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| Skipper at the helm of PICTON CASTLE |
A Seaman Sails On
Captain Arthur M. Kimberly cast off for his final voyage on 17 September, 2011, at the age of 89. He passed peacefully in his retirement home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in the company of his sister Jane Meyer and several of his former crew from the brigantine ROMANCE, including Capt. Dan Moreland (master, PICTON CASTLE), Pat Nelson, and Clyde Sanadi.
Known as “Skipper” to all who sailed with him, Capt. Kimberly and his wife Gloria sailed ROMANCE from 1966 to 1989 on voyages throughout the Caribbean, South Pacific, and around the world. In those years he trained hundreds of young seamen in the proper way of a ship. Skipper was well qualified to do so, as one of the last Americans who sailed around Cape Horn in commercial square-riggers.
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| ROMANCE |
In recognition of his contributions to sail training, Capt. Kimberly was awarded ASTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and the Distinguished Service Award of the National Maritime Historical Society in 2008.
For those of us lucky enough to sail with Skipper, it was the best apprenticeship that a young seafarer could ever hope for. For those who follow after, know that his legacy is alive and well and hard at work in many fine vessels throughout the Tall Ships America fleet and around the world.
Skipper was never a self-promoter, and he didn’t write books. His renown was built just by being himself - a tough, experienced, and authentic seaman. Few, though, have had greater impact on the current broad scope of sail training in America than Capt Arthur Kimberly. It is time now to say goodbye to the man, and pay our utmost respects to his great life of the sea.
-Bert Rogers, Executive Director
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| Skipper sailmakes with Sophie on PICTON CASTLE |
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