The Ship's Log

June 15: Sailing with Harvard Kent Elementary School

Logged on Monday June 17, 2013

IMG_6276This week in Boston, Roseway and crew welcomed once again 4th graders on board for a week of programing.  Our afternoons were filled with sailing adventures with the Harvard Kent Elementary School.  Each day rain or shine, the students came running down the gangway to the ship overflowing with enthusiasm.  Our week was filled with diving into the aspects of communication, teamwork, trust, self-worth and understanding what it means to be a part of a crew.  The students also looked into the physics of lift and the science of buoyancy to develop an understanding of how it’s possible for a 260 ton ship to sail.  They tested their strength with a tug-of-war challenging during their simple machines lesson and challenged their fears while climbing the rig.  While on board, the crew gave each student a behind the scene look at what life it like aboard the Roseway.  The week ended with our final circle, talking about what they were proud of.  We were greeted with comments like “now I know I am brave, “ “I now know that I can challenge myself and face my fears,” and “I love the Roseway and want to come back next year”!  All in all, it was a great week for students and crew!   Thank you Harvard Kent Elementary and Haley Pilot School for another wonderful week!

June 7: Sailing with Haley Pilot School

Logged on Monday June 10, 2013

photoThis week, Roseway welcomed aboard 4th graders from Haley Pilot School for a week of programing.  Each morning the crew was greeting by children running down the pier bursting with energy and enthusiasm.  To start the program off, students and crew participated in “I’m a stars!” leaping high into the air and shouting “I’m A Star!” as loud as possible.  When asked why we started our morning this way, students replied because we are awesome!  Not only are we awesome, but it was a wonderful way to get the day started, wake up and have some fun.  On board, they were immersed within Roseway’s life and lessons, challenging themselves by climbing the rig, discovering the science involved in sailing, and learning about the extensive history of the Boston Harbor.

No matter what kind of weather Boston has brought this week, the crew and students have had an amazing time setting the sails and exploring aboard Roseway.  We are looking forward to our next adventure this upcoming week once again with Haley Pilot School and Harvard Kent Elementary School!

May 24: Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School Finished Last Program

Logged on Saturday May 25, 2013

photo-(1)Are you kidding me!? This was amazing! We started the day by water testing on the pier to see how clean or polluted the water is in the harbor. We came onto the boat thereafter to take a tour. We got to see the nooks and crannies and started our station work. The groups worked on stations about Boston’s development, Math Science Fun, Seamanship, and Active watch. We steered the boat and learned about Boston and ways that we Bostonians are keeping the water clear. During that time, groups climbed the rig and sat on the bowsprit watching over the city and the islands. Desiree now has the record for the buoyancy/cargo ship building competition. We worked together as a whole crew to lift the 2,000 pound main sail. The meals we ate were amazingly delicious, and the desserts were wicked sweet.  Right now everyone is working on their chores for the night. When we are done with our chores we are going to bed, but are going to have to wake up in the middle of the night to do our night/anchor watches. We all have our sea legs by now, and can walk around the ship no problem.

The Fore Sails: Brendan, Matt, Desiree and Carolyn

May 22: Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School Sails On

Logged on Wednesday May 22, 2013

photo2First Today, we tested the water  for ph,  phosphate, and other stuff in Boston Harbor.  as we were freezing in the cold, we realzed that we had a mission to complete. We struggled through the cold harsh air of the harbor, but we didn’t give up.  And we were rewarded with success, and a boat. The boat was something we had never seen before; it was old and a national historic landmark.  But like everything, the reward wasn’t perfect. It was colder on the boat, and we could see each other’s shake and shiver. We ignored our problems and did our needed tasks. We all knew if we gave up now this would be all for nothing.  Now as we are in the endless ocean we now look forward to what is next.

May 21: Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School Sails Boston

Logged on Tuesday May 21, 2013

IMG_0152We left school at around 3:30, after the end of the school day. We travelled by bus to Boston Harbor. We saw the group who had sailed before us and waved and said “hi” to the people. We dropped our bags on the dock and then broke into three groups, got field journals, and tested the water for physical and chemical properties, including clearness, living organisms (such as sea stars), and acidity. When we came back to the ship, our bags had disappeared. We then realized that the crew had nicely put our bags in our sleeping areas. We circled up with the crew of the Roseway and had the crew go around and introduce themselves. We did ten “Imastar!”s, and three extra for good luck (and bad math). We had a discussion about expectations, respect, listening, trust, and communication. It was finally time to get on the boat. We walked up the gangway to enter the ship. We got a tour of the many parts of the boat, and the crew pointed out the flashlights and fire extinguishers everywhere. We made a human knot using the people of our group, and we moved on to real knots with short pieces of rope. The crew set the anchor while we discussed how the anchor worked. Jumbo went to prepare the food while the rest of us learned about Roseway’s history. Rain sprinkled over the ship, and Adam Finke insisted that we should have made offerings to Poseidon, lord of the seas. People were then called to eat food, and people came back for seconds, thirds, and even fourths. Brett even put a fork in his hat. The chicken and beef tacos were delicious. After dinner, we got brownies that were scrumptious. We came back into our groups and were assigned chores. We had to write the ship’s log, which we obviously did.

