quote from: Jim Webster on March 22, 2025, 12:56:40 PM

Quote from: Imperial Dave on March 22, 2025, 06:07:47 AMSounds like my experience on the Aegean. Minus the screaming sailor.

You were cheated, write to your holiday supplier and demand your screaming sailor!
Your consumer rights have been breached!

To be fair there were a lot of crying passengers huddled inside