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We would like to introduce you
to a family of sailors, now 3 generations are sailing together, ranging in age from 2 to
92! Our dear friend, Capt. Charles
H. Mead, U.S.N. Ret, began his sailing career, 86 years ago, at the ripe old age of
7, when he sailed in the opening day of the Pan Pacific Exposition Regatta, San
Francisco's' celebration, marking the completion of the brand new Panama
Canal. From those exciting and early days on San Francisco Bay, "Captain
Charlie" joined the U.S. Navy and served at the Battle of Midway, attaining the rank
of Captain, by the time of his retirement.
Most people who spend their lifetime endeavors, in a
pursuit as demanding as service at sea, would be content to spend their "golden"
years puttering at hobbies such as tending a garden. This was not the case with
"Captain Charlie", who not only joined a construction supply firm in Washington
D.C. after retirement, but who also purchased an Alberg 30, "Bounty" and with
his son "Chico" and daughter Eva, became an active, if not renowned, very
competitive member of the Annapolis Sailing community.
We first met "Captain Charlie" in 1980 in the
Bahamas, while he was on an extended cruise with his daughter Eva. Shortly after that
cruise, then in his 70's, "Captain Charlie" bought a Valiant 40, taking delivery
in Bellingham Washington, sailed again through the Panama Canal to deliver his new
"home" to the Chesapeake Bay. Until 2 years ago, "Captain
Charlie" lived onboard and sailed between the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida
and Annapolis, most
often single handing. He named this boat "LEO", after the first vessel he
ever took command of, the U.S.S. Leo, (AKA-60), which was an attack cargo ship. The U.S.S.
Leo, with "Captain Charlie" in command, saw two major actions in the Pacific, at
both the invasion of Iwo Jima and the invasion of Okinawa. "Captain Charlie"
first took command of the U.S.S. Leo in Puget Sound, only a few miles from the birthplace
of his Valiant 40 "Leo" and he said at that time that the last ship he intended
to command, would be his beautiful yacht "LEO".
His children have married and daughter Eva, along with
her sailing husband, Tarrant Lomax of Annapolis, Maryland, have given Charlie his first
grandchild 3 years ago. So, we would like to introduce you all to
"Charlie" Lomax, clown and sailor.
Eva and Tarrant sent the 2 following photos, the first
which Eva captured as "Charlie" decided to mimic dad and granddad! Though
this looks like a staged photo, it is not. This child has been sailing since infancy and
is like any kid trying on dads cloths, his dad, mom and granddad, just happen to be
consummate sailors….looks like he will be too! Picture # 2 is little Charlie at the
galley hatch at just 2 years old. |
