Day 5 on the Lady Maryland

This post was written by Mike and Jesus:

Friday, the Fourth of July, we awoke at 6:10 to haul the anchor and set sail for New Bedford, MA. After breakfast one crew member taught an English lesson that incorporated American History. Later, we broke up to write our own short stories about the sea. When we reached an area called Buzzard's Bay, the cadets aboard the Lady Maryland became volunteer "Baywatchers," by performing numerous scientific tests on the water quality of the surrounding bay.
This data was collected to help inform the conservation efforts of the Coalition for Buzzards Bay, which is dedicated to the restoration, protection, and sustainable use and enjoyment of the bay and its watershed. Using various types of equipment we determined the waters temperature, pH, salinity, and clarity at two different depths. Then through the rough swells and maze of crab pots, we made our way to the dock in New Bedford and had dinner. That night, we watched a patriotic display of fireworks while celebrating with watermelon and grape soda. To end the day, we all retired to our bunks except for the two brave souls who slept on deck.

The following is a sample short story that one of the students on board wrote for their English project about life at sea:

The Twilight Ship

Captain Alexander Hamand watched the sunset from the docks of Havana, Cuba. He was still stunned from the events of the days before. It was 1863 and the American Civil War was still raging. Captain Alexander had been recently promoted and given a ship. The Embroke was a four masted frigate armed with twenty-six long-range cannons that fired specialized exploding shot. She was commissioned as a Union assault frigate.

Weeks earlier a Confederate flotilla began terrorizing trade ships in the Caribbean Sea. A task force was assembled and sent in pursuit of the flotilla. The Embroke being assigned to the fleet, grouped at Havana. After tracking the Confederates for days, they clashed near the Bahamas. The Union won and chased the fleeing rebels. Unable to flee, they retreated to the Bermuda Triangle. The rebels lost ships in the retreat. The Embroke alone set several aflame.

A bright pinpoint of light appeared on the horizon. By the time it was visible night had fallen. It appeared to be a fully-rigged massive man-of-war that gave off an eerie white light. It sailed between the two flotillas, unaffected by the crossfire. Suddenly, it opened up in a powerful sweeping broadside barrage with all 122 guns. The Confederates were gone, decimated by the blast. The Union forces were battered and immediately broke and fled.

The ghost ship followed and was oblivious to the crossfire. Dozens of ships fell prey to the terrifying phantom. The Embroke was the only one left. As they neared the edge of the Bermuda Triangle, the ship stopped firing. The ghost closed the distance. It was so close you could read its name, Hollow Bone. It pulled alongside, its crew became visible. The Hollow Bone was crewed by cursed skeletons, ghosts, and gory zombies.

Then the Embroke crossed the border of the Triangle, and as quickly as it appeared, the Hollow Bone was gone. The Embroke limped back to Havana.
Even the memory of that fateful day scared Alexander to the degree that he shook with fear. He vowed never to sail the Triangle again.