Lady Maryland: It's a Tall Ship Life for Us

What an exciting day for the CTY students aboard the Lady Maryland! We woke up at our anchorage in Niantic Bay this morning surrounded by tall ships that were all gathering for a parade of sail. Two of which were the Cisne Branco, a tall ship of the Brazilian Navy from Rio de Janerio, and the Eagle, a US Coast Guard training vessel. The Amistad, nicknamed the Freedom Schooner, was also sailing the waters. That vessel is particular is packed full of history, and is part of the American story. As we sailed toward our destination for the day, the parade of sail happened behind us, and the students on look out were thrilled to have a job that involved watching the ships.

The students had their first opportunity to use scientific testing equipment today. While one watch was doing “boaty bits,” the other watch was testing the water quality of the Long Island Sound. There were some surprising results! Later the students will compare their results from two different locations and discuss what might cause any differences. The watches then swapped jobs after lunch. The students who were taking care of the boat learned how to navigate using bearings and compasses, and how to use a nautical chart. They also “learned the ropes,” by learning what the different lines on the Lady Maryland are, and what they do.

The students are a bit tired, but over all happy and healthy, and ready for another adventure! As this blog is being written they are on deck doing a squid dissection with Captain Michael. There are so many interesting things to do aboard the Lady Maryland and only so many hours in a day! What better way to prepare for bed than by doing a dissection? No matter how strange it may sound, our students love it! And we all must wonder…what will tomorrow bring?