Working
on the Water Program, 0900-1100 It must be fall
now, because today was the first of at least 6
days of dockside Working on the Water programs
alongside the New Bedford State Pier. The Friends
Academy brought about 40 fourth-graders onboard
to live a day in the life of a New Bedford
fisherman in the 1890s.
In four groups, students imagined a diet of
fish hearts and onions and blood-end
stew and told their own fishing stories and
compared them to the tales of dory fishermen from
a century ago. They learned how to navigate their
way around a nautical chart; and imagined
themselves as captains of a Grand Banks Fishing
Schooner. Volunteer Paul Anthony was on hand once
again, to lend his special touch to the workings
of a block-and-tackle system. And, most important
of all, they got a taste of the vital role of
fish salter on a salt-banker. The group enjoyed
their lunch in Tonnessen Park, then made their
way up to the Seamans Bethel in town.
After the program, crew got to work preparing
our topsails for down rig. Chief Mate Jed, with
deckhands LeeAnne and Kristen, unbent our jib
topsail and hauled it off the bowsprit. Jay and
Frank climbed aloft to de-rig our main topsail.
Our fore topsail had been de-rigged in Boston
when Gwen was onboard. All hands helped to coil
sheets, downhauls, outhauls, etc., put rig tags
on blocks and lines and sails, and fold and bind
the sails for storage. Jed repaired a small hole
in the jib topsail before we put it away for the
winter. Its sad to think that our
full-sails-flying trips are over for this year.
It was a good start for the seasons downrig
in November.
Program Coordinator: MaryHelen Gunn
Chief Mate: Jed Deering
|
|