Sailing the Euterpe

Last night we took all of our 7th graders to the Euterpe. A sailing boat to spend the night. Needless to say I am so tired today! The purpose is “living history” I teach a 7th grade World History class and we discussed the fact that in the 1800s men would become sailors to earn a living, usually when they could not do anything else or had no where to go. It was a common way to earn a living. Our ship the Euterpe was leaving London and we were all men who were to be the crew. So I was Mr.Blankenship and all of my students were called by last names only. We were divided up into different crews, I have to say I really enjoyed my crew. We were the boatswains- in charge of ringing the bells on the ship. Did you know that no one had time pieces so they were all listening to the bells on the ship. They ring every 30 minutes, in pairs so you could hear 1-8 different bells. Sailors would work 4 hours then get a break for 4 hours. So we were the time keepers. Anyway, all the students got to do hands on things, coiling rope, furling the sails, riding the boatswains chair, etc. The kids all did stuff, the tall sailors (adults) just stood back and watched. Plus so much fun singing – we had to learn all kinds of fun songs to do while we worked.. What would you do with a drunken sailor- no one like a drunk on the ship, or Rio Grande, Roll the Chariot, Leave her Johnny . It was great! So fun. However, when it came to night time, I realized quickly I would not want to a) be a sailor or b) live in the 1800s. Not that I needed this demonstration before hand. We had to sleep on the boats floor with sleeping bags only, no pillows and we all had to do 2 hours of night watch. So my crew was lucky enough to go first. I was thankful for that. So we got to do 4 different things on deck while others were sleeping. I was so tired today when we got back. None of us had to go back to school thank goodness. I took a 2 hour nap!

Reflecting on life in the 1800s it made me realize that we really have it made. We are living in such a time as this, running water, comfortable beds, choices galore, I can’t imagine living in a different time like that. waiting for loved ones gone on a ship for months, up to a year even. Plus, in those times, there was no communication like today. Getting word from a loved one was rare. There was no internet, phones from ships, letter writing was the way. A very romantic way even now. But you could hopefully pass a ship heading to your home port and if so they would take letters back for you. Without that your loved ones would have to wait for you on land, praying for your safety. It makes me think of those in the navy today, having to leave their loved ones, months to years. Going to places like Iraq for our freedom. Yet in times past that was the norm. So different than today.