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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus
Captain Henry G. Ceely, Master Mariner and Marine Consultant
February 11, 2007
How would you like to pilot a nuclear submarine through the Panama Canal? Captain Henry G. Ceely of Mooresville, NC has done that and much more. During his forty year career in the maritime industry, the now retired Captain has piloted vessels of all shapes and sizes, both power and sail, including hydrofoils, hovercraft, container ships, Navy frigates and yes, nuclear subs.
Captain Ceely graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1960. He quickly advanced from the rank of a Third Mate to earning the United States Coast Guard’s highest license as Master of Ocean Steam or Motor Vessels of any Gross Tons. The retired Master Mariner has visited ports-of-call in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and in North and South America. He has commanded ships up to nine hundred and eighty-five feet in length that carried bulk, break bulk, liquid and containerized cargo.
Beginning in 1967, Captain Ceely taught Nautical Science at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA. During his nine year tenure, he instructed courses in Ship Handling, Seamanship, Meteorology and Rules of the Road. His favorite subject was Deck Training, held at sea while cadets were on annual cruises.
The highlight of Captain Ceely's career was the twenty-one years he spent as a Panama Canal Pilot. Again, he ascended the ranks rapidly and became a Senior Canal Pilot as quickly as time and service would allow. His crowning accomplishment was serving two terms as President of the Panama Canal Pilot’s Association.
As you might guess, the Captain loves to spin a yarn or two. His tales cover a myriad of experiences. Some are funny, like the one about the Captain of an Iranian freighter who was demoted after he counter-commanded Ceely's orders while passing through the Isthmus of Panama. No one knows for sure, but Capt. Ceely thinks this person may now be captaining "Ships of the Desert" (camels) across the sands of Iran.
In another recollection, Ceely told me about crewing on a "death ship". The ship had a history of jaunted accidents, including one that killed eighteen deck hands. The jinxed ship’s odyssey ended with a wave surge from a hurricane that washed it ashore near Mobile, Ala.
When I asked the top speed of a Navy Frigate, Capt. Ceely replied, "I don't know, but I had one going over forty knots and there was room to go faster.”
Another time, he was piloting a vessel through the Panama Canal when he ordered the engines full astern. Nothing happened. The ship eventually grounded. It was then that Ceely realized he was alone on the bridge. Both the Captain and Chief Helmsman had disappeared. During the investigation, the officers claimed they left the bridge unattended because it was time for dinner.
"Have you ever seen a mermaid?" I asked Captain Ceely. "No, but I did see an island that had been created a few days earlier by the eruption of an underwater volcano. The mysterious island formed near the Azores, a chain of islands NW of Portugal. A few days later, the island sank. It was never seen again or charted.
Our lunch ended before the Captain had time to tell more sea stories, but what I heard was enough to know that he loved sailing the oceans. Today, Capt. Ceely is a Maritime Consultant and Expert on Navigation, Rules of the Road, Collision and/or Accident Reconstruction.
He is available to speak to local business and civic groups. Capt. Ceely can be contacted at 704 248 8341.
Upcoming Events:
Bass & Stripers on Artificials - Seminar - February 13, 2007
Join bass angler Bobby Derrick and Capt. Gus Gustafson for an informative seminar on “How to Catch Bass and Stripers on Artificial Lures.” This 90 minute class is free and open to the pubic at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting area of the Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills Mall. Call 704-979-2200 for more information.
National Striped Bass Association's Striperfest Tournament on Lake Norman - February 17, 2007. Details are on the web at http://www.fishnsba.com/ or call The Lake Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau at 704 987 3300.
Jim Ledbetter Memorial Bass Tournament - March 10, 2007 – Queen’s Landing, Lake Norman.
Total guaranteed prize money will be over $15,000. For more information, contact Bob Patrick at
828 459 1119.
Tips from Capt Gus - Fine tuning a crank bait is easy. To adjust the side-to-side action, hold the bait facing you. Then, slightly bend the eyelet in the direction that you want the lure to swim.
Hot Spots of the week continue to be the sections of Lake Norman affected by hot water discharges. Stripers and bass are active from the Highway 150 Bridge south to marker 13 and in Ramsey Creek. The water level is 94.7 or down 5.3' below full pond. The water temperature is in the low-to-mid forties.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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