New Bedford and Bristol

The last blog post for the Whales 2 group! 

The past three days have been full of educational experiences and adventures. We came to and docked at New Bedford, where students went ashore and visited the famous New Bedford whaling museum. The museum has one of the most incredible collections of humpback whale skeletons, as well as the world's largest ship replica built within the museum itself. The Lagoda replica is built in half-size scale, based off of a whaling ship that was based out of New Bedford. The museum tells the story of how we went from pursuing whales as a source of commerce, to preserving whales as endangered species. As part of this story, the museum covers the history of New Bedford and how it transformed from fishing whales to scallops. Naturally, after spending close to four hours immersed in all the information the museum had to offer, students needed an ice cream break! The captain of the Lady Maryland treated all of the students to ice cream on the dock, overlooking the dozens upon dozens of ships docked at New Bedford. 

From New Bedford we set sail, passing Newport Rhode Island, with some breathtaking views of the riverside. Once we anchored, the Lady Maryland Field Day Started! Students gave the Lady Maryland a deep cleaning by scrubbing the boat from bow to stern. After the boat was fully cleaned, the students themselves had the oppertunity to jump over the side and go for a swim! Once the swimming was done, students grouped up into their watches and started the Schooner Olypmics. The Schooner Olympics is a series of games and relays, designed to test the students on everything they have learned while aboard the Lady Maryland. 

Curious about who won the Schooner Olypmics?  You'll have to ask the students when they get back! 

Students wash dishes and prepare for class while docked in New Bedford. 

Students receive a private tour of the New Bedford whaling museum. 

Students learn about the transition from pursuit to preservation of whales.  

The New Bedford whaling museum has the world's largest ship replica, with a half-size scale model of the Lagoda built inside the museum.  

A view of the Lagoda from the second floor of the museum. 

A view of New Bedford from the top of the whaling museum. 

Students get together with their watches to prepare for the Schooner Olympics. An Olympic style showdown between the port and starboard watch to test students on what they have learned over the past week.