One of my favorite Al Stewart songs, it is about Peter the Great. I found the following information online:
On June 10, 1694 Peter boarded his yacht, the St. Peter, and set out from Archangel. He traveled with the Archbishop Afanasy and a small group of friends and soldiers. Leaving with the tide, but failing to catch a good wind, they did not make it into the White Sea until the next morning.
As the day progressed, the weather conditions worsened. Eighty miles out from Archangel the small ship was beset by a gale. The sails were ripped from the masts, and water from huge swells rolled over the decks, threatening to capsize them. The crew of experienced sailors and the passengers huddled together, certain they were doomed. The Archbishop struggled around giving last rites.
Peter, however, was not as certain their fate had been sealed. He continued to struggle with the rudder to keep the bow into the wind. The pilot eventually managed to join him. Together, the pilot manning the helm, they managed to bring the boat to safety at about noon on June 12 in calm waters near the Pertominsk Monastery.
Peter was himself aware of the importance of these events in his life. This small boat was preserved, and in 1701 was taken into the Kremlin for safekeeping.
The song also echoes the story of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose. It is likely the his disciple, Peter, was also on board.
One of my favorite Al Stewart songs, it is about Peter the Great. I found the following information online:
On June 10, 1694 Peter boarded his yacht, the St. Peter, and set out from Archangel. He traveled with the Archbishop Afanasy and a small group of friends and soldiers. Leaving with the tide, but failing to catch a good wind, they did not make it into the White Sea until the next morning.
As the day progressed, the weather conditions worsened. Eighty miles out from Archangel the small ship was beset by a gale. The sails were ripped from the masts, and water from huge swells rolled over the decks, threatening to capsize them. The crew of experienced sailors and the passengers huddled together, certain they were doomed. The Archbishop struggled around giving last rites.
Peter, however, was not as certain their fate had been sealed. He continued to struggle with the rudder to keep the bow into the wind. The pilot eventually managed to join him. Together, the pilot manning the helm, they managed to bring the boat to safety at about noon on June 12 in calm waters near the Pertominsk Monastery.
Peter was himself aware of the importance of these events in his life. This small boat was preserved, and in 1701 was taken into the Kremlin for safekeeping.
The song also echoes the story of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose. It is likely the his disciple, Peter, was also on board.