b'Hard Against the WindAs a child summering on the east coast, I was fascinated by sea stories and was particularly influenced by the childrens illustrated version of Jules Vernes book, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. As you may recall, the books main characters were aboard a whaling frigate which was sunk by Captain Nemos submarine, the Nautilus. Over the years, my fascination with whaling, the sea and sea stories has continued. I enjoyed reading various books on the subject as well as enjoying movies, etc. Also, a few years ago, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the well-known maritime artist John Stobart on two whaling related roomboxes, one of which is on display as part of the Kaye Browning Miniature Collection at the Kentucky Gateway Museum in Maysville, KY.Several years ago I was asked to join he crew of a 57-foot sailboat which was sailing from Maryland to the Virgin Islands. During that trip, I experienced the wrath of the ocean during extremely stormy weather while sailing into the eye of hurricane 136'