Josh Dunbrack, Adam Finke, Paige Cummins, Kristen Pinsky

May 20: Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School Sets Sail Again

Logged on Monday May 20, 2013

ship's-log-May-19thWe woke up to a bright sunny morning.  Little did we know that the sky would soon turn against us.  After a short while at school we boarded the bus and set way to Fan Pier in Boston.  Getting there we realized how cold it actually was (especially the people wearing shorts and a tank top) and the teachers were not exaggerating.  We were greeted by Katie who took us down to the docks. We then circled up and were split into groups.  Once we were in groups we played small get to know each other games.  We all boarded the boat one by one and were given a tour. We were taken to the fish hold which could hold tons of fish but is now turned into bunks.  We then got the names of the ship parts burned into our brains by the crew. The boat ride today was absolutely freezing and full of learning to tie various knots. None of us could wait for dinner which was very delicious. The steamy shepherd’s pie warmed our chilled bones and we were pleasantly surprised with cake afterwards. We were then instructed with our chores and here we are now writing you this wonderful, lovely, creative ship log. And now is our poem about Roseway:

Oh Roseway, oh Roseway

You stayed near the bay

Until the day came

And there is no blame

They took your lovely passengers

Off to sea.

 By Hudson B., Lacey E., and Alex W.

May 16: Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School – Group II

Logged on Thursday May 16, 2013

photoToday was a very riveting time, but there is more to come. In the morning, we took water samples of the tranquil ocean near the dock. We then climbed aboard our trusty stallion, the Roseway.  Then we sailed underneath the roaring airplanes taking off from the Logan Airport, and we got to experience eating crispy fish sticks, the savory tater tots, fresh salad, and some desserts like Blondies and corn bread under the orange sunset. We are working on daily chores and currently, us (the four sail group), are writing this very ship log you are reading this very moment. We anxiously await our turn to do the nightly anchor watch. We broke down into groups of four to five people and the groups were named after the each of the ship’s sails. The names of those magnificent sails from front to back are the jib sail, the jumbo (sadly the smallest sail), the fore sail (That’s us!), and the main sail. Each group was taken on a tour and was assigned to their very own jobs. We are excited about tomorrow. We get to put up the sails, climb the rig (very dangerous), and learn all about the life of a sailor. Tomorrow awaits us so the “fore sails” are signing off.

                                                                                                                                 - Gaby O, Isabel F, Jack F, and Jake B.

May 16: Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School Aboard

Logged on Thursday May 16, 2013

Ships_log_05.16.13Today we got on the bus and drove 30 minutes to get to Fan Pier in Boston.  We got out of the bus and it was so windy that some people looked like they were going to fly away. Their hats looked like they were going to fly off!  After we got off the bus we met with the crew on the dock and we did 10 “I’m a stars”; where we jumped up in the shape of a star and yelled “I’m a star.”  After that we got into 4 groups : Jibs, Jumbo, Forsail, and Mainsail; played the human knot game, and got the grand tour. After leaving the dock we heard the story about the history of the Roseway boat and we went into the Harbor. We passed bouys and islands.  When we got to where we were sleeping, we dropped the anchor off the side of the bow. It is five hundred pounds. Then we learned how to tie knots: The figure 8, the bowline, the clove hitch, the reef knot.  We had a delicious dinner with a chocolate chips dessert. After chores we are going to turn in to our new bunks for the night. Tonight we will wake up during the night at different times for anchor watch, check the boat, and have a fun activity. We are excited for tomorrow for putting the sails up, climbing the rig, and learning about the navigation charts. This is watch group “Jib” signing off.

Mackenzie, Ana, Tom, Dorcas, Rebecca, Jessica – Jib Watch Group

April 6: Soaking in Savannah

Logged on Saturday April 6, 2013

Roseway is back in Savannah.  It is official; the winter is over for the crew aboard Roseway.  After a successful program with Ashley Hall students from St. Croix to Charleston marking the end of the St. Croix season, the crew took a brief reprieve before hopping south to our spring home at the Westin Riverfront here in Savannah.  Friday will begin our first day of educational programs and sunset sails.

The vessel and crew fared well on the trip north.  A few days of cleaning and maintenance washed off the salt and has the old girl primed for a month of programming in Savannah.  We will say goodbye to some of the crew while welcoming new members during this period of slight transition from winter to the summer season.  We are looking forward to working with local schools during day programs on the Savannah River.  If you are traveling through or can make it to Savannah, please join us on a sunset cruise past River Street and the Talmadge Memorial Bridge.  The first sunset sail is Friday followed by afternoon sails and evening sails every Saturday and Sunday.

The weather has been a bit dreary upon our arrival.  But like the adage says, ‘April showers bring May flowers.’  Quite a productive Spring is lined up looking forward to a busy May after our time here in Savannah transiting north to Boston at the beginning of the month.  Plus the additional fresh water rinse never hurts.

~ Rodney Bohner, Crewmember

March 31: Ashley Hall Girls Arrive Home Today

Logged on Sunday March 31, 2013

After ten days of a thrilling adventure at sea sailing from St. Croix, the girls of Ashley Hall School will arrive in Charleston tonight between 7:00pm and 8:00pm at the Charleston Maritime Center. They will no doubt be met and greeted by eager parents and friends who await all the sea stories.

Stay tuned for more news of the ship as we voyage to Savannah and begin April programming with the local schools there.