Sailing on a Tall Mast Ship

Alexander Kent’s sailing stories piqued my interest in the Age of Sail. At Sydney Harbor, Ken and I ventured on a two-hour sail on a tall mast ship around the harbor. The wood ship was fascinating and intimidating at the same time.

You know the ratlines, those rope steps? Let me tell you, those steps are far, far apart. This Grandma Moses of middle grades stories wanted to climb the ratlines, oh how, I wanted to climb those ratlines along with the kids. But common sense prevailed, and I did not chance injury.

I did not realize this, but shanties were sung at the slow pace of the working sailor. If ye stop to think about it, ‘tis logical. Today, performers sing shanties at a faster pace.

Try pulling heavy canvas sails on a tall mast ship. I did. It ain’t easy, and I had a dozen mates pulling with me. I had no breath to yell out a response to anything let alone a sea shanty. And, no, we could not furl that sail. I, for one, ate humble pie.

Kids peppered the sailors with questions. Asking about food, one girl turned green when a sailor said they knocked weevils out of the biscuits before they dunked it in their drink to soften it. Fortunately, she didn’t lose her cookies. We passengers gained new respect for sailors and the hard life aboard ship.

One of my favorite movies is Master and Commander, the Far Side of the World with Russell Crowe. I am impressed with the accuracy of history down to the splinter the doctor removed after battle. I catch a new fact every time I watch it.


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