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With calm seas and clear skies, Boy
Scout Troop 1 from Hopkinton, MA set out from the State Pier
on Saturday, May 31. The scouts came on an overnight sail with
the Ernestina hoping to learn about the operation,
design and life on board a 19th century fishing
schooner – and to just have a good time. After all the
sails were set, everyone got a chance to be on watch while
underway in Buzzards Bay which meant driving the vessel,
standing bow watch, running hourly boat checks and navigating.
Extra time was spent with the down watches getting oriented to
the ship, exploring the history of the Ernestina and
looking at the ship and the surrounding waters from a
different view point - out on the bowsprit. After striking
sail, dropping anchor in the lee of Sconticut Neck and
enjoying a delicious dinner on deck, rain that had been
threatening on the horizon all afternoon finally arrived. A
rousing evening program involving theatrics and music, was
held in the fish hold. Afterwards, everyone got ready for bed,
turned in and started hourly anchor watches that continued
through the night.
Rain and winds increased overnight, leading to a change in
plans. Instead of sailing out into gale force winds and steady
rain, the Ernestina and her crew returned to dock at
the State Pier in the morning and spent a couple hours below
decks learning about ship construction, ropework and advanced
navigation in the captains cabin.
To wrap up the morning, everyone took a short trip to
explore the New Bedford Whaling Museum before lunch back at
the ship. After a last meeting in the rain around the aft
cabin top, everyone reflected on their experience, commenting
that life on a fishing schooner is hard work and "not the
same in real life as in the movies."
The scouts said farewell to the Ernestina crew and
their borrowed, orange foul weather gear with plan to continue
to enjoy outdoor adventures in the rain.
Program Coordinator: Kristen Sharpless
Captain: Sophie Morse
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The chart image above shows
the green track from May 31st to anchor off Sconticut Neck and
then the shorter track of June 1st back to harbor.
Here is a group shot up at
the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
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Plotting the position and
getting a course off the chart.
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This shot, taken through the
scuttle from deck, captures the hard work going on in the galley
at the end of a meal.
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