The Sail, Power, and Steam Museum’s Monday, Feb. 12 online speaker series, Captains’ Quarters, will feature Elliot Rappaport and his book, Reading the Glass – A Captain’s View of Weather, Water, and Life on Ships.

The talk will be held on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Attendance is free, but registration is required. To register, visit the “Music and Calendar” tab at www.sailpowersteammuseum.org.

Weather and water feature heavily in the lives of those who earn a living as sea, and we all interact with the weather on a daily basis. Recent coastal storms have reminded us all of the power of these natural forces. Author, educator, and licensed captain Elliot Rappaport has spent decades at sea, collected stories, studied the science, and written a book to help us better understand these complex systems.

A blend of science and memoir, and told through a series of tall ship voyages, Rappaport’s narrative takes readers from the icy seas of Greenland to the turbulent waters of the Strait of Gibraltar. In the vast tropical Pacific, he crosses the equator where heat, moisture, and unsettled winds churn out powerful squalls. He explains how the trade winds have carried ships westward for centuries and how ancient Polynesian explorers pushed back to the east.

“Rappaport’s stories are brimming with curiosity, wisdom, and humor and together, they reveal how weather has shaped our oceans, our history, and ourselves,” said the Museum, in a news release.

Capt. Jim Sharp, co-founder of the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, will introduce Rappaport.

In the true spirit of our maritime heritage, it is suggested that everyone grab a warm beverage, settle into the comfort of their own boat or home, and fire up the woodstove during our chilly winter evenings to join us for a fascinating evening talking about weather. To register or to see the full Captains’ Quarters winter schedule click on the “Music and Calendar” page at www.SailPowerSteamMuseum.org.