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Fall 2000

Sail Trainee for a trip from Bristol, RI to Port Townsend, NY

Napajohnb
2006-01-03 15:15:03

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Note: In the following narrative I describe hard work and many aches and pains. Please note that these are not required to sail on the Rose. While there are no passengers on the Rose, all trainees are allowed to set their own limits. It's just my nature to push mine.

9/10/00
The first view of the Rose from the dock at Bristol was impressive. She is a beautiful ship and though she is no clipper, she looks formidable to a lubber like me.
The ship is open to the public and it was a very different feeling to come aboard with my bag followed by the curious looks of the touring public. I have often toured large sailing craft, wishing that I could sail when they left port. As I walk the deck with my nephew, Gary, I hear a woman say, "I wish I was sailing on her." Then I suddenly realize that I need wish no more.

As we walk the decks I look at the maze of ropes and realize that my reading and memorizing mean nothing at this point, I cannot recognize a single thing. Well, things are as they are, I will learn what I need to, I suppose. My expectation has been replaced by anxiety; will I be able to do this?

Soon enough Gary has left and after being greeted by the mates, Jesse and Robert, I am shown below and assigned to my bunk. It seems that there is only one other trainee aboard so I have a whole section of a compartment to myself. The professional crew can sail the ship alone so the trip is a go regardless of the number of trainees, that is a relief.

I go topside and watch the crew at play, and they seem a wild and unruly bunch of kids, as they engage in a water gun fight and proceed to throw one of their number off the dock. I stand to one side, a bit shy to mix and I can see them sizing me up with sideways glances as they talk together. I imagine that after seeing a few hundred trainees come and go you might hold back from a hearty ...